Going Inside: Healing Trauma from the Inside Out

• What to Do When IFS Feels Stuck (Protectors, Direct Access & More)

  In this solo Going Inside Live episode, John Clarke dives deep into what to do when your IFS sessions hit a wall - when clients feel shut down, protectors won’t budge, and insight isn’t working. Whether you’re facing “I don’t know” responses, feeling stuck as a therapist, or unsure how to use direct access effectively, this episode gives you grounded, real-world strategies to move forward. Plus: John shares how he maps parts in-session, stays in Self, and supports clients (and himself) through stuckness.Key TakeawaysWhy insight isn’t always enough and what to do when your client says “I don’t know” or can’t connect with a partHow to use Direct Access in a way that doesn’t feel clunky including exact scripts and therapist mindset shiftsParts mapping made simple John’s favorite iPad-based method for tracking systems across sessionsResources & OfferingsFree IFS Training for Therapists: From Burnout to Balance: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast1-Month Grace Period with Jane – Use code JOHN or visit: https://meet.jane.app/john-clarke-ambassador10% Off at Grounding Well – Use code GWJOHNCLARKE or visit: https://www.groundingwell.com/GWJOHNCLARKE10% Off at Dharma Dr. – Use code JOHN or visit: https://dharmadr.com/JOHNConnect with mehttps://www.johnclarketherapy.com/https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapyhttps://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapyhttps://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapyGrab Your Seat for the Free IFS Webinar Here: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast➡️ Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast

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• Transforming Shame with Parts Work: The Self-Love Triangle

  What if your inner critic, your shame, and your perfectionism are all working together in secret? In this episode, John Clarke sits down with Jessica Fern and David Cooley, authors of Transforming the Shame Triangle: From Shame to Love Using Parts Work, to explore the unconscious internal system that keeps us stuck—and how to break free. Whether you're a therapist, coach, or someone doing deep inner work, this conversation introduces a powerful IFS-inspired framework for turning shame into compassion and healing from the inside out.Key Takeaways:Why shame is rarely just one part—and how inner critics, shame, and escapers work in a triangleHow to transform the inner critic into an inner coach and move toward self-led healingThe hidden connection between shame and “success”—and why high-functioning clients often stay stuck👤 Guests: Jessica Fern & David CooleyJessica Fern is a therapist, certified trauma professional, and trained IFS practitioner with 25+ years of experience across somatic, narrative, and psychospiritual healing modalities. She's the internationally recognized author of Polysecure, The Polysecure Workbook, and Polywise. Through her international private practice, she helps clients break free from trauma, insecure attachment, and reactive relational patterns.🌐 Learn more: JessicaFern.com📧 Contact: [email protected]📸 Instagram: @jessicafern411David Cooley is a restorative justice facilitator, cultural broker, and creator of the Restorative Relationship Conversations model. He works with LGBTQ+ and non-monogamous partnerships through a trauma-informed, attachment-based lens—integrating narrative theory, somatic work, and mindfulness.🌐 Learn more: RestorativeRelationship.com📸 Instagram: @rrconversations📖 Their new book: Transforming the Shame Triangle — available wherever books are sold.Resources & Offerings:➡️ Free IFS Training for Therapists: From Burnout to Balance: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast ➡️ 1-Month Grace Period with Jane – Use code JOHN or visit: https://meet.jane.app/john-clarke-ambassador ➡️ 10% Off at Grounding Well – Use code GWJOHNCLARKE or visit: https://www.groundingwell.com/GWJOHNCLARKE ➡️ 10% Off at Dharma Dr. – Use code JOHN or visit: https://dharmadr.com/JOHNConnect with me:https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/ https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/ https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapy https://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapyGrab Your Seat for the Free IFS Webinar Here: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast➡️ Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast

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• Can IFS Therapy Be Dangerous? What You Need to Know

  In this episode of Going Inside Live, John Clarke tackles a wide range of real-time questions from therapists, including a provocative one: Can Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy actually be harmful? John explores the nuances of working with protectors, polarization, dissociation, DID, and the ethical concerns therapists face when practicing powerful modalities like IFS.Whether you're an IFS practitioner or just curious about parts work, this episode is filled with candid insights and clinical gems to deepen your therapeutic presence.3 Key Takeaways:Why IFS Might Be “Too Powerful” – Learn how bypassing protectors or diving too quickly into exile work can actually destabilize clients.Can IFS Work With DID and Severe Dissociation? – John explores how IFS adapts to extreme trauma, alters, and fractured systems — and what not to do.The Therapist’s Shadow – Why certification doesn’t guarantee safety, and how even well-trained therapists can unintentionally cause harm.Resources & Offerings:➡️ Free IFS Training for Therapists: From Burnout to Balance: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast➡️ 1-Month Grace Period with Jane – Use code JOHN or visit: https://meet.jane.app/john-clarke-ambassador➡️ 10% Off at Grounding Well – Use code GWJOHNCLARKE or visit: https://www.groundingwell.com/GWJOHNCLARKE➡️ 10% Off at Dharma Dr. – Use code JOHN or visit: https://dharmadr.com/JOHNConnect with me:https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapyhttps://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapyGrab Your Seat for the Free IFS Webinar Here: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast➡️ Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast

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• Why Insight Work Fails—and How to Go Deeper with IFS

  When clients say “I don’t know” in session, it can feel like hitting a wall. In this live Q&A episode, John Clarke breaks down what’s really happening when insight work stalls—and how Internal Family Systems (IFS) offers a radically different way forward. From hypoarousal and hopelessness to therapist parts that want to fix everything, this episode gives practical strategies for going deeper, staying in self, and navigating the complexity of parts work. Whether you're doing IFS solo or with clients, you'll walk away with tools, insights, and a deeper respect for the process.Key Takeaways:Why “I don’t know” often signals a lack of self-energy—not resistanceWhat to do when your therapist parts want to jump in and fixHow IFS goes beyond insight and into direct internal transformationResources & Offerings:➡️ Free IFS Training for Therapists: From Burnout to Balance: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast ➡️ 1-Month Grace Period with Jane – Use code JOHN or visit: https://meet.jane.app/john-clarke-ambassador ➡️ 10% Off at Grounding Well – Use code GWJOHNCLARKE or visit: https://www.groundingwell.com/GWJOHNCLARKE ➡️ 10% Off at Dharma Dr. – Use code JOHN or visit: https://dharmadr.com/JOHN Connect with me:https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/ https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/ https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapy https://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapyGrab Your Seat for the Free IFS Webinar Here: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast➡️ Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast

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• Cece Sykes on IFS, Addiction & The Power of Choice

  In this episode of Going Inside, John Clarke sits down with the legendary Cece Sykes, IFS trainer, therapist, and pioneer in the field of addiction recovery, for a rich, open-ended conversation about the complex dance between trauma, addictive processes, and the healing power of choice.Together, they break down a real client demo, the challenges therapists face when healing feels urgent, and how the IFS model bridges the gap between trauma treatment and addiction recovery. 3 Key TakeawaysWhat if your inner critic isn’t you — but your parent’s energy?When speed becomes a symptom, not a solution.The 9th “C” of Self you’ve never heard of (but really need).👤 Guest: Cece SykesCece Sykes, LCSW, has over 40 years of clinical experience treating trauma and addiction. She is a senior lead trainer for the Internal Family Systems (IFS) Institute, and has trained therapists all over the world on how to use IFS to work with addictive processes and legacy burdens.📧 Contact: [email protected] & Offerings:➡️ Free IFS Training for Therapists: From Burnout to Balance: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast➡️ 1-Month Grace Period with Jane – Use code JOHN or visit: https://meet.jane.app/john-clarke-ambassador➡️ 10% Off at Grounding Well – Use code GWJOHNCLARKE or visit: https://www.groundingwell.com/GWJOHNCLARKE➡️ 10% Off at Dharma Dr. – Use code JOHN or visit: https://dharmadr.com/JOHNConnect with me:https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapyhttps://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapyGrab Your Seat for the Free IFS Webinar Here: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast➡️ Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast

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