How do I know if Lisa Chen & Associates is the right fit for me?

We offer a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation. It's a chance to get to know us, understand our approach, and see if we align with your needs. The purpose of an initial consultation is to determine if you are a good fit for working together. You can expect a 15–20 minute conversation where you will have the opportunity to share your concerns, goals, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. This is also a chance for you to ask questions and get a sense of the therapist's approach and personality.

Our fees range from $180 to $350 per 50-minute session based on the clinician's experience, specialized training, and services provided. Lisa Chen's fees are $350 per 50-minute session for both individual and couples counseling. Licensed Client Session fees are $200 for individual and $225 for couples counseling per 50-minute session. Associate Clinician fees are $180 for individual and $200 for couples counseling per 50-minute session. We also reserve spots for clients requesting a sliding-scale rate to accommodate financial needs.

Do you accept insurance?

Lisa Chen & Associates are out-of-network providers. We provide monthly insurance statements ('Superbills') for you to seek partial reimbursement from your insurance company according to your policy. For questions about your out-of-network benefits, please contact your insurance carrier before scheduling.

What is your cancellation policy?

Weekly clients are allowed 3 free cancellations every 6 months, and bi-weekly clients are allowed 2 free cancellations every 6 months, beginning from the date of your first session. You will be responsible for payment for your normally scheduled session time for all cancelled appointments beyond this. Please provide at least 48 hours' notice for cancellations. You may always choose to reschedule and/or take sessions virtually to accommodate occasional scheduling conflicts.

How often should I expect to meet?

We recommend weekly therapy sessions for optimal progress. However, there are times when clients prefer to meet twice a week for more complex challenges. During your initial phone consultation, let us know if you are interested in more frequent sessions.

Are you offering in-person sessions?

Yes, we are seeing clients in our South Bay office located at 2615 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 326, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. We also offer telehealth sessions for California residents.

How do I get started with counseling?

The first step is to schedule an initial consultation by calling our office or submitting the contact form on our website. This allows us to understand your needs and match you with the best therapist for your situation. From there, we'll work with you to schedule ongoing sessions.

3 Ways IFIO and EMDR Therapy Help Couples Heal Trauma and Build Lasting Intimacy

Mar 3

Written By Lisa Chen

Quick Summary

Lisa Chen, LMFT, explores how combining IFIO (Intimacy From the Inside Out) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can transform relationships. She outlines three benefits: (1) deepening self-awareness by uncovering internal parts and healing past trauma, (2) enhancing communication with empathy and curiosity, and (3) repairing old wounds to build lasting intimacy. Together, IFIO and EMDR help couples create a secure emotional foundation.

Introduction

As a Los Angeles-based IFIO and EMDR therapist specializing in couples therapy, I’ve witnessed how powerful these two approaches can be when combined. IFIO therapy, also known as IFS Couples Therapy, helps partners explore their inner emotional worlds, while EMDR therapy processes unresolved trauma that often fuels relationship triggers. This integration goes beyond surface-level communication to create lasting emotional safety and connection.

In this blog, we’ll explore what IFIO therapy is and three ways that IFIO, alongside EMDR therapy, can help couples heal and flourish.

What is IFIO Therapy?

Intimacy From The Inside Out (IFIO) therapy is based on the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model by Toni Herbine-Blank. IFIO therapy recognizes that each individual carries within them a complex system of thoughts, emotions, and beliefs. Couples can gain insight into their behaviors and patterns within the relationship by exploring these internal dynamics. Additionally, IFIO therapy aims to help couples feel loved, safe, understood, and to build intimacy for their unit of two. This therapy approach is experiential and process-oriented, focusing on the foundational principles of Internal Family Systems therapy.

When combined with EMDR therapy for couples, IFIO’s focus on parts exploration is enhanced by EMDR’s ability to resolve traumatic memories and emotional charges stored in the nervous system.”

How IFIO Therapy Can Improve Your Relationship:

Deepening Self-Awareness: In IFIO therapy, we start by exploring each partner's internal world. This means delving into their thoughts, feelings, and past experiences that shape their behaviors. By gaining a deeper understanding of themselves, individuals can communicate their needs and desires more effectively. For example, one client I worked with, let's call her Sarah, struggled with expressing her feelings to her partner. Through IFIO therapy, she discovered underlying fears of vulnerability stemming from childhood experiences. As she began to understand and heal these wounds, Sarah found it easier to open up to her partner, leading to greater intimacy in their relationship. Integrating EMDR helps couples uncover and process the root memories driving the protective parts revealed in IFIO work.
Enhancing Communication: Communication is the cornerstone of any healthy relationship. IFIO therapy helps couples improve their communication by teaching them to listen and understand each other's internal experiences. I remember a couple, Alex and Jamie, who came to me with constant conflicts over seemingly trivial issues. Through IFIO therapy, they learned to communicate with empathy and curiosity, rather than defensiveness. They started asking questions like, "What part of me is feeling hurt right now?" or "Can you tell me more about the fear behind your reaction?" These questions opened up new avenues of understanding and empathy, leading to more meaningful conversations.
Healing Past Wounds: EMDR therapy is especially effective here—it targets the nervous system memories behind old trust injuries while IFIO provides a compassionate relational container. Often, unresolved past wounds can unknowingly affect our present relationships. IFIO therapy provides a safe space for couples to explore and heal these wounds together. I recall a couple, Mark and Emily, who struggled with trust issues due to past betrayals. Through IFIO therapy, they uncovered the parts of themselves that carried pain and mistrust. By working through these issues together, they not only healed individually but also strengthened their bond as a couple.

Factors that influence intimate relationships between couples encompass a wide range of aspects such as intergenerational influences, religious and spiritual beliefs, gender dynamics, sexual preferences, cultural influences, and the burden of legacy. Additionally, the level of connectedness to extended family or a self-made community plays a crucial role in shaping and maintaining intimate relationships.

Three Phases of IFS Couples Therapy

IFIO therapy consists of three main phases that guide the therapeutic process for couples. Integrating EMDR into these phases helps couples not only map and repair cycles but also release the emotional weight of past experiences stored in their nervous systems.

Phase 1, known as the Beginning phase, involves the couple presenting their relationship dynamics, including hopes, goals, challenges, and fears. This is where they are introduced to the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, learning about the potential for positive transformations.
In Phase 2, called Eddies and Flows, the couple engages in non-linear protocols aimed at establishing secure internal connections while maintaining a secure connection with each other. By identifying and tracking negative cycles within the relationship, they are able to recognize how unmet needs for safety, connection, or love contribute to conflicts. Through this process, partners engage in internal healing work with the support of a compassionate witness.
The final phase, Phase 3 (Ending), focuses on repair and envisioning the future together. Couples practice resolution and forgiveness, working towards a relationship that acknowledges and embraces differences with love and mutual respect, ultimately forming a shared vision for their future together.

Conclusion

Intimacy From The Inside Out (IFIO) therapy, also known as IFS Couples Therapy, offers a powerful framework for couples seeking to deepen their connection and understanding. Integrating EMDR with IFIO therapy offers couples a deeper, trauma-informed approach to repairing and strengthening their bond.

As an IFIO therapist in Los Angeles offering Telehealth services and in-person therapy, I have seen the impact it can have on relationships. By delving into your internal world and understanding your partner's, IFIO therapy can transform communication, enhance intimacy, and heal past wounds. If you're searching for "IFS couples therapy near me" or "IFIO therapists Telehealth," or “couples therapy near me” consider reaching out. Together, we can embark on a journey to strengthen your relationship from the inside out.

Whether you’re searching for ‘EMDR therapist in Los Angeles,’ ‘EMDR couples therapy in Hermosa Beach,’ or ‘IFS couples therapy near me,’ this integrated approach can help you heal past trauma and create lasting intimacy.

Feel free to contact me, Lisa Chen an IFIO therapist in California who works with couples and IFS-trained therapist, to learn more about how IFIO therapy can benefit your relationship.

FAQs

1. How does IFIO deepen self-awareness?
By guiding each partner to explore internal parts—fears, defense patterns, unmet attachment needs—leading to richer self-understanding and clarity.

2. How does IFIO improve communication?
It teaches compassionate listening with curiosity: partners ask about the feelings behind reactions (“What’s the part of you feeling hurt?”) fostering empathetic, non-defensive dialogue.

3. How does IFIO contribute to healing?
Couples work through old wounds with IFS tools, reduce reactive cycles, and co-create rituals for accountability, forgiveness, and relational growth.

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Lisa Chen https://www.lisachentherapy.com