Going Inside: Healing Trauma from the Inside Out

John Clarke, LPCC

Hosted by licensed trauma therapist John Clarke, LPCC, Going Inside is a podcast on a mission to help you heal from trauma and reconnect with your authentic Self. This show explores trauma healing through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy with detours into EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, and more. Tune in for enlightening guest expert interviews, immersive solo deep dives, real-life therapy sessions, and soothing guided meditations. Learn more about and apply to work 1-1 with John at https://www.johnclarketherapy.com.

Play

Open in

20 episodes
fortnightly
Avg 24 min
English

Episodes 20

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

September 28 · 12 min
IFS Therapy: Going Slow, Staying Curious & Safe
Have a question or takeaway? Send us a message, we read every one. In this episode of Going Inside, John Clarke answers live questions about the nuances of practicing Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, from distinguishing parts with shifting emotions to working with clients who experience limited interoception or sudden activation. He explores why IFS and trauma therapy require slowing down, following the client’s system, building a clear working agreement, and protecting client agency rather than rushing into techniques or trauma processing. 🌿 Key takeaways: Why a part can hold many different emotions and why you don’t need to force parts into fixed categories. What to do when clients experience their parts differently, including limited access to bodily sensations. Why slowing down, following the client’s lead, and creating safety may matter more than rushing into IFS techniques. Resources & Offerings: 📚 Watch my free IFS training for clinicians - 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/@johnclarketherapy ➡️ Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast
- Transcript
August 17 · 44 min
Mark Wolynn: The 'Core Sentence' Behind Generational Trauma
Have a question or takeaway? Send us a message, we read every one. In this episode, John Clarke is joined by Mark Wolynn, leading expert in inherited family trauma and author of It Didn’t Start With You, to explore how trauma can be passed through generations and show up as anxiety, depression, compulsive behaviors, and unexplained fears. We dive into Mark’s approach to identifying trauma language, distinguishing attachment wounds from generational trauma, and using body awareness, healing sentences, and ritual to uncover and work with what may not have started with us. 🌿 Key takeaways: How inherited trauma can show up through symptoms, sensations, and behaviors. How “trauma language” can reveal hidden attachment and generational wounds. Why therapists may need to look beyond childhood when a symptom doesn’t seem to fit. Guest Info: Mark Wolynn (accent on “lynn”) is a leading expert in the field of inherited family trauma. He’s the director of The Family Constellation Institute in the US and is renowned for his work that bridges epigenetics, neuroscience, and somatic healing, and shows how the traumas of our parents, grandparents, and even great grandparents, can live in our bodies as unexplained depression, anxiety, obsessive thoughts, and chronic health conditions. His book It Didn't Start with You is an international bestseller, which has sold more than three million copies worldwide. It won the Silver Nautilus Book Award for Psychology and has been translated into 42 languages. Mark has just released the 2025 revised edition of It Didn't Start with You and The Official It Didn’t Start with You Workbook. Connect with Mark: www.markwolynn.com @markwolynn on Instagram Resources & Offerings: 📚 Watch my free IFS training for clinicians - 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/@johnclarketherapy Grab 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
- Transcript
August 10 · 18 min
Session Fatigue, Grief, & Couples Work
Have a question or takeaway? Send us a message, we read every one. In this Q&A episode, trauma therapist John Clarke answers some of the most common questions therapists have about practicing Internal Family Systems (IFS), from working with grief and couples to avoiding over-intellectualization in sessions. Whether you're new to IFS or learning how to integrate it into your existing therapeutic approach, this episode offers practical guidance on staying grounded in self, trusting the process, and helping clients move beyond insight into genuine healing. 🌿 Key takeaways: 1. Why IFS sessions should feel natural, not exhausting, and what fatigue may be telling you. 2. How to help clients shift from analyzing their parts to truly being with them. 3. Practical ways to integrate IFS into CBT, somatic therapy, and other therapeutic approaches without losing the heart of the model. Resources & Offerings: 📚 Watch my free IFS training for clinicians - 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/@johnclarketherapy ➡️ Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast
- Transcript
July 20 · 12 min
IFS Therapy: Trailheads, Transference, and Treating Firefighters
Have a question or takeaway? Send us a message, we read every one. In this episode, John Clarke answers therapists' questions about applying Internal Family Systems (IFS) in real clinical practice. Learn how to begin an IFS session, recognize when your own therapist parts are activated, work skillfully with client triggers, and approach even highly protective parts with curiosity, compassion, and confidence. 🌿 Key takeaways: 1. How to naturally introduce IFS in a client's very first session. 2. Learn to tell the difference between therapist parts and Self-energy during sessions. 3. Why every protector, from scrolling to eating disorders, deserves the same compassionate approach. Resources & Offerings: 📚 Watch my free IFS training for clinicians - 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/@johnclarketherapy ➡️ Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast
- Transcript
July 13 · 38 min
Breaking the Narcissistic Abuse Cycle | With Emily Barker
Have a question or takeaway? Send us a message, we read every one. This episode of Going Inside examines the narcissistic abuse cycle, trauma bonding, and why leaving isn't as simple as it looks - through both a clinical and IFS lens. Key takeaways 🌿 The 4-stage cycle that keeps people trapped in narcissistic relationships 🌿 Why trauma bonding can feel like an addiction 🌿 What IFS reveals about the parts behind narcissistic behavior 🌿 How to meet clients where they are, even mid-cycle 🌿 What it really takes to rebuild identity after abuse About Our Guest Emily is the founder of Emily Jane Guidance. Emily works with people who are rebuilding their lives after trauma, difficult relationships, and major life challenges, combining her counselling training, psychology studies, and personal experience to offer practical and compassionate support. Her mission is simple: to help people feel seen, regain their confidence, and create a future that feels truly their own. Connect with Emily here: https://www.emilyjaneguidance.com/ Instagram, TikTok & Facebook: @emilyjaneguidance Resources & Offerings 📚 Watch my free IFS training for clinicians - 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/@johnclarketherapy Grab 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
- Transcript
June 22 · 20 min
Avoiding Protector Bypass in IFS Therapy
Have a question or takeaway? Send us a message, we read every one. In this episode of Going Inside Live, John Clarke answers therapist questions about some of the most common challenges in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, including working with protectors, accessing exiles, recognizing self-like parts, and navigating storytelling in sessions. John explores why rushing toward exiles can undermine safety, how therapists can deepen client work without forcing the process, and what it truly means to practice from self-energy. 🌿 Key takeaways: 1. Why "getting to the exile" is often the wrong goal and how protector bypass can create risks in IFS therapy 2. How to recognize when clients are talking about parts versus genuinely being with their parts. 3. Practical guidance for interrupting stories, deepening internal focus, and helping clients move toward meaningful healing work. Resources & Offerings: 📚 Watch my free IFS training for clinicians - 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/@johnclarketherapy ➡️ Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast
- Transcript
June 8 · 19 min
ADHD, Protectors, and Self-Energy: An IFS Q&A
Have a question or takeaway? Send us a message, we read every one. In this live Q&A episode of Going Inside, John Clarke answers some of the most common questions therapists have about Internal Family Systems, including how to recognize true Self-energy, work with protectors, and navigate diagnoses like ADHD from an IFS perspective. Along the way, he shares why slowing down, honoring hesitation, and building trust with the system are often the keys to deeper healing. Inside this Conversation: How can you tell the difference between a protector that needs more time and one that's simply blocking the work? What does true Self-energy actually look and feel like? How does IFS make sense of diagnoses like ADHD? 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/JOHN Connect with me: https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/ https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/ https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapy https://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapy ➡️ Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast
- Transcript
May 25 · 28 min
Live IFS Session with Deliane | Internal Family Systems Demo
Have a question or takeaway? Send us a message, we read every one. In this vulnerable IFS demo, Deliane explores the emotional weight she carries in relationships and the protective parts behind her defensiveness and exhaustion. Together, John and Deliane uncover how sensitivity, longing for connection, and emotional protection become deeply intertwined - and how healing begins when protective parts finally feel seen. 3 Key Takeaways Why emotional exhaustion can actually be a form of protection The hidden reason some relationships leave us constantly on guard What changes when you can help your clients access a deeper sense of safety and connection Guest, Deliane Couturier Deliane lives and has a private practice in Redondo Beach. She has been in practice for 35 years helping adults navigate relationships, trauma, anxiety, and life transitions. She recently completed Level One training with Ralph Cohen, finished a one-year course in Compassionate Inquiry, and is certified as an IMAGO therapist, applying mindfulness meditation and practices and using a variety of trauma-informed approaches, ranging from expressive arts to cognitive therapy. 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/JOHN Connect with me: https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/ https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/ https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapy https://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapy Grab 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
- Transcript
May 18 · 15 min
Why Therapists Should Never Work Harder Than Clients
Have a question or takeaway? Send us a message, we read every one. In this live Q&A episode, John Clarke answers listener questions about IFS therapy, shame, addiction, protectors, and self-energy. He explores why therapists often burn themselves out by working harder than their clients, why slowing down is essential for healing, and what it really means to trust the client’s system in the therapeutic process. Key Takeaways Why “don’t work harder than your clients” may completely change the way you approach therapy, relationships, and helping others. How protectors learn to trust the healing process — and what actually creates safety for vulnerable exiles to emerge. The surprising reason good therapy often feels slower, more tedious, and less linear than we expect. 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/JOHN Connect with me: https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/ https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/ https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapy https://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapy ➡️ Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast
- Transcript
May 4 · 40 min
Why Therapists Struggle with IFS (And What Helps)
Have a question or takeaway? Send us a message, we read every one. In this episode, I’m joined by Teddy Knebel, an IFS therapist and long-time Program Assistant for IFS trainings, to explore what it really looks like to grow into your voice as a therapist. We talk about the anxiety that shows up when learning IFS, how to relate to parts that want to “get it right,” and why trusting your own unique style is essential to effective therapy. If you’re new to IFS or looking to deepen your practice, this conversation will help you feel more grounded, confident, and connected in your work. 🌿 Key takeaways: Most therapists think they need to “get IFS right”… but what if that pressure is the very thing getting in the way? You’ve been taught to follow the model—but what happens when your own style starts to emerge? Anxiety in the therapy room isn’t a mistake… it might be pointing you toward something essential. Guest Info: Teddy Knebel is an Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist working with individuals and couples in the DMV area. He has served as a Program Assistant (PA) for over 20 IFS Level 1 and Level 2 trainings through the IFS Institute, supporting therapists as they learn and embody the model. Teddy is passionate about helping both clinicians and clients navigate personal, cultural, and systemic trauma, and brings a grounded, human, and often humorous approach to the work. Connect with Teddy: https://ifs-institute.com/practitioners/all/112124 More about the Virtual Blue Star: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xQa7dxpWYA Resources & Offerings: 📚 Watch my free IFS training for clinicians - 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/@johnclarketherapy Grab 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
- Transcript
April 27 · 20 min
Stop Guessing: Real vs Fake Parts Work in IFS
Have a question or takeaway? Send us a message, we read every one. ➡️ Free IFS Training for Therapists: From Burnout to Balance: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast In this live Q&A episode, John Clarke dives into one of the most common (and important) questions in Internal Family Systems (IFS): how to distinguish authentic parts communication from imagined responses. He explores what real connection feels like, why “waiting and listening” matters, and how to spot when a client is genuinely accessing parts versus performing or guessing. We also unpack key challenges therapists face in session, including working with analytical clients, navigating multiple parts without shutting them down, and responding to dissociation with more care and curiosity. Key Takeaways The Difference Between Real vs. “Made Up” Parts. Most people think they’re connecting with parts… but they’re actually guessing. Here’s how to tell the difference. Why You Shouldn’t Rush Parts to Step Aside.What if asking a part to “step back” is actually damaging your work? There’s a better way most therapists miss. What Dissociation Is Really Telling You. Dissociation isn’t the problem—it’s a signal. The question is: what is it trying to protect your client from? 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/JOHN Connect with me: https://www.johnclarketherapy.com https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/ https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapy https://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapy ➡️ Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast
- Transcript
April 20 · 44 min
IFS Therapy in Practice: Beyond the Training Model with Monica Cavalcante
Have a question or takeaway? Send us a message, we read every one. In this episode of Going Inside, I sit down with Monica Cavalcante, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, to explore what Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy really looks like beyond the structure of formal training. Monica shares her journey from self-study to completing Level 2 IFS training, and how her understanding of the model has evolved through real-world client work. Together, we unpack the gap between theory and practice, the importance of therapist self-awareness, and why IFS is far more complex—and powerful—than it first appears. 3 Key Takeaways Why trying to “get IFS right” might actually get in the way of the work The moment therapists realize the model isn’t as simple as it seemed What most people miss when they try to “figure out” their inner world Our Guest Monica Cavalcante is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Virginia who specializes in trauma and OCD. She integrates Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to support clients in understanding themselves more deeply, reducing anxiety, and creating meaningful, lasting change. Monica is passionate about helping people build a more compassionate relationship with themselves by exploring the different “parts” that show up in their inner world. Her work focuses on supporting clients in moving through trauma, navigating obsessive-compulsive patterns, and feeling more grounded, connected, and empowered in their lives. She is the founder of Healing & Integration Therapy, where she offers both in-person and virtual sessions, bringing a thoughtful, down-to-earth, and integrative approach to her work. Connect with Monica: https://healingintegrationtherapy.com/ 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/JOHN Connect with me: https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/ https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/ https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapy https://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapy Grab 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
- Transcript
April 13 · 6 min
Stop Fixing Yourself & Your Clients: An IFS Meditation
Have a question or takeaway? Send us a message, we read every one. ➡️ Free IFS Training for Therapists: From Burnout to Balance: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast In this guided IFS meditation, John Clarke invites you to slow down and shift out of the habit of trying to fix yourself. Instead, you’ll practice simply being with what’s present—your thoughts, sensations, and parts—without judgment or urgency to change anything. This is the same process you’re inviting your clients into. Through gentle awareness, body-based attention, and pendulation between discomfort and ease, this meditation offers a direct experience of what it means to relate differently to your internal world—something you can begin to model and bring into your clinical work. Whether you're a therapist or on your own healing journey, this short practice is a powerful reminder: transformation doesn’t come from fixing—it comes from being with. 3 Key Takeaways What happens when you stop trying to change anything at all? This meditation invites you into a different kind of awareness—where nothing needs to be fixed. You can learn to be with discomfort without getting overwhelmed by it. By gently noticing sensations and “pendulating” between ease and tension, something shifts. Not all parts of you will like slowing down—and that’s part of the work. You may notice judgment, resistance, or urgency… and you can be with those parts too. 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/JOHN Connect with me: https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/ https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/ https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapy https://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapy ➡️ Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast
- Transcript
April 6 · 15 min
The #1 IFS Mistake Therapists Keep Making
Have a question or takeaway? Send us a message, we read every one. In this live Q&A episode, John Clarke dives into one of the most common and often overlooked mistakes therapists make when practicing Internal Family Systems (IFS). From working with persistent protectors to recognizing when therapy feels stuck, John shares practical insights to help therapists deepen their work, stay relational with parts, and foster true self-leadership in their clients. If you’ve ever wondered why your IFS work isn’t creating the change you expect, this episode offers a powerful reframe. Key Takeaways Many therapists unintentionally dismiss parts by asking them to “step aside”—but what if that approach is actually disrupting the healing process? Feeling “stuck” in therapy isn’t always about going too slow—there’s a deeper distinction that can transform your clinical intuition. The real skill that changes everything in IFS isn’t what you think—it’s simpler, but far more powerful when mastered. 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/JOHN Connect with me: https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/ https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/ https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapy https://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapy ➡️ Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast
- Transcript
March 9 · 28 min
IFS Therapy: Parts Work, Panic & Protectors
Have a question or takeaway? Send us a message, we read every one. In this episode, John Clarke answers therapists’ questions about applying Internal Family Systems in real clinical situations. Topics include working with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), perfectionistic protector parts, and fear-based panic responses. John also shares a simple lens that can change how therapists understand client behavior. 3 Key Takeaways A simple framework that can change how you interpret what clients say in session. Why therapy stalls and how slowing down with protector parts changes the work. The question that helps high-functioning clients reconnect with their true Self. 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/JOHN Connect with me: https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/ https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/ https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapy https://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapy Grab 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
- Transcript
March 2 · 37 min
When Kundalini Awakening Feels Like Trauma
Have a question or takeaway? Send us a message, we read every one. What happens when a spiritual awakening feels more like a psychological breakdown? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Peter Legård Nielsen to explore spontaneous Kundalini awakenings through the lens of IFS. Peter shares his own harrowing experience of a sudden awakening at age 18 that led to insomnia, terror, and years of destabilization, and how IFS ultimately helped him transform that trauma into integration, healing, and meaning. We explore how to discern Kundalini energy from trauma responses or unattached burdens, how therapists can safely approach this territory, and why relationship — not suppression — may be the key to working with overwhelming spiritual energy. 3 Key Takeaways When awakening feels like trauma. What if the key to integration isn’t shutting the energy down… but building a relationship with it? How to distinguish between benevolent spiritual energy and destructive forces — and why intention matters. Our Guest Peter Legård Nielsen is a writer of fiction and non-fiction, a certified IFS therapist and organizer of the official IFS trainings in the Nordic countries, as well as a certified advanced Rolfer. 📘 Book: Spontaneous Kundalini Awakenings: Healing the Damage Through IFS https://www.amazon.com/Spontaneous-Kundalini-Awakenings-Healing-Through/dp/8785223042 🌐 Author Website: www.peterlegaardnielsen.dk 📧 Email: peter@alle-dele-er-velkomne.dk 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peter.nielsen.3950178 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063352442892 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/JOHN Connect with me: https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/ https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/ https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapy https://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapy Grab 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
- Transcript
February 23 · 24 min
IFS Protectors, ADHD & Work Addiction
Have a question or takeaway? Send us a message, we read every one. ➡️ Free IFS Training for Therapists: From Burnout to Balance: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast In this live Q&A episode of Going Inside, I answer real-time questions from therapists about high-achieving clients, ADHD and over-functioning, shutdown responses during trauma work, and the deeper question: are memories actually parts? We explore how protector parts drive work addiction, why some clients can’t stop checking email, what’s really happening when someone gets sleepy during parts work, and how polarized masculine protectors impact relationships. This episode dives into the subtle complexities of IFS while keeping it grounded and practical for therapists in the room. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re moving too fast in trauma work — or whether a client’s ambition is actually fear in disguise — this one’s for you. Key Takeaways How high achievement can actually be a trauma strategy. Sleepiness in session is rarely random. Are memories actually parts? 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/JOHN Connect with me: https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/ https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/ https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapy https://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapy Grab 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
- Transcript
February 16 · 6 min
Accessing Self Energy: A 6-Minute Reset for Therapists
Have a question or takeaway? Send us a message, we read every one. What if you could access clarity, compassion, and grounded leadership in just a few minutes? In this short guided meditation, John invites you to pause and take inventory of what you’re carrying — from your professional roles to your personal responsibilities — and reconnect with Self energy. This practice helps you shift from doing to being, from reacting to leading from the heart. Whether you’re between sessions or starting your day, this 6-minute reset is a simple way to return to your center. 3 Key Takeaways Discover what you are carrying right now that isn’t even yours Identify what would change if you led from your heart today Reveal where your Self Energy comes from 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/JOHN Connect with me: https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/ https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/ https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapy https://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapy ➡️ Free Training - Learn how to integrate the principles of IFS into your therapy practice: https://go.johnclarketherapy.com/ifs-webinar-podcast
- Transcript
February 9 · 23 min
IFS or SE First? The Grounding Debate Therapists Face
Have a question or takeaway? Send us a message, we read every one. In this live Q&A episode of Going Inside, John Clarke dives deep into the intersection of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Somatic Experiencing (SE). Therapists asked real questions about how to ground clients with complex trauma, whether SE can bypass protectors, and how to handle burnout, fear of messing up, and imposter syndrome. John offers raw, nuanced insights—from co-regulation to clinical contracting—that will resonate with any trauma-informed therapist striving to do deeper, more relational work. 🔑 3 Key Takeaways Is SE bypassing your client’s protectors? Learn how to spot subtle protector bypassing even with gentle somatic work—and how IFS can help re-establish choice and agency. Why grounding may be overemphasized: John challenges the assumption that therapists must ground first, proposing self-energy and relational presence as grounding in itself. Burnout starts with belief systems: Discover how internal polarizations and unexamined fears silently drive overworking—and how IFS can unwind the deeper exile dynamics. 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/JOHN Grab 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
- Transcript
January 26 · 25 min
AI, Exiles & Ethics in IFS What Therapists Must Know
Have a question or takeaway? Send us a message, we read every one. In this episode of Going Inside Live, John Clarke unpacks some of the most pressing questions therapists are facing today. From the ethical risks of moving too fast with exiles in IFS therapy, to how AI is already being used by clients and therapists alike, this episode offers grounded insight and practical advice. Whether you're navigating parts work or exploring how AI tools fit into your practice, John’s perspective will help you deepen your skill and awareness as a therapist. 3 Key Takeaways: Why rushing toward exiles in IFS can backfire — and how to rebuild trust in the system when it happens. How therapists and clients are already using AI tools to process sessions — and the ethical gray areas to consider. A therapist's real role: Why "focusing, deepening, and relating" might be more important than fixing. 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/JOHN Connect with me: https://www.johnclarketherapy.com/ https://www.instagram.com/johnclarketherapy/ https://www.tiktok.com/@johnclarketherapy https://www.youtube.com/@johnclarketherapy Grab 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
- Transcript

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes