Our true Self is a source of healing, compassion, and wisdom, available to all of us if we learn to access it.

— Richard Schwartz, founder of IFS

Often people come to therapy because they are tired of struggling against unwanted thoughts, feelings, or behaviors. In Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, we take a different approach. We work with parts, seeking to understand their good intentions and how they came to operate in the ways they do. There are no bad parts — meaning symptoms we seek to heal started as well-intentioned ways to cope with pain.

I specialize in helping academics, intellectuals, parents, and professionals overcome exhausting patterns of stress, burnout, self-doubt, and "never enough." By going beyond coping skills and intellectual insight, Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy allows you to reconnect with your body’s wisdom and address the root causes of painful patterns, creating change that is meaningful and holistic.

At the heart of my approach to therapy is a warm, supportive relationship where you feel understood, welcomed, and valued exactly as you are. I also believe therapy can and should go beyond warmth and listening. IFS therapy offers a deeply compassionate view of human nature and a concrete framework for making progress toward meaningful, long-lasting change.

Let’s get started

Feeling understood, welcomed, and valued in therapy is essential. It matters to find a therapist who feels like a good fit.

If you would like to explore working together, please fill out the form on this page to request a free 15-minute phone consultation. You’re also welcome to reach out via phone, text, or email:

Email: hattie@hattiebluestone.com
Phone: (805) 364-3090

Session fee: $180 for individual counseling sessions.

Insurance: I do not accept insurance but do provide monthly superbills for out-of-network reimbursement.

I am a Level 2 Trained IFS therapist with over 8 years of experience helping people heal and reconnect with themselves using the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model. I work with adults, couples, and families—both in person in Santa Barbara, CA, and online.

IFS therapy can be used to address a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, harsh self-criticism, chronic anger, interpersonal challenges, and trauma.

Benefits of IFS Therapy:

  • A more compassionate, grounded relationship with yourself

  • Freedom from painful emotional and behavioral patterns

  • Deeper self-understanding and healing of past wounds

  • More authenticity and connection in relationships

  • A greater sense of ease, confidence, and clarity

My hope is that IFS therapy helps you feel more at home within yourself, and more connected in your life. You don’t need to have it all figured out before starting therapy. Just bring yourself—as you are. All of you is welcome here.

Areas of Specialization

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy

  • Mindfulness and Self-Compassion

  • Somatic therapy

  • Psychodynamic therapy

  • Academics, intellectuals, and professionals

  • Adults, couples, and families

  • Relationship and parenting challenges

  • Anxiety and Panic

  • Depression

  • Harsh Inner Critics and Perfectionism

  • Self-confidence, Shame, and Imposter Syndrome

  • Stress and Burnout

  • Disordered Eating and Body Image

  • Substance Use and Compulsive behaviors

  • Grief and Life transitions