IFS-Informed Therapy in Fort Wayne for Teens and Young Adults
Understand the parts of you that worry, criticize, or shut down, and build a calmer relationship with yourself. Licensed Mental Health Counselor | Ages 13 to 25 only | In person and virtual | EMDR trained and IFS-informed
Internal Family Systems Therapy With Destina Rekeweg, LMHC
Unwilted Counseling offers IFS-informed therapy for teens and young adults in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and online across Indiana and eligible parts of Ohio. Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, developed by family therapist Richard Schwartz, works with the different “parts” of a person, like the inner critic, the people-pleaser, or the part that shuts down under stress.
IFS therapy at Unwilted is collaborative and paced, so you never have to rush. Instead of trying to get rid of difficult patterns, sessions focus on understanding why they started and what they’re protecting. As a result, change often feels safer and more lasting.
Signs IFS Therapy May Help
You or your teen may benefit from IFS therapy if you notice:
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A harsh inner critic that never seems to quiet down
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Feeling pulled in opposite directions about decisions, people, or plans
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Perfectionism, overplanning, or people-pleasing that leads to burnout
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Shutting down, numbing out, or scrolling for hours to avoid feelings
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Reactions that feel bigger than the situation, then shame afterward
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Looking fine on the outside while carrying a lot underneath
Our IFS-Informed Approach
Destina uses IFS as part of a trauma-informed, relational approach. Depending on your goals, sessions may also draw on EMDR, emotion-focused therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and practical coping skills. So you get one integrated plan, not a one-size-fits-all method.
In IFS therapy, the work usually moves through four areas:
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Identify protective patterns. Name the parts that drive behaviors like avoidance, anger, or self-criticism.
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Understand their role. Learn what each part is trying to prevent, such as rejection, failure, or old pain.
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Build inner steadiness. Then strengthen the calm, compassionate center IFS calls the Self.
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Heal underlying hurt. When you’re ready, address the experiences those protective parts were guarding.
Sessions move at a pace your system can handle. Destina never forces anything, and you stay in control of what you share. Learn more about Unwilted’s trauma-informed and integrative approach.
IFS Therapy and EMDR for Trauma
For clients working through trauma, IFS and EMDR often work well together. Protective parts can block memory processing when they sense danger. IFS-informed work helps those parts feel safe first, so EMDR processing tends to feel more manageable. That’s why this combined approach is central to trauma therapy at Unwilted.
Concerns Treated With IFS Therapy
IFS-informed work is part of care for many concerns, including:
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Anxiety and constant worry through anxiety and depression therapy
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Low confidence and identity questions through self-esteem and identity counseling
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self-harm urges and intense emotions through self-harm and emotional regulation therapy
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Fear of judgment through social anxiety counseling
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Trauma, PTSD, and painful memories
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Perfectionism, burnout, and chronic self-criticism
Why Choose Unwilted Counseling for IFS Therapy
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Specialized in ages 13 to 25. Sessions focus on the pressures teens and young adults actually face.
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One therapist, every session. Because Unwilted is a solo practice, you work with Destina from your first call onward.
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Integrated, trauma-informed care. Destina combines IFS with EMDR and other approaches to fit your goals.
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Affirming and inclusive. The practice is LGBTQ+ affirming, neurodiversity-affirming, and culturally responsive.
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Flexible formats. Choose in-person sessions, virtual sessions, or a mix of both.
IFS Therapy for Teens: Information for Parents
Many teens respond well to IFS therapy because it doesn’t label them as the problem. Saying “part of me gets really angry” often feels easier than “I have an anger problem.”
For clients ages 13 to 17, parents receive brief time at intake and general progress updates. However, specific details stay private unless there’s a safety concern. Parents can also join sessions when it’s clinically helpful and the teen agrees. Read more about counseling for teens and young adults.
Meet Your Therapist:
Destina Rekeweg, LMHC
Destina Rekeweg is the founder of Unwilted Counseling and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Indiana (license #39005463A). She works exclusively with teens and young adults ages 13 to 25.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. She’s EMDR trained, uses an IFS-informed approach, has completed ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), and is a member of the National Board for Certified Counselors. Destina has supported young people since 2019 in community mental health and social service settings and founded Unwilted Counseling in 2024.
In-Person and Virtual IFS Therapy
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In person in Fort Wayne: 3514 Stellhorn Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46815. Free parking and accessible facilities. Serving Fort Wayne, Allen County, New Haven, Huntertown, and Leo-Cedarville.
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Virtual across Indiana and Ohio: HIPAA-compliant, encrypted video through your browser, with no download and no recording. You must be physically in Indiana or an eligible part of Ohio during sessions. Ohio sessions are available through the Counseling Compact. Learn more about virtual therapy.
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Office hours: Monday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Fees and Payment
Unwilted Counseling is a private-pay practice, so it doesn’t bill insurance.
Service | Duration | Fee |
|---|---|---|
Initial intake assessment | 50 min | $160 |
Ongoing session | 50 min | $135 |
Intensive session | 75 min | $202.50 |
Intensive session | 100 min | $270 |
Intensive session | 150 min | $405 |
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Payment methods: credit or debit card, HSA or FSA card, cash, check, or the secure client portal.
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Out-of-network benefits: superbills are available on request, but reimbursement depends on your plan.
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Good Faith Estimate: available on request under the No Surprises Act.
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Cancellation policy: 48 hours’ notice required. The late cancellation or no-show fee is waived if you reschedule the same week.
How to Start IFS Therapy
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Free consultation. Call or text (260) 255-6432, email, or use the contact form. Expect a reply within 24 business hours.
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Intake forms. Complete secure online paperwork, sent about 48 hours before your first visit.
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Initial assessment. A 50-minute session to understand your goals and build a personalized plan.
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Ongoing sessions. Usually weekly at first, then every other week or monthly as you progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
About IFS-Informed Therapy
IFS has a growing research base. SAMHSA’s former National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices rated it effective for general functioning and well-being. A 2021 pilot study of 17 adults with PTSD found strong symptom improvement after 16 sessions. Research with teens is still limited, so Unwilted pairs IFS with other established approaches.
It means IFS principles guide the work, but sessions aren’t limited to one model. Destina combines IFS ideas with EMDR, emotion-focused therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and coping skills based on your needs. This lets your plan adapt as your goals change instead of following a fixed script.
No. In IFS therapy, parts are a normal way to describe how every mind works, not a diagnosis. Most people already say things like “part of me wants to go.” So IFS uses that everyday language to help you understand your reactions with more curiosity and less self-judgment.
It depends on your goals, since every client starts in a different place. Some clients notice shifts within a few sessions, while deeper trauma work takes longer. Sessions typically start weekly, then move to every other week or monthly as you progress. You and Destina also review your plan together along the way.
Unwilted doesn’t bill insurance, so sessions are paid directly. If your plan includes out-of-network mental health benefits, you can submit a superbill for possible reimbursement. Coverage varies by plan, so check with your insurer before your first session.
Good Faith Estimate: Clients paying privately have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining expected costs of care. You may request this prior to scheduling.
Schedule Your Free IFS Therapy Consultation
Take the first step toward understanding yourself with more compassion. Book a free 15-minute consultation with Destina Rekeweg, LMHC, to ask questions and see if IFS-informed therapy is the right fit. Contact Unwilted Counseling or call or text (260) 255-6432.
