IFS Therapy Dubai – Dr Millia
Are you searching for IFS Therapy Dubai?
Dr Millia is based at the First Psychiatry Clinic, Dubai. She is UAE’s most experienced Internal Family Systems Therapist- Dr Millia
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy is a powerful, evidence-based psychological model developed by Dr. Richard C Schwartz. It’s based on the idea that the mind is made up of multiple “parts,” each with its own feelings, thoughts, and protective roles. At the center is the “Self”—a calm, compassionate, curious inner leader that facilitates healing.

Dr. Millia offers expert psychiatric care and advanced trauma therapy through EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and integrative mental health techniques.
She is a DHA-licensed, British-trained psychiatrist with over 25 years of experience in mental health care. She provides integrative, trauma-informed therapy for adults in Dubai.
Now practiced globally, Internal Family Systems Therapy in Dubai is the most in-demand therapy of its time.
If you are searching for IFS Therapist Near Me? If you do, it is vital that you seek a experienced IFS therapist as it is a creatively intricate and intuition led work that needs therapist to do their own work.
Dr. Millia is a Level 3 Advanced Internal Family Systems therapist trained with world’s leading trainers Dr Richard Schwartz and others. She is based at the First Psychiatry Clinic.
IFS Therapy Brings Transformative, Powerful Shifts
Are you tired of trying Talk Therapies? Choosing the right therapies is tricky.
IFS therapy is a evidence-based approach popular worldwide. The Therapy helps individuals experience deep emotional healing from trauma, anxiety, depression, and a wide range of psychological challenges.
IFS Therapy facilitates healing by addressing the root causes of emotional distress.
IFS Heals From The Root Cause Of Symptoms
IFS is a Safe, Paced, Gentle Yet Powerful Approach for Trauma, Anxiety, Depression and many other challenges.
Unlike conventional talk therapy, IFS Therapy works with how the body stores our emotional pain and paradoxically how the mind protects us the body from emotional pain.
Dr. Millia’s clients often seek her expertise for complex trauma, relationship difficulties, burnout, or persistent inner conflicts. They value her ability to combine evidence-based treatments with a depth of compassion and cultural sensitivity.
What Can IFS Therapy Help With?
In addition to trauma, anxiety, and depression, IFS Therapy helps with complex emotional patterns that interfere with healing and growth.
Common areas IFS therapy can support:
- Complex PTSD and dissociation
- Grief and Loss
- Childhood trauma
- Anxiety
- Somatic symptoms
- Emotional dysregulation
- Burnout, chronic stress, and work-life imbalance
- Complex personality patterns and repeated relationship crises
- Fear of abandonment, parenting challenges, and couple conflicts
- Self-destructive behaviors, self-harm, anger, and violence
- Addictions (e.g., food, alcohol, media, shopping)
- Disordered eating and body image concerns
- Identity, gender, career, or spiritual conflicts
- Cultural and Identity Crisis
- Racial and sexual trauma and inequalities
How Does IFS Therapy Heal Emotional Pain?
Internal Family Systems Therapy, in Dubai is not yet caught up as the rest of the world. views the mind as a complex inner world of distinct “parts,” like members of an internal family. Each part carries specific roles, emotions, and intentions. Some protect us, and some carry pain. Together, they form our internal system.
When we experience trauma or overwhelming events, our parts often organise themselves into different roles. Some take the wound of the experience and others become protectors around these wounds.
- Exiles: Carry the pain, shame, fear, or sadness.
- Manager (Protector): Work proactively to prevent that pain from surfacing.
- Firefighters (Protector): React impulsively when pain breaks through, often using distraction or numbing behaviors.
Visit the IFS Institute for details.
Learn more about the benefits of the Internal Family Systems Therapy
Understanding the Role of Our Internal Family
The Exiles

In IFS therapy, our most vulnerable, wounded parts—are called the Exiles. These are often representing younger selves. They carry raw pain, shame, fear, or a deep sense of unworthiness. When triggered, exiles can flood us with intense emotions or even flashbacks. Exiles long to be seen, held, and healed.
The Managers

IFS views Managers as protective parts that work tirelessly to prevent pain from being felt. They use control, perfectionism, planning, or emotional suppression to keep things safe. Their motto is often “Never again”. While well-intentioned, over time, they may contribute to anxiety, rigidity, or burnout.
The Firefighters

Firefighters leap in when exiles break through, and the pain becomes too much. They act quickly and often impulsively to numb the pain—through food, substances, overworking, or distraction. Their motto is “When all else fails.”
Internal Conflicts Between Various Parts
Managers and Firefighters often clash internally. One tries to suppress and control, while the other reacts and soothes. This inner conflict can be exhausting—and healing requires understanding both sides.
What Makes IFS Therapy a Healing Model?
IFS therapy doesn’t pathologize symptoms. Instead, it views them as parts carrying pain and vulnerability or parts carrying protective roles.
This compassionate lens fosters a deep internal shift — moving clients from fragmentation to integration, from pain to healing.
Why Is IFS Therapy Unique?
With 25 years in the mental health field, Dr Millia has found IFS Therapy to be one of the most transformative approaches of our time.
IFS is interactive, creative, and somatic—reaching places other therapies often cannot.
For example, a client might say, “I feel this deep despair, but I had a good childhood—I don’t understand why I feel so empty.” In IFS, we begin not by diving into the feeling, but by meeting the protective parts surrounding it, creating safety, permission, and trust for deeper healing.
How Long Does IFS Therapy Take?
IFS Therapy can take a short time or a long time. The benefits of the therapy is noticed during the sessions as deeper insights that the person was previously not aware of come up.
The goal of IFS Therapy is to move increasingly closer to the authenticity of the Self and its true qualities.
Are There Any Risks In IFS Therapy?
IFS Therapy is preferred for complex trauma because of its safe way of approaching trauma. IFS Therapy is a highly effective trauma therapy.
Can IFS Therapy Work for those with ADHD?
ADHD or Autism are neurodevelopmental disorders. But many people with neuro-divergent issues have faced shaming, criticism and punishment.
Beliefs like I am stupid, I am not enough, I don’t belong, I am different, I am defective are common.
These traumatic burdens of ADHD and Autism can be helped with IFS therapy.
Can IFS Therapy work with EMDR Therapy?
Both IFS and EMDR Therapy are focused on healing Trauma. They can work well together. IFS offers a framework for EMDR Therapy. It helps with preparation and helping EMDR work more safely with permission and trust. Both IFS and EMDR can be complimentary. Read on the Guide as to How to Choose Therapies in Dubai here.
Is Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy Evidence-Based?
IFS therapy is increasingly supported by research for its effectiveness in treating complex trauma, substance use disorders, and even physical health conditions. You can learn more at the IFS Institute or IFS Foundation.
Yes, Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is considered an evidence-based therapy, especially for treating conditions such as:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Complex-Post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD)
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Substance use
Key Points Supporting IFS Therapy as Evidence-Based:
- Research Publications: Peer-reviewed studies, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), have shown IFS to be effective in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders.
- NREPP Listing: IFS was formerly listed in the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) in the U.S., which was managed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
- Neuroscience-Aligned: IFS aligns with contemporary neurobiological research, particularly in its understanding of internal systems, trauma, and emotional regulation.
- The National Institute of Mental Health outlines trauma’s effects on the brain and body.
Why Work with Dr Millia?
As a Level 3 IFS therapist with over 25 years of experience in trauma therapy, Dr Millia will guide individuals through powerful healing journeys with integrity, compassion, and skill.
Dr Millia regularly pursues advanced IFS training, engage in ongoing personal therapy, and receive clinical supervision—not only to deepen my skill but also to honour the trust each client places in me.
If you are searching for IFS Dubai, Please reach out and experience a powerful transformative experiential approach.
Explore Related Topics
- Grief and Bereavement Support
- How to Choose the Right Therapy
- Adult ADHD Testing & Diagnosis
- Hidden Signs of ADHD in Adults
- Understanding ADHD in Women
- EMDR therapy in Dubai
- PTSD Therapy in Dubai
- FAQ about EMDR
- Depression therapy Dubai
- Complex Trauma Therapy in Dubai
- IFS Therapy Dubai
- Internal Family Systems Therapy Dubai
- Benefits of IFS Therapy
If you are looking for a therapist near me– consider the powerful IFS Approach.
Dr Millia
- Consultant Psychiatrist & EMDR & IFS Therapist
- First Psychiatry Clinic
- Villa 975 Municipality 363856
- Al Manara, Umm Suqeim 2
- Dubai, UAE
- Office Number: +971 4 221 6000
- E-mail: info@firstpsychiatryclinics.com