Our Story: Why The Collective Exists

The Self-Led Collective of Appalachia emerged from a shared vision to bring the transformative power of IFS to a region that needs it most.

The Critical Disparity

While the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model offers profound pathways to healing, access to this invaluable therapeutic resource is limited, particularly within the Appalachian region. We recognized this disparity as a critical barrier to care.

Our Foundational Investment

Our foundational belief is in investing in both the overall well-being and specialized training of therapists practicing throughout Appalachia. This cultivation of a highly skilled network significantly increases the accessibility of high-quality, culturally-attuned care.

This approach ensures the healing power of IFS is delivered in a way that resonates deeply with individuals, fostering greater trust, engagement, and ultimately, more profound and sustainable therapeutic outcomes across the entire region.

Our Guiding Philosophy: The Parallel Model

We are guided by the principle that the therapist's internal work directly impacts their external practice. This is the parallel model of IFS.

"When the therapist has an increased relationship with their system... then we have an increased capacity to help our clients with their system."

Our entire collective is designed to help practitioners cultivate a sustained "critical mass of Self-energy." We move beyond the sticky language of being "in Self or out of Self" and focus on creating a very settled and non-judgemental place from which to practice.

Our Specialized Expertise: Appalachian IFS

What sets The Collective apart is our commitment to a regionally specific, culturally competent IFS practice. Our training and consultation focus on the unique generational dynamics of the Appalachian context:

Legacy Burdens

Specialized work to identify and heal inherited burdens related to grand families, substance use, economic exploitation, and environmental degradation that standard IFS training may overlook.

Appalachian Heirlooms

A focus on leveraging the inherent resilience, strength, and positive parts of the Appalachian identity, such as strong community ties, appreciation of nature, and storytelling traditions.

Practical Application

We translate this specialized knowledge into concrete clinical tools, including legacy burden detectors, genograms focused on generational trauma, and hands-on exercises like unblending and U-turns, ensuring your learning is immediately applicable.

Meet the Founders

The Collective was founded by two IFS Certified Therapists dedicated to elevating culturally competent practice in Appalachia.

Holly Thomas, LICSW, IFS-C

IFS Certified Therapist

Holly is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) based in Morgantown, WV, with an MSW from West Virginia University (2007). She is also credentialed as an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) and a Master Addiction Counselor (MAC), specializing in Substance Use and trauma. Holly brings deep regional expertise, licensed in multiple surrounding states.

IFS Training Journey:

Level 1 IFS Training (2021)
Level 2 IFS Training (2022)
Level 3 IFS Training (2023)
IFS Certification (2025)

Susan Millham, LICSW, IFS-C