Why The Self-Led Collective Exists

The Self-Led Collective of Appalachia was formed through a shared commitment to the Internal Family Systems model and the communities it serves.

The Collective was created by dedicated Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapists who recognized a critical and often overlooked reality: while the IFS model offers profound pathways to healing, access to this work remains limited throughout much of Appalachia.

Our foundational belief is that meaningful access begins with supporting the therapists themselves. By investing in both the overall well-being and the specialized training of clinicians practicing across the region, we expand access to care that is both clinically sound and culturally attuned.

This investment is not simply about increasing the number of IFS-informed therapists. It is about cultivating a connected network of highly skilled professionals who hold deep respect for the culture, history, and systemic realities inherent to Appalachian communities.

Through this approach, the healing power of IFS is delivered in ways that foster trust, deepen engagement, and support more profound and sustainable therapeutic outcomes for individuals and families across the 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 Thomas is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in WV and surrounding states. She earned her MSW from West Virginia University in 2006 and holds additional credentials as an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) and a Master Addiction Counselor (MAC), specializing in Substance Use and trauma.

Holly is a Certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapist, having completed her IFS Certification in 2025. Her training through the IFS Institute includes:

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

Susan Millham, MSW, LICSW, IFS-C