Our Approach
A Compassionate Space Where All Lived Experiences Are Welcomed
Sound Life Counseling specializes in offering Internal Family Systems therapy (IFS). Other research supported practices including Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, mindfulness, and somatic practices are also integrated to support your journey of connecting deeply inside and out. This space supports individuals, couples, partnerships, and groups navigating life transition and relationship conflict, grief and trauma, chronic illness and pain, and addiction recovery experiences. Christina is Queer Allied, CNM/ENM/polyamory conscious, Neuroaffirming, spiritually open, supports inclusive healthcare practices, and honors all of your lived experiences and parts.
Services
From 130 US dollars
175 US dollars- From 90 US dollars
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
What is IFS (Internal Family Systems)?
We all have parts - that want different things, carry distinct beliefs, play certain roles, and have good intentions for us. The conflicting thoughts and feelings you have may reflect parts who need some attention. The IFS process reveals your inner essence - also known as Self energy; that of which takes care of all your parts and knows what it needs to do to heal. Getting to know and being in relationship with your parts will ultimately lead to inner harmony and more ease in your life.
What does an IFS therapist do during a session?
I will ask questions that foster the relationship between you and your parts. Over time, your parts begin to trust you, and vulnerable parts can let go of the burdens they’ve been carrying - what you might be experiencing as current challenges at home, at work, and in relationships. I help facilitate the unburdening process, so that you can let go of painful beliefs and invite in more expansive qualities.
What makes IFS different from other counseling approaches?
IFS is an experiential process - meaning you’re tuned into your direct experience rather than just talking about it. IFS can guide you with going deeper than traditional talk therapy. Because IFS is experiential, it’s hard to put into words! There is an ineffable, spiritual quality to the IFS process that leads to a more authentic and open-hearted way of being.
What can you expect from doing IFS work?
Being more Self-led! In your day-to-day life you might have more awareness of your different parts and be able to respond from a place of less reactivity in previously activating situations. You’ll have the ability to face difficult situations with more ease and experience more compassion. With Intimacy from the Inside Out (IFIO) or couple/partnership clients, you will have opportunities to deepen intimacy, resolve conflicts, repair, and feel more loved and understood.
Christina Gerteis, LPC, LAC, NCC, MAC
My Journey:
​
After years of working as a trauma and addictions therapist specializing with families impacted by some of life's most difficult challenges, I felt I had seen it all and knew many ways to help. I did sense something was often missing though. These family members would learn many skills and strategies to manage emotional pain and suffering, however would still struggle in relationships with those they loved.
​
My life had also come to a crossroads with my own intimate relationship and family planning journey. I was at an impasse with my partner and knew something needed to shift. And helping myself with the same compassionate energy I offered others was not something I truly knew how to do. All the Gottman skills and Imago insights uncovered in couples therapy sessions were not helping my relationship move in the direction I wanted. I was so fearful of being alone and losing my childhood companion and love... yet felt intense urgency to take the next steps in hopes of becoming a parent. This is where I discovered the powerful potential of EMDR and IFS. I spent the next year embarking on my own path of self-discovery, unburdening, and trauma recovery with these intensive practices while undergoing steps to build a family as a single mother by choice. While my path ultimately did not lead to motherhood following infertility, I was able to connect even deeper through courageous communication and action with my intimate relationship to create family in a way that resonated from my heart and not fear. Releasing expectations, restoring trust, and expanding healing allowed more spaciousness and love than I had ever imagined possible. And I continue to experience new ways of loving fully and unconditionally every day with my life and soul partner and sweetest pug, Grit.
​
These experiences have led me with great purpose in sharing with couples/partnerships what is possible through IFS, IFIO, and EMDR. Healing, reconnection, and loving fully is possible even at life's most difficult moments. Moving beyond simply knowing skills, there is a space for sharing and listening with the heart. A space for opening towards repair when there has been rupture. Moments for rediscovering and redefining after conflict with compassion and deepened intimacy. I can help you there.
​​
Training and Credentials:
I am a US trained and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the states of Colorado, Louisiana, and Texas with over 20 years of practice in outpatient, community, residential, and hospital settings. I am a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) in Colorado. My national certifications include Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC). I am Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 1 trained with Level 2 Intimacy from the Inside Out (IFIO) training planned for October 2025. I am certified to provide Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement De-sensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). I have a life long passion for learning how the mind and body connect in healing and transformation. Living in many different communities across the US and traveling to many countries, I have discovered ways to alleviate suffering and expand creativity, compassion, and sound living I would like to share with you.
​​​​
Credentials can be verified at:
https://ifs-institute.com/practitioners/all/147071
https://www.emdria.org/directory/people/christina-gerteis/
LA Lpcboard.org, TX bhec.texas.gov, CO dpo.colorado.gov
​​​​
I provide individual IFS coaching, consultation, and practice groups. Telesupervision offered to those seeking LAC and LPC licensure in Colorado. Please contact me for more information as you are interested in learning more about my methods and opportunities available.
