How to Talk to the Inner Critic (Instead of Believing It)

Everyone has an inner critic—that voice that says you’re not doing enough, not good enough, not lovable enough.

It often sounds like a harsh parent or an old teacher. Sometimes, it’s so loud that it drowns out everything else.

person hearing loud inner critics

But what if you didn’t have to silence it… just understand it?

In Internal Family Systems therapy, we approach the inner critic as a protective part—one that developed a harsh tone in an attempt to keep you safe. It may believe that criticizing you will push you to succeed or help you avoid rejection.

When we engage with this part compassionately, something shifts. It stops shouting and starts revealing the fears behind the criticism.

Through IFS therapy, you can:

- Unblend from your inner critic

- Talk to it with curiosity and compassion

- Discover what it’s protecting—and what it needs

- Invite more balanced, supportive internal voices

Your inner critic doesn’t need to be the boss. It can become just one voice in a much larger, kinder internal system.

Meet Melissa today to understand more about your critics.