A recovery journey: a talk with Mary Kruger

Mary Kruger, an AAMFT supervisor and IFS lead trainer, recounts her personal journey and how it shaped her specialization in addictions, eating disorders, and trauma within the IFS framework. Kruger details her family history marked by alcoholism, hardship, and a legacy of both burdens and gifts. Pivotal moments, such as her parents' divorce and a violent stepfather, led to the development of protective parts and disordered eating. She also shares her experiences with substance abuse and unhealthy relationships. Kruger emphasizes the importance of self-awareness for clinicians working with addiction, noting how unaddressed personal triggers can hinder client progress. Ultimately, IFS therapy helped her heal trauma, integrate parts, and transform her relationship with food and past struggles.