About Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an evidence-based, transformative approach to understanding and healing your inner world. Developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz and expanded on by several highly regarded therapists and practitioners, IFS offers a unique and effective framework for recognizing and harmonizing the different parts of your psyche.
Core Concepts:
Self-Leadership
The main goals of IFS are to help understand and transform parts of your psyche that have been pushed into extreme roles, to help develop more internal connectedness and integration, and ultimately to help your internal system cultivate more self-leadership, where your core being takes the lead in helping understand and manage the various parts of your psyche.
Parts:
IFS identifies three types of parts: Exiles, Managers, and Firefighters. Each plays a crucial role in your internal system.
Unburdening:
The process of unburdening allows parts to release extreme roles and beliefs, leading to greater harmony and balance.
IFS Resources
Explore our curated collection of articles, videos, podcasts, and books to deepen your understanding of Internal Family Systems (IFS).
Books:
No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model by Richard C. Schwartz
The foundational text on IFS, written by its founder. Provides a comprehensive overview of the model, its theory, and practical applications.
Introduction to the Internal Family Systems Model by Richard Schwartz
A concise and accessible introduction to the core concepts and practices of IFS, ideal for beginners
Articles
The Internal Family Systems Model Outline – IFS Institute
A detailed article exploring how IFS can be used to address trauma and its impact on individuals.
What is Internal Family Systems Therapy? – Psychology Today
An overview of IFS therapy, its benefits, and how it differs from other therapeutic approaches.
Evolution of the IFS Model
◦ An article exploring how the IFS model was discovered and developed.
Videos
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Explained by Richard Schwartz
A short video where the founder explains the basics of IFS in an engaging and easy-to-understand manner.
Podcasts
IFS Talk with Frank Anderson, MD on IFS and Neuroscience
IFS Talk with Frank Anderson, MD, a Harvard Medical School Psychiatrist & Psychologist recent chair of the IFS Institute
The One Inside Podcast
This podcast features interviews with IFS practitioners and experts, discussing various aspects of the model and its applications.