1 Richard Schwartz's revolutionary vision
Created in the 1980s by American family therapist Richard C. Schwartz, Internal Family Systems therapy begins with the principle that the mind is not a monolithic block but a natural collection of inner 'parts' or subpersonalities. Each part has developed a role to protect the person during the wounds and traumas of their history.
2 The three main categories of inner parts
IFS distinguishes Exiles, young and vulnerable parts carrying burdens of terror, shame and abandonment from past trauma; Managers, preventive protectors that control everything so the exiles' wounds are never awakened, through perfectionism, control and self-criticism; and Firefighters, reactive protectors that intervene urgently through compulsive behaviours to numb pain when an exile awakens, such as alcohol, binge eating or explosive anger.
3 Self-Leadership
At everyone's core is the Self: a space of awareness untouched by wounds, characterised by the eight Cs, Calm, Clarity, Compassion, Curiosity, Confidence, Courage, Creativity and Connection. Therapy invites the person to listen to each protective part with curiosity and gratitude, allowing it to lay down its burden and let the Self take the helm again.
4 The place of this approach within care
This approach brings remarkable inner peace: by ceasing to regard symptoms as enemies to destroy, patients learn to converse with their inner family to heal their most deeply buried wounds.
5 Compassion towards every part and healing deep wounds
In IFS therapy, no part is bad or needs eliminating: even the most compulsive mechanisms were forged with the intention of protecting the person. By offering them the Self's love and wisdom, therapy soothes inner torment and reconciles the person with themselves.