Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is based on the idea that we are all “multiple personalities,” a collection of parts of ourselves that function and interact internally. Have you ever heard yourself saying, ‘one part of me thinks this but another part of me wants that.’ IFS speaks to the internal debates, conflicts and often unspoken, unacknowledged parts of us that learned to protect us from harm, no matter the cost.

Parts are born into naturally valuable states - a part that alerts me when danger is approaching or a part that delights in learning new things. When we are met with trauma or overwhelming circumstance (particularly in our young lives) these parts can shift into roles that can be confusing or destructive to us. A part that pushes away a trusted love one when experiencing distress. A voice on repeat in one’s mind that says, ‘I can’t,’ or ‘I’m bad.’ These parts have become burdened by the past and the work of IFS is the process of unburdening these parts and restoring them to their original states.

Parts & burdens - when you assume that the part is the burden we go to war inside. Parts organize to protect the Self and other parts. As we unburden parts from their protective roles, the Self emerges.

According to Dr. Richard Schwartz, founder of IFS the Self is comprised of 8 C’s - Calm, Clarity, Compassion, Confidence, Connectedness, Courage, Creativity & Curiosity. (Here is a great resource for definitions on the 8 C’s.)