About Internal Family Systems
Have you ever been in an argument and felt like you had multiple feelings, thoughts, and even beliefs happening at the same time? Has that made you feel like there might be something wrong with you, when one part is feeling incredibly hurt and vulnerable, while another part is being overly logical and a bit withdrawn about whats happening? There might even be a part thats overreacting and has a strong urge to just leave, and maybe even another part criticizing that and other parts?
​
In IFS, this is normal, and expected. Instead of viewing a person as having one monomind, it views people as being made up of multiple parts, each with their own feelings, beliefs, wants, needs, fears, and in some cases, trauma. Some of these parts are well balanced and integrated, and others are full of pain and acting from places of fear, creating discord internally.
​
IFS therapy helps people connect to and listen to these parts with compassion and understanding. By learning how to recognize different parts, and engage in a conversation with them, we begin to have greater harmony internally and to understand why we react the way we do in certain situations. IFS also helps to heal those parts that are wounded, and to help them gain trust in your highest self so that they no longer need to be so reactive.
​
I view it as healing a lot of really hurt reactive children inside, and helping them become wise guides instead. It's a bit like having a classroom full of children with no teacher, and it turns into chaos. Once a wise, calm teacher comes in, things begin to settle down and have a sense of order and harmony.
​
For other helpful metaphors, click here.
IFS has been life changing for me, and has helped me in every aspect of my life. I hope it can do the same for you.
​
For more resources, I recommend the following websites:
​
The following books can be very helpful to learn more:
No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz
You Are the One You've Been Waiting For by Richard Schwartz
​​
I found the following podcast very helpful when I first began learning about IFS, as the founder of IFS, Dick Schwartz, does a session with two of the hosts:
​
And the following podcasts cover all aspects of IFS:
