Internal Family Systems Model


The Internal Family Systems model is a non-pathologizing approach to individual psychotherapy developed by Richard C. Schwartz. It combines systems thinking with the view that the mind is composed of relatively discrete subpersonalities, or "parts," each with its own unique viewpoint and qualities. The goal of the therapy is to help clients access their "Self"—described as a core state of compassion and clarity that remains undamaged by trauma—to heal and integrate these parts. In 2015, IFS was listed on the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices as an evidence-based practice. A 2025 scoping review published in Counselling Psychology Quarterly identified IFS as a "promising therapeutic approach" for conditions such as PTSD, depression, and chronic pain, noting significant symptom reduction in pilot trials. It is frequently applied in the treatment of complex post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression.
The model has been widely adopted in clinical trauma treatment and popularized by media such as the film Inside Out. However, it has also faced scrutiny regarding its training practices and rapid expansion. A 2025 investigative report by New York Magazine criticized the model as "pseudoscientific," alleging that 'parts work' can be destabilizing for clients with complex trauma if protective mechanisms are bypassed too quickly. In response to the report, the IFS Institute disputed the characterization of the therapy as pseudoscientific, stating that the cases cited involved extreme misapplications of the model distinct from standard training protocols.

Theory and background

IFS has three core theoretical principles: Non-pathological multiplicity of the mind, systems theory, and an adaptation of Buddhist philosophy's practice of witnessing consciousness. Broadly, these principles are used to non-judgmentally observe and evaluate complex mental systems. This approach builds on Richard Schwartz's experiences with persons experiencing eating disorders, who he noticed often spoke about the self as various conflicting "parts" or sub-personalities. Trained as a family therapist, Schwartz noticed that these parts exhibited common presentations in family therapy, leading him to develop the approach. IFS is distinct from other parts-based therapies in its emphasis on the systemic relationships between parts and the existence of an undamaged "Self" that acts as an active leader of the system, rather than a passive witness.

Metaphysical distinctions

Richard Schwartz's later work introduces metaphysical concepts distinct from the core clinical model, specifically "guides" and "unattached burdens," which are described as external entities rather than internal parts. According to Schwartz, unattached burdens—described as ancestral energies or external entities—tend to enter a person's mind during disassociated states, such as trauma or psychedelic experiences. "Guides" are described as benevolent entities, whereas unattached burdens do not have a positive intent.
In recent expansions of the model, Schwartz has explicitly aligned these concepts with spiritual traditions, describing the "Self" not merely as a psychological state but as a sacred essence connecting the individual to a larger "Divine" consciousness. This approach draws parallels between IFS unburdening techniques and shamanic practices. Schwartz proposes that negative entities can be removed using visualization techniques, a practice labeled "exorcism" by critics but described by proponents as an energetic release or the healing of intergenerational trauma.
While IFS utilizes language that can appear spiritual, other proponents describe these terms as phenomenological metaphors for neural networks or dissociated affective states. In clinical practice, the "Self" is often framed not as a metaphysical soul, but as a state of "neurological integration" where the prefrontal cortex is able to observe emotional reactivity without being overwhelmed by it.

Parts

IFS posits that the mind is made up of multiple parts, and underlying them is a person's core or true Self. Like members of a family, a person's inner parts can take on extreme roles or subpersonalities. Each part has its own perspective, interests, memories, and viewpoint. A core tenet of IFS is that every part has a positive intent, even if its actions are counterproductive or cause dysfunction. There is no need to fight with, coerce, or eliminate parts; the IFS method promotes internal connection and harmony to bring the mind back into balance.
IFS therapy aims to heal wounded parts and restore mental balance. The first step is to access the core Self and then, from there, understand the different parts in order to heal them. According to Schwartz, "Self energy" can be deepened or accessed during a "non-dual state," a state he notes is sometimes facilitated by the use of psychedelics.
Schwartz identifies eight qualities that characterize the state of "Self-energy," often referred to as the "8 Cs":
In the IFS model, parts are categorized into three roles:
  • Exiles: Parts that carry the pain, shame, or fear from past trauma. They are often isolated from the rest of the system to prevent the individual from feeling this pain.
  • Managers: A type of "Protector" part that plays a proactive role. They try to maintain control and prevent the Exiles from being triggered by managing the environment, relationships, and daily functioning.
  • Firefighters: A type of "Protector" part that plays a reactive role. When an Exile is triggered, Firefighters act impulsively to extinguish the emotional pain, often through behaviors like substance use, binge eating, or dissociation.

    Relationships between parts

IFS focuses on the relationships between parts and the core Self. The goal of therapy is to create a cooperative and trusting relationship between the Self and each part. There are three primary types of relationships:
  • Protection: Provided by managers and firefighters, who intend to spare exiles from harm and protect the individual from the exile's pain.
  • Polarization: Occurs between two parts that battle each other to determine how a person feels or behaves in a certain situation. Each part believes that it must act as it does in order to counter the extreme behavior of the other part.
  • Alliance: Formed between two different parts if they are working together to accomplish the same goal.

    IFS method

IFS practitioners report a therapeutic method for individual therapy based on the following principles. In this description, the term "protector" refers to either a manager or firefighter.
Parts in extreme roles carry "burdens": painful emotions or negative beliefs they have taken on as a result of past harmful experiences, often in childhood. These burdens are not intrinsic to the part and therefore they can be released or "unburdened" through IFS therapy, allowing the part to assume its natural healthy role. The Self is the agent of psychological healing. Therapists help their clients to access and remain in Self, providing guidance along the way. Protectors often soften up or release from their roles when they establish a harmonious relationship with the Self.
Some protectors unburden themselves from their roles only once the exiles they are protecting have been unburdened. There is no attempt to work with exiles until the client has obtained permission from the protectors who are protecting it. It is paramount in IFS therapy that the therapist ensures that the client's Self has established trust and safety with the protectors before approaching the exiles. IFS therapy emphasizes that when protectors are not respected or bypassed, there is potential for their backlash. Such bypassing can result sometimes in some serious firefighter parts activating, such as suicidal parts. Proponents argue that this protocol makes the method relatively safe, even when working with traumatized parts.
The Self is the natural leader of the internal system. However, because of past harmful incidents or relationships, protectors have stepped in and taken over for the Self. One protector after another is activated and takes the lead, causing dysfunctional behavior. Protectors are also frequently in conflict with each other, resulting in internal chaos or stagnation. The aim is for the protectors to trust the Self and allow it to lead the system, creating internal harmony under its guidance.
The first step is to help the client access the Self. There are two methods for accessing Self-energy of the client:
  • Insight approach: Clients self-engage with the protector parts facilitated by the therapist.
  • Direct access: A technique where the therapist talks directly to the client's part. This is often used when a protector part is too blended to separate from the client's Self.

    Differentiation (Unblending)

A primary technique in IFS is the "6 Fs," a protocol used to help the client differentiate their core Self from a protective part:
  • Find: Locate the part in the body or mind.
  • Focus: Turn attention inward toward the part.
  • Flesh out: Describe the part's sensory details.
  • Feel toward: Assess how the client feels toward the part. If the feeling is not neutral or compassionate, another part is blended and must be asked to step back.
  • Befriend: Learn about the part's role and positive intent.
  • Fear: Ask the part what it fears would happen if it stopped doing its job.
Once the Self gets to know the protector, and the protector feel understood by the Self, the internal attachment rupture is repaired. The process of understanding the protector's positive intent through witnessing can be a slow and iterative process. Then, with the protector's permission, the client accesses the exile to uncover the childhood incident or relationship that is the source of the burden it carries. The exile is retrieved from the past situation and guided to release its burdens. Finally, the protector can then let go of its protective role and assume a less extreme role or a healthy one.