Internal Family Systems Model (IFS)

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a specialized type of psychotherapy developed by family therapist Richard Schwartz. It divides the mind into the Self and a number of subpersonalities or parts. The Self is present in everyone, and contains the true essence of a person. Exiles are parts of the mind that have experienced trauma, and cause the patient to experience negative emotions. Managers are parts of the mind that work to maintain feelings of control, and to keep exiles isolated. Firefighters are parts of the mind that work to mitigate the impact of Exiles. Therapists using IFS therapy work to heal Exiles and increase the power of the Self.

IFS therapy is effective at treating numerous mental health conditions. It is commonly used to treat depression, compulsive behaviors, phobias, and the effects of trauma. It can also be used to improve general emotional well-being.

Background

Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is a type of psychotherapy that was developed by family therapist Richard Schwartz during the 1990s. Schwartz developed the idea that every person contains an undamaged core, an essence of who they truly are. He called this core the Self. Schwartz continued to refine his theories, eventually developing systems of parts and subfamilies for various parts of the mind. In 2000, Schwartz founded the Center for Self Leadership, an organization dedicated to training therapists in the IFS model of psychotherapy. In 2019, the organization changed its name to the IFS Institute.

IFS therapy is practiced by licensed mental health professionals, including psychotherapists, social workers, and counselors. Many mental health professionals receive specialized training in IFS therapy. Much of this training is provided by the IFS Institute.

IFS operates on a group of specific assumptions. Firstly, IFS therapy argues that the nature of the human mind is to be subdivided into a large number of parts or subfamilies. The Self is present in every mind, and should be the leader of the different parts of the mind. No subfamilies or parts are bad, and each part can have several goals. Though a part’s extreme goals are sometimes harmful to the patient, its centrist intentions are good for the patient.

Overview

According to IFS, as the mind develops, its numerous parts form a complex series of interactions. These interactions can be mapped and organized. As the patient works with a therapist to reorganize these interactions, the parts of the mind change.

Subpersonalities are aspects of the mind that interact internally with one another, similarly to how people interact in relationships. They may express themselves through thoughts, feelings, sensations, and other experiences. Parts work to gain influence within the mind, and sometimes pursue goals contrary to those of other parts. Subpersonalities are influenced by the patient’s experiences, but are not created by experiences. They always exist, even if they are not fully formed.

Parts of the mind typically form into groups. Recently formed parts that experience some form of mental trauma cause the patient to experience pain or fear. The mind often isolates these parts to protect the Self from those feelings. In IFS therapy, these parts are called Exiles. Exiles want to be cared for and to have their stories heard. To accomplish this while in isolation, Exiles become desperate and extreme. Bringing Exiles out of isolation often causes patients to feel vulnerable.

Managers are parts of the mind that help run the patient’s life. They work to protect existing parts from fear, pain, or other forms of traumas. They also work to keep the patient in control of situations and relationships. They do so by encouraging the patient to use patterns of behavior that give them a sense of control. These include comforting others, evaluating situations, and striving for goals. Managers work to keep Exiles away from other parts of the mind.

Firefighters are parts that act in response to Exiles. When Exiles demand to be heard, the patient experiences negative feelings. Firefighters work to extinguish those feelings through coping mechanisms. In many cases, these coping mechanisms are negative. They include alcohol and drug abuse, binge-eating, and self-mutilation. Like Managers, Firefighters work to keep Exiles suppressed and isolated.

The Self is an entity that is distinct from the parts or subpersonalities. When differentiated from other parts, the Self is secure, relaxed, and able to listen to feedback. When the Self is properly isolated, many patients feel centered. The Self is capable of choosing to listen to specific parts or subpersonalities. However, it is also capable of ignoring them or shutting them out.

Not all minds are led by the Self. If parts of the mind lose confidence in the Self, they may blend with the Self, taking over leadership of the mind. These parts are often extreme, and are carrying some form of emotional burden. This can result in patients feeling a lack of control.

IFS therapy works to return the balance to the mind. It seeks to return the Self to a strong leadership position, allowing the parts to provide input in choices but reserve decision-making power for the Self. It does not seek to destroy parts, but instead works to allow parts to lend their unique talents to the Self without expressing damaging behaviors. Therapists work to allow Exiles to be heard in a controlled environment, healing them and transforming them into productive parts of the mind. They also seek to manage Firefighters by encouraging constructive coping mechanisms.

IFS therapy is used to treat a wide variety of mental health conditions. Some therapists use IFS to deal with individual patients. Others use it as a form of therapy for groups and families. Studies have shown that IFS therapy is effective at improving overall emotional well-being. It is commonly used to treat depression, compulsive behaviors, phobias, and the effects of trauma.

Bibliography

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“Internal Family Systems (IFS).” GoodTherapy, 12 Feb. 2018, www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/internal-family-systems-therapy. Accessed 7 May 2020.

“The Internal Family Systems Model Outline.” IFS Institute, 2020, ifs-institute.com/resources/articles/internal-family-systems-model-outline?fbclid=IwAR3xxYLKaqHVL9xyAQXdAR26aKhh8mssEjqRWuVoZavj7fZDnL4VnlZuaJw. Accessed 7 May 2020.

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“An Introduction to Internal Family Systems Therapy.” Good Therapy, www.goodtherapy.org/internal-family-systems-therapy-workshop-web-conference.html. Accessed 7 May 2020.

Schwartz, Richard. “Going Beyond Mindfulness with Internal Family Systems.” Psychotherapy Networker, www.psychotherapynetworker.org/blog/details/651/going-beyond-mindfulness-with-internal-family-systems. Accessed 7 May 2020.

“What Is Psychotherapy?” American Psychiatric Association, Jan. 2019, www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/psychotherapy. Accessed 7 May 2020.