Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a transformative, evidence-based model of psychotherapy that views the mind as naturally made up of multiple sub-personalities, or "parts," each with its own perspective, feelings, and memories. Developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz, IFS helps you understand the protective roles your parts play, heal the wounded parts they guard, and access a calm, compassionate core known as the Self. At Restored Family Counseling, our IFS-trained therapists guide you in building a new relationship with your inner world, one rooted in curiosity rather than criticism.

We all carry parts that developed in response to life experiences. Some are protective: the inner critic that pushes you to perform, the anxious part that scans for danger, the people-pleaser that avoids conflict. Others carry the pain of old wounds: rejection, abandonment, shame, trauma. These parts are not flaws or pathology. They are adaptive strategies that once served a purpose but may now be causing suffering. IFS doesn't try to eliminate these parts; it helps you understand them, appreciate what they've done for you, and release them from the extreme roles they've been forced into.

At the heart of IFS is the concept of Self, your core essence, which is inherently calm, curious, compassionate, connected, confident, creative, courageous, and clear. When you are leading from Self, you can relate to your parts without being overwhelmed by them. Your therapist helps you access Self and, from that grounded place, approach even your most difficult inner experiences with openness and care. This process often brings profound relief, as parts that have carried burdens for years or decades finally feel seen and can let go of what they've been holding.

IFS is effective for a wide range of concerns: trauma and PTSD, anxiety, depression, shame, perfectionism, disordered eating, relationship patterns, and more. Because it works with the internal system rather than focusing solely on symptoms, many clients experience deep, lasting shifts in how they relate to themselves and others. IFS can be used as a standalone approach or integrated with other modalities like EMDR and somatic work for comprehensive healing.