The IFS method
OUR INVULNERABLE CORE
Every human being has an inviolable core, the SELF. In connection with the SELF, we are calm, compassionate, and wise.
It helps our inner parts to work together harmoniously. Then we feel strong and balanced.
SELF-LEADERSHIP
IFS is about exploring and healing our different aspects and bringing them into harmonious coexistence. To make this possible, we work from our SELF in the IFS process.
OUR INNER PARTS
Our inner experience consists of different parts that interact with each other.
These parts manifest as thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and behaviors. They take on various roles and functions.
OUR GOOD INTENTION
All our parts have a positive intention - even if they sometimes appear destructive.
In the IFS process, we try to understand these positive intentions. This allows us to support the parts in operating more healthily and productively in the future.
Guiding principles of IFS
Protective parts
Our protective parts have the task of protecting us from emotional pain and inner conflicTS.
They always act with a positive intention to protect our well-being - even if their methods are sometimes perceived as restrictive or problematic.
They are divided into managers and firefighters.
Manager
Their goal is to protect us from situations that could potentially be hurtful or overwhelming. They try to create balance and security and avoid painful situations from the past in the future.
They often help us to "function" (e.g. ambitious, perfectionist, rational parts).
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Firefighters
Their goal is to quickly defuse acute emotional crises and protect us from overwhelming feelings. They often react impulsively to provide immediate relief from intense pain or stress (e.g. distraction, numbing, or escape).
The SELF
The SELF is the central, invulnerable core of our being, which is inherently calm, wise and compassionate.
It embodies our deepest inner strength and clarity, regardless of external circumstances or internal conflicts. The SELF has the ability to guide and harmonize all inner parts so that they can work in harmony with one another.
SELF energy can be felt in different qualities. Richard Schwartz has summarized the most common in the "8 C's".
Exiles
Exile parts carry deep pain, fear or shame within them and are therefore often repressed from consciousness by the protectors.
These parts represent unresolved traumas or stressful experiences that we have had in the past. Although they work in secret, they often influence our behavior and emotions in subtle ways.
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Special features of the IFS method
Advantages of IFS in psychotherapy
High Effectiveness
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The effectiveness of IFS is scientifically proven.
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The training is accredited by the Psychotherapists’ Chamber.
Many Areas of Application
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Suitable for therapy with individuals, as well as couples, families, children, and adolescents.
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Easily combinable with other therapeutic methods
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Particularly effective in treating anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and trauma.
More pleasant sessions
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IFS is experienced as more effective, more pleasant and less strenuous.
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IFS offers valuable attitudes and tools for self-regulation and self-care for everyday practice.
Global demand
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IFS is one of the fastest growing psychotherapy methods worldwide.
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Internationally certified training courses are in high demand - places are often only available through lottery procedures or long waiting lists.
Application Areas
Psychotherapy
Evidence-based effectiveness
IFS has been shown to be particularly effective in treating trauma, depression and eating disorders. Studies show that it can significantly reduce depressive symptoms even when other therapies fail.
Help with psychosomatic complaints
The IFS model helps to identify emotional causes for psychosomatic complaints such as chronic pain. Clients learn to acknowledge and calm their inner parts, which often leads to a reduction in pain.
Psychotherapy
with children and
young people
Emotional help for children and adolescents
In child and adolescent therapy, IFS is particularly effective in treating trauma, anxiety and behavioral disorders. Children learn to safely explore their inner self.
Self-regulation and emotional resilience
IFS improves emotional self-regulation and strengthens the self-esteem of children and young people. This enables them to better deal with difficult feelings and develop lasting emotional resilience.
Couple and family therapy
New ways of dealing with conflicts
In family and couples therapy, IFS clarifies conflict-ridden dynamics by examining the individual inner parts of each family member or partner.
This promotes deep understanding of the needs of others and supports respectful communication.
Deeper understanding of partners
Couples and families report improved emotional exchange and strengthened connection.
Working with IFS makes it easier to reduce misunderstandings and resolve conflicts in the long term, leading to more harmonious relationships.
Coaching
Self-access for clearer decisions
In coaching, IFS helps to resolve personal or professional blockages by identifying inner parts. This leads to clearer, more authentic decisions and strengthens the clients' sense of self-efficacy, giving them more clarity in their life decisions.
Crisis management and resilience IFS offers tools for effectively managing crises. Clients learn to reflect on their emotional reactions, which leads to more inner peace and stability and strengthens resilience to stressful situations.
Personal development
Self-knowledge and transformation
IFS offers a valuable framework for people who want to get to know themselves better. For example, in phases of change or the personal search for meaning. By working with inner parts, clients recognize unconscious patterns and transform limiting beliefs.
More self-confidence and self-compassion
The method promotes self-confidence and a deeper connection to one's own needs. Clients report personal growth and emotional resilience that they can experience and implement in everyday life.
Schools, companies
and other institutions
Sustainably improve team dynamics
IFS can be used in educational institutions and companies to improve group and team dynamics. The inner parts approach helps to understand individual reactions and optimize communication.
Promote a respectful working environment
The application of IFS leads to a more respectful and appreciative way of dealing with one another. This has a positive effect on the working atmosphere and improves cooperation in different institutions.
Effectiveness & Research
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an internationally established therapy and counseling model with a growing research base. Its effectiveness has been investigated in clinical trials for over two decades—from physical illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis to depressive symptoms and the treatment of complex post-traumatic stress disorders.
Recognition: Evidence-based procedure
In 2015, the US Department of Health and Human Services (SAMHSA) included Internal Family Systems in its National Register of Evidence-Based Programs (NREPP)—recognized as effective for overall mental well-being and for the treatment of phobias, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. The register was discontinued in 2018 for funding policy reasons; however, the scientific evidence that led to its inclusion remains valid.
Current state of research (2025)
A systematic review by Buys (2025, Clinical Psychologist) summarizes 27 published studies and classifies IFS as a promising therapeutic approach for chronic pain, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder—while simultaneously noting the need for further randomized controlled trials. The research base is growing accordingly—we will report on this regularly here.
Selection of current clinical studies on IFS
Meta-study
Scoping Review (2025) — Systematic review of 27 published studies (Buys, Clinical Psychologist). IFS is classified as a "promising approach" for chronic pain, depression, and PTSD; further RCTs are recommended for methodological confirmation.
IFS in (complex) PTSD
PARTS-SUD (2025) — Pilot study on IFS in comorbid PTSD and substance use disorder. Reduction of PTSD symptoms and cravings over 12 weeks; high acceptance and willingness to recommend.
PARTS Study (2024) — First proof-of-concept study of an online group-based IFS program (16 weeks group + 8 individual sessions) for PTSD, conducted at Cambridge Health Alliance / Harvard Medical School. Clinically significant reduction of PTSD symptoms in 53% of participants by week 24; high acceptance.
Hodgdon et al. (2021) — Pilot study on IFS therapy in adults with complex PTSD following multiple childhood traumas. After 16 sessions, over 90% of participants no longer met the DSM-IV-TR criteria for PTSD; significant improvements were observed in depression, dissociation, and low self-esteem.
IFS in depression
Haddock et al. (2017) — Pilot RCT in young women (college students) with depressive symptoms. IFS and standard treatment (CBT/IPT) showed similar symptom reductions — first evidence that IFS can compete with established methods for depression.
IFS in rheumatoid arthritis
Shadick et al. (2013) — Randomized controlled trial (proof-of-concept) in rheumatoid arthritis. IFS-based intervention led to improvements in pain, physical function, depressive symptoms, and self-compassion; effects on pain and self-compassion remained stable one year after completion.
Further studies
An early randomized controlled trial (Shadick et al., 2013, n=79) examined an IFS-based psychotherapy program for rheumatoid arthritis compared to an educational control condition. Results showed improvements in pain, physical function, depression, and self-compassion, with several effects remaining stable at one-year follow-up (Journal of Rheumatology, 40(11):1831–41). In a pilot RCT with college students with depression (Haddock et al., 2017, n=32), IFS demonstrated comparable symptom reduction to CBT and IPT: both groups improved significantly, with no statistically meaningful difference between approaches – suggesting clinical equivalence of IFS to established standards (Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 43(1):131–44). Hodgdon et al. (2021/22) investigated a 16-session IFS protocol for complex PTSD following multiple childhood traumas (n=17). At completion, over 90% of remaining participants no longer met DSM-IV-TR criteria for PTSD; significant reductions in depression, dissociation, and self-deprecation were also observed (Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 31(1):22–43). The PARTS program (Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard) was evaluated in a proof-of-concept study with 15 participants receiving a 16-week online group format combined with eight individual sessions. PTSD symptom severity decreased with effect sizes of d=–0.7 (week 16) and d=–0.9 (week 24); 53% showed a clinically meaningful response on the CAPS-5 (Psychological Trauma, APA, PMID 38934934). A pilot study by Ally et al. (2025, n=10) evaluated the PARTS-SUD protocol for comorbid PTSD and substance use disorder (12-week group format, 6 individual sessions). PTSD symptoms declined by an average of 1.7 points per week (p=.002) and craving by 0.25 points per week (p=.014). Acceptability was 86%, with 92% of participants indicating they would recommend the program (Frontiers in Psychiatry, DOI 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1544435). A recent scoping review by Buys (2025) synthesized 27 studies on the evidence base for IFS, including 17 case studies, 5 quasi-experimental designs, 3 qualitative studies, and 2 RCTs. IFS is characterized as promising – particularly for chronic pain, depression, and PTSD (Clinical Psychology, DOI 10.1080/13284207.2025.2533127).
Research on IFS outside of psychotherapy
In addition to clinical applications, research on IFS is growing in non-therapeutic fields. Three areas are currently particularly active:
Quality Assurance & Certification
Continuing education and training in IFS is regulated internationally through a dedicated sponsoring organization: The IFS Institute (IFSI), founded by the model's founder Dr. Richard C. Schwartz and based in the USA, defines the globally valid training standards and maintains the public directory of certified IFS therapists.
Numerous IFS-oriented training courses are available on the market that are not registered with the IFSI and whose qualifications do not entitle participants to IFS certification. The IFS Academy is an officially IFSI-recognized training provider in German-speaking countries — our IFS Level 1 and 2 training courses (including IFIO) are formally eligible for certification as a Certified IFS Therapist or Certified IFS Practitioner.
The certification process
The certification process is carried out by the international IFS institute.
The following requirements must be met to become a Certified IFS Therapist:
1
a) Completion of Levels 1 and 2 or
b) Completion of Level 1 and participation as an assistant ("PA" - Program Assistant)
2
15 hours of participation in an IFS training course (e.g. Level 2/3, PA activity, IFS annual conference, IFS workshops/retreats by certified IFS therapists)
and
15 hours of supervision by approved IFS Approved Clinical Consultants (including 7 hours of individual supervision)
3
Recommendation from a certified IFS therapist.
The IFS therapist must have previously observed you at least once in your role as an IFS therapist during a session (live session, recorded session, demo session).
4
Demonstration of an IFS session (45-60 min) in front of a certification auditor.
5
Recertification is mandatory every two years.
Origin & Development
Prof. Dr. Richard Schwartz
Prof. Dr. Richard Schwartz is a renowned psychologist and family therapist who is best known as the founder of the Internal Family Systems (IFS).
He discovered the approach as a young therapist and has since continued to develop and research it over decades. Today, IFS is a scientifically based, internationally recognized psychotherapy method.
He is the author of numerous publications and is a sought-after speaker at international conferences. He is known for his clear, practical presentation of the method at eye level.
Schwartz also founded the IFS Institute, which is now recognized worldwide as the leading institution for the training and development of IFS therapists.
The emergence of IFS
The therapist who learns from his clients
Internal Family Systems was developed in the early 1980s by Dr. Richard Schwartz. He noticed that his clients spoke of different “parts” of their personality, similar to separate individuals.
As a systemic family therapist, he was fascinated by these inner dynamics and investigated whether it was possible to treat these parts in a similar way to family members in family therapy.
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The central role of the inner parts
Schwartz found that many parts have a protective function, even when their behavior appears problematic. For example, a client's pessimistic part fulfilled its function by preventing her from taking risks in order to protect her from possible disappointment.
This led to a central maxim of IFS:
All parts are welcome!
The concept of SELF
The SELF is a central aspect of IFS. Schwartz discovered that behind the various inner parts there is a stable and compassionate core, which he calls the SELF. This SELF is naturally calm, curious and compassionate. It has the ability to guide and harmonize all inner parts so that they can work in harmony with one another.
The realization: The SELF is intact in every person and can heal burdened parts.
Evolution of IFS: Real teamwork!
Over the last 40 years, IFS has become widely used in the psychotherapeutic community and has fundamentally changed the understanding of internal psychological processes.
The method and its application have since been further developed and shaped by numerous therapists: including Susan McConnell, Michi Rose and Cece Sykes as well as Tom Holmes, Martha Sweezy and Frank Anderson. IFS has also been further developed in Germany, including by Dr. Uta Sonneborn as Integrative IFS.
Numerous people have also contributed to bringing the method into society: for work and school, families and education, for certain social groups, athletes or political activists.
In 2023, Susan McConnell and Michi Rose were honored for their contribution to IFS.
In Germany, the association IFS Germany eV is committed to the dissemination and research of IFS, as well as the networking of users.
"For the past decade, my dream has been to expand IFS beyond the boundaries of psychotherapy and bring it into other areas, using it for other issues and marginalized populations."
Dr. Richard Schwartz
in "Freeing Self - IFS beyond the therapy room"
The international IFS Institute (IFSI)
In 2000, Richard Schwartz founded the IFS Institute, which is dedicated to the dissemination and teaching of IFS.
The institute offers numerous training courses and creates a global community for therapists and coaches who use IFS. The further development of teaching, the latest research results, publications and activities are bundled here.
International teaching and dissemination of IFS under one roof
IFS partner institutes worldwide
The IFSI works with official partner institutes worldwide to disseminate IFS and support the professional training of therapists.
The partner institutes work closely with the IFSI to ensure that the content and standards of the training courses remain consistent and of the highest level worldwide. The IFS AKADEMIE is the official partner institute for Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Advantages of IFS
IFS is scientifically based and enables us to achieve profound, sustainable healing processes.
#1
EFFECTIVENESS
Through IFS we can sustainably strengthen our emotional resilience.
#2
RESILIENCE
IFS strengthens our ability to have healthy and authentic relationships.
#3
RELATIONSHIP ABILITY
Our invulnerable, healthy core remains intact even when faced with psychological challenges.
There's no pathologizing.
#4
INVULNERABLE CORE
IFS can provide us with spiritual dimensions and profound transcendent experiences.
#5
SPIRITUALITY
IFS promotes an attitude of compassion, which becomes an inner compass in our dealings with ourselves and others.
#6
SELF-CARE
IFS enables intuitive approaches and creative expression.
#7
INTUITION &
CREATIVITY
With IFS we can perceive our feelings and behaviors without completely identifying with them.
#8
MINDFULNESS
IFS enables us to safely process painful experiences without retraumatization.
#9
SECURITY
IFS can be used in many different ways -
from business coaching to the treatment of complex trauma.
#10
DIVERSITY
IFS is suitable for all age groups, educational levels and cultural backgrounds.
Individual, couple and group settings are possible.
#11
FLEXIBILITY
IFS can be combined with other therapeutic approaches and is flexible in practice.
#12
COMBINABILITY
The IFS process feels natural and effortless.
#13
RELIEF
The IFS process is clearly structured and gives us orientation.
#14
STRUCTURE
IFS is an effective method for emotion regulation.
#15
SELF-REGULATION
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