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.
.png)
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.
Join us
Find out more about the IFS method and sign up for the newsletter!