Internal Family Systems

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an empowering, transformative psychotherapy developed by Richard Schwartz, PhD that helps people tap into their innate potential for wholeness and wellbeing.   It is a powerful and gentle mind-body therapy that helps people gain deep insight into and appreciation for their parts, repairing attachment wounds and resolving trauma.  (Text source: IFS Institute)

"Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, and the understanding that we all contain valuable parts that are forced into extreme roles to deal with pain and disappointment, has been one of the great advances in trauma therapy. Understanding the role they have played in our survival and being able to unburden the original traumas leads to self-compassion and inner harmony. The notion that all of our parts are welcome is truly revolutionary and opens up a path to self-acceptance and self-leadership. IFS is one of the cornerstones of effective and lasting trauma therapy." --Bessel van der Kolk, MD, author of The Body Keeps the Score