Many times when we become anxious, we view our rapid heartbeat, heavy breathing, and cold sweat as an inconvenience. But according to Richard Schwartz, the originator of Internal Family Systems (IFS), we need to understand these symptoms differently. In fact, he argues, we need to learn how to befriend them. Then and only then, he says, can we not only heal the trauma that constricts us, but help these symptoms abate as well.
In this video clip with Networker editor Rich Simon, Schwartz explains his method.
As Schwartz explains, trauma survivors can actually begin a dialogue with their fearful “inner parts” and take the first step in moving from being frozen in a traumatic moment in the past to entering into the present.
“In the absence of self-leadership, inner parts become scared, rigid, and polarized, like older kids in a parentless house,” Schwartz says in his Networker article. “With IFS, things like flashbacks, dissociation, and panic attacks are useful signposts indicating what needs to happen in therapy. Beneath the surface of their parts, all clients have an undamaged, healing self.”
Rich Simon
Richard Simon, PhD, founded Psychotherapy Networker and served as the editor for more than 40 years. He received every major magazine industry honor, including the National Magazine Award. Rich passed away November 2020, and we honor his memory and contributions to the field every day.
Richard Schwartz
Richard C. Schwartz, PhD, began his career as a systemic family therapist and an academic. Grounded in systems thinking, Dr. Schwartz developed Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy in response to clients’ descriptions of various internal parts. He focused on the relationships among these parts and noticed systemic patterns across clients. When their parts felt safe and could relax, his clients would spontaneously feel confident, open, and compassionate. Dr. Schwartz dubbed this state the Self and discovered that clients knew how to heal their parts when they were in Self. Dr. Schwartz is often a featured speaker for national professional organizations. He has published over fifty articles and many books about IFS. Website: https://ifs-institute.com
