Dr. Richard Schwartz explains Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Founding developer , Richard Schwartz, gives an overview of the Internal Family Systems model.
Learn more at ifs-institute.com/
The mission of IFS Institute is to bring more Self leadership to the world. We provide IFS training for professionals, a practitioner directory for those looking for IFS trained providers, and international learning opportunities for those exploring personal growth through IFS. We want to make our programs as inclusive and accessible as they are informative and inspiring.

[@Michael-zp9kl]

I’ve been studying the healing arts for 15 years. IFS is one of the most powerful systems I’ve found. Understanding the mind as a multiplicity is a major break through.

[@Drkristasplace]

YES! Totally agree. Finally. a way to move forward without pathologizing multiplicity... Hallelujah for Dr. Schwartz making this huge paradigm shift for psychotherapy, psychology, and healing...particularly self healing & self love. Beautiful!

[@psychological8730]

But didn't Freud and ,even more so, Jung come to the same conclusion? For instance the process of Individuation in Jungian psychology to reach The Self involves confronting other aspects of your psyche such as The Shadow, Anima/Animus, Unconscious.

[@johnatherton878]

@@psychological8730 One can certainly see a similarity! In addition, look at Karen Horney's concept of the "Real Self." INTERESTING!

[@Johnny-lu6zt]

Being a firefighter and still active for 36 years my therapist saved my life. She studied under him during this process I can process trauma from calls. That’s totally unbelievable. The places a person can go in the mid brain are I just can’t explain.

[@Scribbler02]

The best therapists I’ve had practiced these theories. I could never have healed otherwise.

[@Madkalibyr]

I’ve recently started therapy and am learning about IFS. It’s been very helpful, I carry so much burden attached to every thought and action, therapy has helped release traumas that shape my perception.

[@AlexandraMaria]

My traumas are currently shaping my perception and I just came across this and glad to see this comment gives me hope that my problems and be solved soon

[@teresamanley3536]

Lll)))

[@eggman5436]

just started therapy mainly focused on ifs and all i can say is it's a beautiful and revealing experience.

[@tinydancer2024]

I love IFS! It has been totally life-changing for me personally, me as a therapist, my clients, and people close to me. Really brilliant modality. Spiritual, compassionate, holistic, non-dualistic, hopeful, helpful. I’m very grateful to Richard Schwartz and everyone who has helped develop the model.

[@elevatedconsciousness9852]

If you turn your brightness really really low he looks like a talking head with floating hands like Andross in Star Fox.

[@Aellipsistical]

this actually gave me chuckle. Thanks for that.

[@haileyeet167]

Home church Growth thank you for giving me a laugh

[@richardlong5928]

I just laughed out loud!! 😂 So spot on.

[@jonaspinall5059]

A great use of my time 😂

[@MegaXwillx]

lmao

[@HeatherGg15]

I’ve experienced a bit of parts on my own before learning about IFS. Needless to say it was terrifying, especially since I had been doing research on dissociative disorders. My parts were similar but not similar or intense enough to be considered DID or OSDD. I went through a year of confusion and fear, trying to deal with this while also trying to convince myself I was fine. But then a friend of mine showed me this theory. It’s only been about a week but I’ve spent so much time with my parts and learned so much about them. I’ve been communicating with parts that I actively ran away from before, and explored the hurt felt by another. I see my parts, they have names, faces, attributes and personalities. I have a feeling I’ll be exploring myself and working with them to get through my day to day in the future

[@jeansroses7249]

how did you become so familiar with your parts? are you working with a therapist?

[@HeatherGg15]

@@jeansroses7249 actually, no. It’s kind of a complicated story but I pretty much developed an interest in DID and OSDD through Mulitiplicityandme and a few osdd channels, and had unconsciously begun to explore the idea of multiplicity in myself, and found some parts that begun to express themselves. I, at the time and still do, believed it was a coping mechanism to handle a lot of the mental health and hormonal imbalance symptoms I deal with, which were very scary and intense at the time since I was off my hormonal medication. Almost every attribute could be attached to the faces and voices I realized I had. I knew I didn’t have DID and the symptoms weren’t quite lining up with OSDD so it was really scary for me, and there was a lot of self doubt and absolute terror to even talk about it for a long time. I got back on my medication and the parts quieted but never really went away. But it’s been a much smoother road since discovering IFS. I do plan on seeing a therapist who is experienced in part work and dissociation to get a better perspective and more help.

[@HeatherGg15]

Long story short, I discovered them on accident and spent a lot of time with them during a particularly rough point in my life.

[@royce6485]

Awesome. Im in a similar boat. I have plurality going on, but not even close to be diagnosed with OSDD. Glad to know it helped you!

[@annabelleplouffe8634]

Do they go away or quiet down more once noticed, understood and healed? Cause I cannot deal with being 23 and still being 17,7 sometimes

[@drodsou]

So cool to find this is an actual therapy. I've came to this by myself in my meditation practice for quite some time now and I find it the most powerful technique I've ever tried, it's my everyday bread and butter now as anything else feel like wasting time and effort. I call it "inner coaching" as it feels like finally someone has come to town to put the disbanded inner team together and take it to the major league. Also love the fact that it's both deep therapy and a doorstep to non-dual states in the same package, a unified way for deep human transformation and evolution IMO. I'll be studying this to find what I missed out.

[@Ephilates2024]

What did you read or what are you reading that you’d recommend about IFS?

[@Johnny-lu6zt]

I will say this brain spotting therapy and IFS has saved my personal life and my firefighting career. Feeling better every day

[@ensorcelledether1815]

I'm so excited to discover this! I didn't know there was a field and so many people utilizing this concept. I independently discovered this same idea years ago, maybe 2006, and I referred to the "parts" as "archetypes", because Jung's archetypes were the closest to this idea that I had found. I considered myself and anyone else to be like a world unto themselves, populated by these segments of the self that seemed to develop over time in accordance with experiences. These lumped behaviors, feelings, reactions and concepts became grouped, habitual. They could be described as having personalities of their own, often mirroring the source of their assimilation. The wider personality was the grouping of all these parts and the way it was experienced by the self and others. It seemed natural to me, as all things are built of smaller parts. It's like everyone was referring to the forest as "that tree", and speculating whether it was an ash or birch. The more often aspects arose in response to the environment, the more easily they could be detected, named and considered. They were not truly neatly defined as a name would imply, but naming allowed me to point to the diffuse grouping and recognize it when it next arose, or to call it up at will, analyze it's origin and nature, compare it with others archetypes and their interactions, and hopefully lessen it's unconscious arising, if it is of problematic nature for the situation. If anyone happens to be curious, I did make a list online so that I could explore some of their individual natures and their arising through images (mainly): you can search for "archetypecatalyst" and click on the Archetypes section on the Catalyst tumblr to find it. I'm definitely going to be delving into the research that's been done. I found this method of self analysis and transmutation to be of significant personal benefit and I now I get to augment it with research? Yes please. Delving into these parts of the self reveals a vast amount of information, builds an incredibly specific and concise language to describe emotional experience, reminds the experiencer of the space between their awareness and their experience, allows the experiencer to modify and add to their collection of parts, and can free the experiencer from unfortunate habitual patterns over time with practice, determination and awareness. I noticed that a part seems to surge up after identification, occurring slightly more often in the next few weeks. Perhaps it's just that effect where you learn about something and then start seeing it everywhere, but it felt like it could be a bit more than that. After you explore more and more you begin to find it shocking just how much of your behavior was subconscious and reactionary, responding partially to the past and not the present. Of course as time goes on you continue to develop new parts, so definition and analysis seem like they need to continue on or else some of that gained awareness is lost to new subconscious patterns. I also made symbols to refer to them, which allows me to make graphic representations of them and remind myself about what aspects I would prefer to be. Symbols can fit into smaller spaces than names, and they work well for recalling the desired part and allowing you to then alter the state, or the part, you are currently embodying at will. I was fascinated by this concept and I did quite a bit of personal exploration. It seemed important to me to know myself, and I wanted the truth behind the illusions I was creating. I think this method has been very helpful in that process.

[@The_New_Abnormal_World_Order]

👍👍🙏

[@traciebergeson7952]

Well said. Nice work. Thank you for writing this out.

[@xenia3143]

Thank you for these words

[@thebelleangels]

This is the same thing I've worked on with myself for years, I'm so happy there's a roadmap for it now. Hope springs eternal. xoxo

[@user-sq3bw3yl2r]

IFS holds the key to understanding people better and helping them to actually heal from the burdens of adverse childhood (and adult) experiences; it's been accelerating the effectiveness and helpfulness of my work with my clients.

[@intruthmentalhealthcounsel3776]

I feel so validated that Dick needed help remembering the 8 qualities of Self!!

[@ashberrychapman7117]

This makes huge sense to me. I found Richard and your IFS methodologies/organization via a very wise and helpful comment/review on Amazon for Gabrielle Bernstein's 'Happy Days' book on trauma healing. I'm extremely grateful and increasingly optimistic by discovering this work. I've experienced and survived massive traumas and self destructions that align very much with the notions of IFS. Dabrowski's Theory of Positive Disintegration helped save my life. I think IFS is part of my increasingly powerful rebirth. I'm a metabolic health coach and educationalist. Big experience in suicide. Including surviving a very determined attempt that would have been a homicide or multiple homicide as well. I was extraordinarily lucky and I feel blessed still to be alive to help others. Infinite love and gratitude, Alan Chapman (Live Wild Live Free, etc)

[@deldridg]

Very interesting and something I wish I had come across many years ago. I'm about to read Dr Schwartz's book and will apply my learnings to my help my own children navigate what is looking to be a very uncertain and tricky future. Cheers from Sydney - Dave

[@DebbieL72]

I just ordered the book. My therapist and I have been discovering this system together. It is helping me so much!

[@xslt1692]

Don't fall for it. It may seemingly help short-term, but the price is too high. They admit you receiving some your parts from the outside, right? But it's not all-good out there. So how can all 'parts' be good. If one gets dirty, (s)he washes the dirt away. Instead of trying to integrate it somehow, of smearing it all over

[@xslt1692]

There should be a boundary. Here I start and there I end. Here we (the humanity, the mammals, the beings that naturally evolved here on Earth) start, and here we end. But we are infected. There are parts of 'us' which are not us. That are foreing, alien. What do you think is gonna happen if you merge and fuse and mold with them?..

[@zoomerzoom9834]

@@xslt1692 i disagree

[@unseenseer]

@@xslt1692 the "parts" are like "impressions" upon and "responses" from our consciousness, and our consciousness cannot just be thrown away in the trash. Sounds like you want a lobotomy?

[@unseenseer]

@@xslt1692 We are part of 'the whole'. Ecology taught us that. Yes the "mess" is as much internal as external. Sure can use the metaphor of "washing" our internal selves clean. I didn't mean to dig so hard on your comment, but that doesn't mean it is entirely true.. your comment basically reduces to semantics. And the sense of a solid "boundary" --- or in its opposite form, a total lack or freedom from boundary--- is problematic, because we are multi-form beings with semi-permeable language and culture and selves arising from interdependent co-origination... sperm AND egg etc. . Sunlight, water, etc... This doesn't mean we can't have healthy boundaries either! We can still set boundaries in the psychological sense (etc) and work on healing the "wounded" "parts" of ourselves.

[@TheDYsmal]

i just finished his "Greater than the sum of our parts" coursed on audible. it has helped more than any other course or book i have tried! feeling better day by day! Thanks Doc!

[@zaufanyterapeuta]

Great point. Thank you Dr. Schwartz.

[@smmn722]

This man is amazing! His therapy helping me a lot !!!! And some how he is having a charismatic personality!

[@allyson--]

these are the kind of videos I like to fall asleep to, very informative & I want to learn but I always try to watch them when I'm too sleepy to learn

[@kimlec3592]

You will learn even when asleep.

[@killyGHILLIE]

your sleepy part is putting you to sleep, ask it to stepback a little so it can sink in 😊, saved my life

[@Esre_Vinu]

​@killyGHILLIE lmao bruh Can i ask my munchies part to take a step back and not snack on everything

[@allyson--]

@@Esre_Vinu Real ...

[@killyGHILLIE]

@Esre_Vinu No need my munchies part has a new role now that the excile that was choaked as a child has been healed, but I understand your scepticism.

[@panaah30]

IFS feels so intuitive once you begin to understand it!

[@dlhoffman7616]

I found this video after watching the TRUE SOVEREIGN SELF channel. Anastasia Moroney. and her partner Tony Sayers have some great video supporting this therapy.

[@stephobindmo678]

This resonates. #Grateful.

[@gaiapositivepsychologycoac4097]

Brilliant thanks

[@maggie0285]

This is interesting! I can visualize my parts. Some can't speak. Some say things I can't say. I see what my parts look like and its always been like that. I guess you can say I have an active inner life because I was taught that expressing myself meant that I was bad so I do everything on the inside. At least that's what I think. My therapist wants to do IFS therapy and it will be a first for me. I would imagine I'm going to get to connect to some much needed emotions. This therapy looks promising to me. This does sound similar to therapy for DID or multiple personality. I sometimes wonder since DID is so controversial that therapist explain that everyone has "parts" instead of coming out telling someone they have separate personalities. Like IFS model is easier to accept. Like for me I think this therapy will do wonders because I can talk about what my parts are thinking like they are separate people so it will take the pressure off of me to own up to an emotion but eventually learning to connect to that part and feel everything eventually.

[@lisaslay-z8342]

Was from ted talks ?

[@Ephilates2024]

It’s interesting that this approach emerged from how people actually speak. “One part of me thinks that…”, etc. Who says, “My superego thinks….”?

[@Quacky]

bcs freuds theories dont hold up.

[@Namari12]

Starting therapy next week, my therapist uses this system so sent me info on it... I'm a little dubious, because I've never felt like I have multiple people in me, but I'm open to learning!

[@leasmith3235]

I’ve only had a few sessions, but I have trauma bad enough that my military friends tell me that they would kill themselves if they were me and they don’t know how I’ve survived it. It felt like it released a pressure valve of trauma in me that was at its limit. I’ve never experienced anything like it. I have all of the typical critics, except for guilt. I have never wasted time feeling guilty, because I live within my integrity. Apparently I have a load of critics that need to be addressed. I start back with this type of therapy next week. I am looking forward to it.

[@carennawillmont3706]

I have come to similar awareness of childhood trauma needs to be released, so we can be free. This is after years of therapy and other healing modalities.

[@ranc1977]

Other modalities do not explain how to do the release - because any instruction, guidance and order is toxic shame and control and manipulation. The actual action has to come from our own on our own accord - that IFS described as Self leadership. That is why other modalities do not work - because therapy nor therapist cannot walk for us. They cannot make money for us. They can't go to court sessions for us when we experience abuse and bullying. They cannot have sex for us. They cannot go to parties and organizing parties for us, Therapy cannot choose music or drinks or organize weddings for us. Therapy cannot tell us what sexually gender arouses us and therapy cannot be Sherlock Holmes FBI for us to detect narcissists and uncover predators and learn red flags for us - actual life is on us. Therapy can only give us general direction without blame or discipline - and IFS, humanistic psychology - is the only one that can do that.

[@G2thesecondpower]

I wish I had discovered ifs a long time ago. Most of the talk therapy I've been in seems pretty pointless in comparison.

[@ranc1977]

CBT is making too much pharma profit of keeping traumatized abused targets of abuse in status quo state.

[@Thomasrice07]

You can find much of this approach in Jungian therapy. Also in Roberto Assagioli in "Pychosynthesis" and "The Act of the Will"

[@ranc1977]

Thanks for sharing about Roberto. I'll make videos about his quotes. I like this one: There is no certainty; there is only adventure. Without forgiveness life is governed by... an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation.

[@nicholasdasilva9]

Parts work therapy is changing my life right now

[@user-oq2hm3nk9e]

💯💯

[@Snoosemoose]

My daughter did IFS therapy with very experienced therapists on a weekly basis for 3 years. She got nowhere with unburdening or reintegrating her exile: IFS seems to be very good at explaining the problem but, from our experience, wholly ineffective at providing a solution to actual difficult problems.

[@WH-hi5ew]

Normally you can tell when you are doing part-work sucessfully because it comes alive in quite a powerful way... something profound shifts - not all sessions are like that but you need to have plenty of those to make it worthwhile to continue. It can be used as an explanatory psycho-education model but it's really best when applied and working for the client in practical terms. Having said this, not all therapists and not all types of therapy are right for everyone.

[@Snoosemoose]

@@WH-hi5ew Thanks for the reply. It's been getting on for 8 years since the problems manifested, and we tried quite a few therapists/therapies before discovering IFS. But it's been a big (and expensive) disappointment I'm afraid. We did change the IFS therapist after a year or two, but it hasn't made any difference. Thing is, my daughter understands the theory perfectly, but there is no way that any of the managers/protectors are going to move aside.... I feel that the IFS therapy should have tools for overcoming obstacles and moving the patient forward, otherwise it's just another pseudo-science.

[@WH-hi5ew]

@@Snoosemoose Does your daughter have a diagnosis? If it was BPD say, there are specific therapies targeted at BPD with specialists working in that field. Ditto PTSD. Ironically I found the most powerful healing of my own childhood trauma not through therapy (though I tried) but through ayahuasca in Peru... but then I prepared well and reaped the benefits. It was the right fit for me personally. I'm sure there is something out there that will help your daughter too.

[@Snoosemoose]

@@WH-hi5ew Thanks for your reply, I have passed it on to her. It's more complex PTSD that she has, but who knows what might help.

[@WH-hi5ew]

@@Snoosemoose Its a pleasure. For what it's worth, the Peruvian option can work very well for trauma, as it did in my own case. Temple and the Way of Light would be my recommendation for that (assuming she's well enough to go). Though there is also Soul Quest in Florida if you are in USA. You should also google MDMA therapy and PTSD/CPTSD. These are options to consider if regular talk therapy has not worked. Alternatively, Somatic Experiencing and Sensory Motor Psycotherapy are both very good alternatives to IFS (which for some can be a little cognitive rather than really shifting things).

[@shaktiveda7041]

Simply Brilliant!!!

[@truebryantcoaching]

Thank you, Dr. Schwartz! Ive got some videos on IFS and identity shifting on my channel that may be valuable. All parts welcome 🙏

[@jarijansma2207]

What a beautiful time we live in

[@basilmaurer8425]

🙄

[@Musecollective]

Parts. And they’re all good. Sounds like some dang new age stuff. 😂 I’m so grateful to be in this space. 🙏💕

[@tatianapouladian7901]

Great point. Thank you Dr. Schwartz. I am an NLP & Self Concept coach. Parts are real and very useful in helping one to heal. Thank you again.

[@benjamengabriellewis8818]

How can I use nlp to break through an attachment style?

[@orangeziggy599]

Clarity, wisdom, compassion... Insight, intuition, these are all components of Mindfulness, which can be practiced and developed.

[@lovesarita]

Yes, the difference with Mindfulness, Dick says, is that rather than just observing suffering parts from a distance, we go in and assist them from Self.

[@killyGHILLIE]

yeah agree, mindfulness is too passive for healing, you need the inner parent to hug your parts back together.

[@Star-dj1kw]

✅ so good

[@TacoCat17]

ty Jane’s dad from Breaking Bad very informative :)

[@Thandiel3791]

So I’ve been in IFS therapy for about 5 months now, and it’s been really valuable in identifying how and why parts behave the way they do. However, I’ve never had a moment where self emerges and I’m beginning to get frustrated. Has anyone else experienced this? Does self really exist for everyone?

[@dmchez]

My therapist calls it “self leadership“ that it’s the part of you that thinks the clearest during troubled situations. It can see what’s really going on when our emotions or parts are thinking in extremes. For example bullies told me every day that I was ugly and my parts believed it but my “self leadership” can go back and look at pictures of myself and see that it wasn’t true. I was a cute kid. My “self leadership” understands that it was those kids with the problem, not me.

[@vintage_violet]

I think it's the you that is the most aligned with the 8 C's he mentioned briefly. So when you feel those things emerging or abiding that when you're your truest Self. That's how I'm noticing it anyway. 🙂

[@ActivationCoaching]

Self exists for everyone, for sure. If you’re having trouble connecting with Self, it’s always a Part that is blocking that. Investigate if you have a Part that is afraid or concerned about what would happen if it stepped back and allowed Self to anchor in. It can also be helpful to imagine either a childhood pet or a small child that you know and then bring in compassion for them. Sometimes it’s easier to bring in Self that way, especially if we have a Part that is judgmental towards our own issues and feels we aren’t worthy of compassion etc. Usually even those Parts will allow us to feel compassion towards a small innocent child or a puppy. Then you can expand the Self energy from there, and apply it next to your own Parts.

[@ensorcelledether1815]

So I independently created this same type of self exploration. It took me a few years isolating "parts" (I referred to them as "archetypes"), and finding probably 80 of them, before the "Self" spontaneously emerged. It was like until then all my parts had a stronger control on my experience, and then when I realized I wasn't any of those parts but the observer, behind the observer, the field and the parts, I was suddenly free of chains I didn't realize I had. A space formed in which I could easily separate myself from emotions and interact with them in a logical way, analyzing and responding to them with choice instead of habit. Obviously it wasn't like instant enlightenment, more like a sudden flash of freedom that dims out and shines up again whenever I remember. It's so helpful to have space from the intensity of my exiles and firefighters. I'm still finding new parts, including ones squished up against my Self that attempt to color it's nature. It's like being the sun instead of the window. It's like being surrounded by a horde of ghosts who suddenly calm down and all take a seat. It's like getting into a sensory deprivation tank, and the outside world is your thoughts and emotions. It's like going wireless. It's like being in chains and turning into smoke.

[@lovesarita]

It's completey normal when there's been a lot of childhood trauma for Self to be obscured by parts who need to control the system to maintain the equilibrium they're used to: control = safety, to them. If your parts aren't able to step back in the way Dick discusses then your therapist will be holding the space of Self in your sessions, and adderssing them directly (this is called working via Direct Access). They will be noticing and encouraging the moments of Self energy that emerge as they emerge - moments of some curiosity, or non-judgment, or care, no matter how brief, and gradually these moments can lengthen and your protective system will feel safe enough to soften back more. Healing trauma is a process, no matter the therapy, especially if it's developmental/relational. It does help to work with an experienced IFS therapist or practitioner, and ideally one who is Certified, and who has specific trauma training if you have a trauma background. If you don't feel that your therapist is holding a space of Self - a tangible presence of calm, connection, curiosity, warm interest and relating with your protective system, with no judgment or agenda, and able to build relationship with them - then you might bring this up with them, and / or check their training level, and consider someone more experienced. Good luck.

[@getwetsoon]

Is it actually similar to „the inner Team“ by germanys Schulz von Thun or Not ?

[@ranc1977]

THis is Humanistic Psychology. IT is similar to any humanistic therapy.

[@lucianafasani]

❤️

[@daridari755]

Really enjoyed the info he gave but did have a quick chuckle when he said the "c-word qualities". As a Brit I had another idea of what he might have been referrring to - which was very different to 'compassion, curiousity' etc... 😅

[@ranc1977]

Pornography addiction is also exile part and protector.

[@xenia3143]

what part of you feels the need to respond to every comment @@ranc1977

[@erichbrough6097]

Beautiful talk, love the honest, humble approach to something that is really an endless mystery - speaking of endless Mystery, around 7:32 is what a number of us (call us crazy if you like) would call God or the Divine or Source - the Love that heals every wound and guides us Home!

[@waldoandmccall]

100% agree with you. Higher Power, Source Energy, or “Waldo” as I call Them/Her/Him/It!!

[@NallahBrown]

"The love that heals every wound and guides us home." WOW. Beautiful.

[@livingmedicineinstitute]

Interested in the next, spiritual level of this conversation? We are excited to share on our channel a groundbreaking interview with Dick, with the below description. In this fascinating conversation, Dick discusses for one of the first times the spiritual implications of working with parts of self. In line with many traditions of the ancient world, we appear to have many parts that we are not consciously aware of. Though most of those parts belong to us, and are best integrated and healed, some parts do not. It is these that need to be removed, and their apparent sentient nature shakes up much of what current, scientific psychology is willing to see and accept. No matter what your views, you will be fascinated by Dick’s honest report of his decades of experience working first-hand at the crossroads of psychology and spirituality. Clinical evidence has shown that IFS works, and it is one of the most widely trained psychotherapy interventions today. We cannot, then, easily dismiss Dick’s wealth of clinical experience. The implications of this conversation are immense and only beginning to be understood. Deep gratitude to both Dick and his guides for their willingness and clarity in giving this thirsted-for guidance to the psychedelic provider community.

[@kimlec3592]

Extreme beliefs gained through attachment/emotional/relational injury/ies.

[@ranc1977]

No $hit Sherlock. :D

[@liam.4454]

I tried a lot of energy therapies and they always made me worse, can this help?

[@ranc1977]

Yes.

[@liam.4454]

@@ranc1977 I'll check it out, it looks interesting

[@killyGHILLIE]

trust that you have a self and when you ask your doubtful part to stepback it will know how to heal. After 12 years of other therapy, 25 years of alcoholism and a lifetime of suffering, this is what finally solved it for me. Trust in yourself

[@llnom7801]

I feel like the different parts have different levels of maturity and sensitivity. I feel that it me. It's like they are me in a different time in the past. And the self is the most mature and actualized me. So the role of the self is to teach the different parts. It's like the different parts stopped being aware of reality at the moment of trauma. So they only know the first reaction to it. Meanwhile the self has learned things and gained perspective. And sometimes the self has to learn more in order to unburden the other parts. When the self is at the same level as a part it kind of lives in the past. But the self has always a potential to move forward.

[@Tara-hi3nm]

That's a really good way of describing it that I can intuitively relate to. Thankyou for sharing that, you articulated it well, so I can grasp how I feel more clearly 👍

[@ranc1977]

You are intellectualizing it too much. Trauma stems from toxic people and unfair unjust system and toxic society which worships psychopaths. Our Self is important - but it is not so important to place it on pedestal disconnected from toxic society and toxic ambient, IFS is accepting and loving and validating ourselves - but doing so we automatically connect with others and see problem and sickness in others. IFS is not narcissism and me me me, I I I, Self self self.

[@llnom7801]

@@ranc1977 you're right

[@ranc1977]

@@llnom7801 Interpersonal strife with those close to us leads to rifts and resentments that produce symptoms of mental illness; these problems are, in fact, the logical consequence of troubled relationships. Glasser emphasizes that lasting psychological problems are usually caused by problems in our personal relationships (rather than signifying a biochemical abnormality in the brain), and distress can be remedied through repairing these relationships without recourse to psych drugs. WILLIAM GLASSER Controlling Habits: Blaming Criticizing Complaining Nagging Rewarding To Control Threatening Punishing William Glasser William Glasser "What's my Choice" Connecting Habits: Listening Supporting Encouraging Negotiating Respecting Accepting Trusting

[@ranc1977]

@@avertingapathy3052 I agree with you. Distancing ourselves from evil people is self care and self love.

[@avertingapathy3052]

Is it really safe to do this alone for those who have trauma and possibly cptsd?

[@InternalFamilySystems]

Working with an IFS trained provider is highly recommended for those processing trauma - especially when first starting to explore your inner relationships. You can find trained IFS providers here - ifs-institute.com/practitioners

[@lovesarita]

I would seek out a Certified IFS therapist or practitioner. There are some who offer sliding scale if finances are a block. It's challenging to hold space for yourself when accessing the most vulnerable or exiled parts of ourselves, and it's normal to need support for this - and recommended when there's trauma.

[@ranc1977]

It is totally safe - you simply need education - which is available for free online. Most people who suffer from panic and anxieties do not have money to pay therapy nor books - and their panic itself is stopping them from reaching out for help even if they do have money.

[@atomnous]

IFS sounds somewhat similar with shadow work.

[@yoshihorror1948]

There is some similarity, though also some substantial difference.

[@Tpina305]

Sort of, although with IFS you actually interact with your parts and ask questions..forming a dialogue.

[@DannyD-lr5yg]

@@Tpina305 Many people do the same during shadow work. Exploring shadow work that involves directly communicating with my “shadows” is actually how I learned about IFS :)

[@ranc1977]

Shadow work does not cover trauma parts. Only repression and denial and dissociations. Trauma is much complex than that - some people do not repress trauma in traditional sense - and hence still suffer from it. So shadow work will not help for people who have higher IQ, higher moral and ethical standards due to its own complex system of thinking. IFS helps with that complex part.

[@CesarClouds]

I wish I knew this 20 years ago.

[@ranc1977]

IT is funny how IFS was invented in 1980s yet official medical community is pushing ableist CBT and DBT which does not help at all.

[@foxyshazaam3310]

Are you talking about a system, what used to be referred to as "multiple personality disorder"?

[@sleepy.dreamer]

@Foxy Shazaam Hello! I’m not sure I understand your question, but I still wanted to try to reply. IFS is a form of ‘therapy’ (in a way?) that is not only for people with “multiple personality disorder” or as it is called now DID “dissociative identity disorder.” The system he is referring to is all of your different parts (or emotions). I find it most helpful thinking of it as a little family inside you (the parts) and them functioning to allow you to do daily activities would be the system. Hmm.. I hope that makes sense? Best wishes!

[@pruemcgee637]

Hey so I am plural or have multiple personalities or DID Similar as to what he said in the video My parts are totally seperate (before starting heal) and there are totally amnesia barriers I wake up random places and alot more. There is alot more communication and less amnesia Now

[@ranc1977]

You are hooking onto 0,005% of IFS and present it as 99,5%

[@chriszablocki2460]

Work will go just fine. Be fair to me, and you'll be pleased with me as an employee.

[@stillnai]

just heard of this but having no luck reintegrating myself with...itself lol. so far been taking shrooms which at least makes me more aware and compassionate but without them it's straight back to wanting to 'throw my body away' and 'go home' i.e kms (my most stubborn part realllllllly hates it here and im feelin kinda incompetent as a parent to that part tbh)

[@ranc1977]

Obviously you are either narcissistic or you have hidden parts that is preventing you from loving yourself.

[@johnwrickel]

🦄 Dolt by John Rickel 🦄

[@debra13]

I don't know what he means about the part being the burden or understand exactly what he is saying- if this is the first video it is not very clear to those who truly want to learn- or let's say it is not clear to me

[@truebryantcoaching]

What's your question? I'd love to help

[@debra13]

@@truebryantcoaching Too personal for YT. You have a lovely voice. Thanks for responding.

[@trey4747]

Debra Davidson Hey Debra I’d recommend you to read the book ‘The Body Keeps The Score’. Chapter 17 explains IFS very well and the whole book has helped me a lot. Wishing you the best in your healing journey

[@debra13]

@@trey4747 Thanks. I will. Ooh, I am Boston, not good for him, but info may still be good. Centered around trauma though? www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/03/07/allegations-employee-mistreatment-roil-renowned-trauma-center/sWW13agQDY9B9A1rt9eqnK/story.html

[@debra13]

I'm a little confused re: this recommendation because it seems to require people who have experienced a very serious trauma, especially childhood trauma.

[@adamrosefire]

Just realized I’ve got an inner professor and inner clown.

[@ranc1977]

Google Jung Jester

[@BubblegumCreepydoll]

After reading your Book, I thought it was a good idea to try to see if I had parts to meet. It was the worst thing I’ve ever done. This is dangerous. I tried this on my own with a session you lead that I found on KZbin. The first part was a protector from childhood, but the next part looked like the living dead, she was stuck in a cave that seemed to be red with fire and soot. I couldn’t see her face but I saw a mouth with sores and decaying teeth when she spoke. She wished I was dead and told me I had abandoned her for over 30 years. When I examined where I felt her, I felt her in my arms and at that moment I saw she had shackles around her wrists. The toxic vile and anger she spewed at me scared me to death. She told me I was a worthless pice of s**t, a pushover, and many other things I can’t even say here. She was even murderous. I asked her what her name is and she answered “anger” she got in my face and said “My name is Anger. I’ve never seen anything or anyone so angry in my life and in a state of decay. Today was a horrible day for me, I’m scared, irritated and lost. I had no idea this part was inside me and now I don’t know what to do? I’m completely frozen with fear. Although she wants nothing to do with me and doesn’t trust me, she has entered my psyche and is messing with me and I don’t know what to do. I’m paralyzed with fear. Please don’t be telling people that they can meet their parts on their own. You don’t know who the F you’re going to meet and it’s highly irresponsible to tell people they can face these parts on their own. These parts can be extremely confrontational and feel dangerous, you don’t even know that they are there. DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME!!! SERIOUSLY!

[@prendezproductions9663]

Jesus is the answer. Start there. He is crazy about you...He is crazy about all of us. If we only knew how much He loves us and how important Him dying on the cross was. We all have issues. People will try all sorts of ways to find healing and peace but most haven't tried Jesus. He is the only source to true peace and love. I dare you to go all in on Christ. He will not disappoint. Thanks for sharing your story Lana, sorry you had to experience this.

[@jeansroses7249]

predez productions is correct; Jesus can handle any part of you. Just turn to Him and say, "Jesus, I give you this part of me that I've discovered. Please heal and restore this part to its rightful place in me". Continue to be in dialogue with Him about this part; ideally, at some point, you will feel compassion toward that part and move toward it, rather than continue to reject as you've understandingly done all along.

[@basilmaurer8425]

🙄

[@basilmaurer8425]

so you're saying that part looks like your profile pic? Weird 🤔

[@williammclelland2216]

Did you see this part with your eyes?

[@DonB.-Mulefivefive]

It's interesting and very revealing that on every one of Avaiya's video's the comment section is turned off. What's even more revealing is that, neither Ike or Ande have posted a single thing on FB for weeks. Why am I here now...well...simple answer. To alert the rest of you that this is a fraud, a scam of a grand scale. I received an email that presented these oh so wonderful people (sic) were holding free classes/courses to sit in on and to either watch, or listen to. When I did click on the "free" course, it took me to yet another window, asking me for credit card information . I did the background check on both of these two and found it pretty odd that neither of them have had a stable address for some time. What really got my attention is the fact that they do not provide phone number to contact this supposed university. When I did the research on this "university", it's got a few issues... And the icing on the cake was when I looked at both of their profiles on FB and found that neither one has had a single thing to say in weeks. This has all the earmarks and trappings of a scam . Avaiya has been named in a consumer complaint and legal recourse has been sought. You do not, piss off a vet who has the where with all to research you and find you're practicing fraud. Buyer beware. You'd be better off going to a library and finding written books on the subject matter and joining support groups. All this outfit wants to do is to prey on those who are desperate and living in fear. Jig's up people.

[@gmess38]

If one could explain this concept and thus actually NOT explain this (to the layperson), this guy just did it. I learned nothing. I'm shinking someone could do this better. PLEASE DO !

[@ranc1977]

Inability to be patient is trauma itself. Urge for greed and immediate gratification is trauma itself - we learned that in ACoA ACE toxic ambient.

[@graypebble24]

*slurp sound*

[@therealKINDLE]

No one is _born_ with parts. Our environment shapes us, including our personality. Tabula Rasa. Schwartz is obsessed with talking about "parts" as if it is a discovery! Dr Gabor Maté is way ahead of this guy, but I accept that some need to start somewhere.

[@LelaStrika]

it’s another bs haha Just more names for a human psychology

[@robster7012]

Yet you haven't experienced it? I have experienced many modalities and I can honestly say this is helping me the most

[@ranc1977]

@@robster7012 She is psychopath and impulsive borderline. Some people enjoy their mental illness.

[@MrJijack]

Does it ever feel a bit schizophrenic to think he have parts with sub-personalities?

[@williammclelland2216]

No. Schizophrenia does not mean somebody has multiple personalities. Wrong disorder.

[@ranc1977]

Schizophrenia is when we start to connect random data as all important and all connected.

[@trixy8669]

1. Forcing your clients to become schizos is abusive and absurd. 2. The system makes little sense. It’s not clear what Self or parts are let alone how they relate to each other. If the Self is composed of parts with sub personalities and aspects of the sub personalities conflict with other sub personalities then it’s unclear how a harmonious Self can exist. If the parts are in conflict and the Self is a whole of its parts then the Self shouldn’t be able to coexist with conflict. It’s ludicrous. 3. There’s absolutely no evidence for any of this except for mistaking a metaphor for reality. Idiocy. 4. This therapy will exacerbate mental illness by distorting the perception of reality through the insistence of little people in one’s head who don’t exist. 5. This whole system is a huge distraction from the root of mental illness which is a combination of identifying self in non-self and feeling forced to conform to a materialist society. What. A. Joke. This isn’t science, it’s new age bullshit.

[@dad2054]

Have you googled any psychological studies on it? Watched any other therapists that talk about this? Have you tried this with any of your patients? Have you tried it on yourself? Do you suffer from child hood trauma? If you did you might understand what hes saying. If you dont then where are you getting your info from?

[@trixy8669]

@@dad2054 Are you delusional? Why would I induce mental illness in myself? This system is abusive, stupid, and ridiculous. He literally made it up. It’s not grounded in anything but fantasy.

[@sfdennis1]

YOU CAN SPEAK FOR YOURSELF, BUT NOT FOR ME...OR FOR OTHERS! Contrary to your rant, IFS has been tremendously beneficial for my own self-acceptance, mental health and healing. Not every methodology is effective for everyone an you are free to NOT participate in IFS based therapy, but I have actual experience with the technique and 100% disagree with your (unsubstantiated) claims.

[@BubblegumCreepydoll]

I don’t know what to make of this but this is no joke. I don’t want to have anything to do with IFS. This is a dangerous game. Seriously it can be dangerously damaging and do more harm than good, in my opinion. What I experienced from IFS was a complete mind fuc*ery. DON’T DO IT! It’s not science, it’s more like sorcery and witchcraft. Seriously! I tried it and it scared me to death.

[@yasmineb6252]

@@BubblegumCreepydoll why?

[@tiaturnbullchampionscoachi9587]

For years I have gone down an elevator 🛗 in my mind and at the bottom a big steel double door opens into a conference room where a bunch of people I have chosen to give their opinions are sitting. For years some of the people I invited that were lasting because I valued their opinions( my chosen role models because I valued something I that I learned about them) were Frederick Douglass, Audrey Hepburn, Harriet Tubman, Joseph Campbell, my 5 year old niece, M.L.K. Jr., etc. Over the years I have added people, Stephen Covey, James Redfield, Bruce Lipton Joe Dispenza, etc.. Then I started including aspects of myself that I had been judging and denying; shadows. Now I have a KZbin playlist where I start with a guided meditation, I do a visualization of a shadow character( Whatever in any given time I feel I am missing and need to integrate) I have a loving re-embracing conversation with the character, then I have a royal ceremony at the conference table. My playlist has horns, I announce the Character/attribute/quality showing up in the form I created in my guided mediation, they step into the room and are announced with royal introduction horns, then a standing ovation plays and the character sits next to me at the head of the table as an honored guest while all the other attribute characters are wildly applauding the new one. I make a vow to always listen, pay attention and that this character will always be held as important and valuable at the table. I have been adding characters whenever I notice that something is needed in my life experience. It is always easy to embody the missing or judged attribute into a character form. I am finding this process amazing for allowing me to love myself in every aspect needed to deal with any situation. If I am holding myself back it is due to something good inside me that I have been falsely trained as bad or believed was bad due to some past experience. I found found no bad ones, all useful and helpful to my successful life journey. They only cause me problems if I am ignoring them instead of embracing them. ❤ Sometimes I will call a conference about something thar I am working on to get different perspectives according to the different characters. I ask questions and call upon whoever wants to add their opinion. I listen observe, let them have their say, consider it and make my decisions. I am looking forward to listening to and understanding the relationships these protector, excited and rejected parts have with each other by listening to Dr. Schwartz.

[@davidfrey5654]

I got to the end of this video and I still don't know what the heck Internal Family Systems is. It sounds like gobbly gook to me.

[@avertingapathy3052]

A more complex model that focuses on three types of parts, inner child/protector and manager. Seems roughy similar to id, super ego, and ego in its categories, except there could be multiples of each. Some parts get repressed after severe trauma etc. Often they adopt negative strategies to help you survive because they are "stuck" at an age where they incurred the trauma. Bringing all of the parts under the guidance of you in the present using his methods to identify and dialog with them helps update their strategies that are no longer helpful. Might help someone shattered after a trauma put themselves together possibly, but sounds like some neolib woo to be honest.

[@spiritlevelstudios]

Same. Sounds like cult-like straight-edge gibberish similar to 12 step programs.

[@ranc1977]

@@spiritlevelstudios Do you really realistically think that super Complex PTSD which is puzzling to the greatest minds in humanity and human history - will have super easy explanation and resolution?