Dr Richard Schwartz is an American family therapist and the creator of Internal Family Systems (IFS), a gentle, parts-based approach to understanding yourself. [1] He founded the IFS Institute, has written more than 10 books including No Bad Parts, and is a Teaching Associate in Psychiatry at Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard Medical School teaching affiliate. [1]
Who is Richard Schwartz?
Richard trained as a family therapist. While working with clients, he noticed that they often spoke about different “parts” of themselves, each with its own feelings and goals. He began applying ideas from family therapy to this inner family, and Internal Family Systems was born. [1]
He went on to found the IFS Institute, which trains therapists and teaches the model around the world. [1] He is a Teaching Associate in Psychiatry at Cambridge Health Alliance, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, and has written more than 10 books and over 50 articles. [1]
His books include Internal Family Systems Therapy, Introduction to Internal Family Systems, You Are the One You’ve Been Waiting For, The Mosaic Mind (with Regina Goulding) and, for a general audience, No Bad Parts. [1] He lives near Chicago. [1]
His approach in brief
- Notice a part. A feeling, thought or urge.
- Get curious. Ask what it wants for you.
- Lead from Self. Calm, curious and kind.
- Help it unburden. Let old roles relax.
At a glance
Known for: Creating Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Topics: Parts, Self, self-compassion, inner healing
Format: Books, training and talks
Books: No Bad Parts, Internal Family Systems Therapy
Institute: IFS Institute
Good fit if
You notice an inner critic or competing inner voices, and want a kind, curious way to understand them rather than fight them.
Our take
A compassionate, practical model of the mind. Start with his IFS Institute video, then read No Bad Parts.
Richard Schwartz’s key ideas
These come from his books and the IFS Institute. Tap a card to read more.
We all have parts
IFS starts from the idea that the mind is naturally made up of many sub-personalities, or parts. Having parts is normal, not a sign that something is wrong. [1]
You can hear them when you say “part of me wants to go, and part of me wants to stay home.” IFS invites you to get to know them.
No bad parts
The title of his best-known book sums up his central message: there are no bad parts. Even a harsh inner critic or a habit you’d like to change is trying, in its own way, to protect you. [1]
Instead of fighting a part, IFS asks what it is worried would happen if it stopped doing its job.
The Self
Beneath the parts, Richard describes a core Self that everyone has and that cannot be damaged. It shows up as qualities he calls the eight Cs: calm, curiosity, compassion, confidence, courage, clarity, creativity and connectedness.
In IFS, the Self is the natural leader of the inner system and the one who helps parts heal.
Managers, firefighters and exiles
IFS groups parts into three broad roles:
- Managers try to keep life under control, for example by planning, pleasing or criticising.
- Firefighters step in quickly when painful feelings surface, for example through distraction.
- Exiles are younger parts that carry old hurts and are often kept out of awareness.
Our complete IFS guide explains each in more detail.
Unburdening
When a part feels understood by the Self, it can let go of the beliefs and feelings it has been carrying, which IFS calls burdens. This is known as unburdening.
Parts don’t disappear. They are freed to take on roles they prefer, and the whole system becomes more relaxed and balanced.
Videos with Richard Schwartz
Hand-picked and checked one by one: Richard explaining IFS in his own words, plus clear introductions from other channels.
Start here
No Bad Parts
Going deeper
Articles about Richard Schwartz
Richard Schwartz’s books
Richard’s books are published worldwide. These are the best places to start.
Find his books in your country: US · UK · Canada · Australia · India.
Where to learn IFS
The IFS Institute runs professional training for therapists, online programmes for the public, and a directory of IFS practitioners. [1] [2]
IFS practitioners and training are available in many countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Europe and India, and many sessions run online.
What the Research Shows
IFS research is growing. Two ideas at its heart, meeting yourself with kindness and welcoming difficult feelings rather than fighting them, have been studied more widely.
- Self-compassion. Treating yourself with the kindness you would show a friend is linked with greater wellbeing and resilience. [3]
- Accepting feelings. People who habitually accepted difficult thoughts and feelings, rather than judging them, reported better psychological health. [4]
Frequently asked questions
Who is Richard Schwartz?
An American family therapist who created Internal Family Systems (IFS) and founded the IFS Institute.
What is Internal Family Systems?
A model that sees the mind as made up of parts, led by a calm, compassionate Self.
What does No Bad Parts mean?
That every part, even a harsh one, is trying to help or protect you.
What are the eight Cs?
Calm, curiosity, compassion, confidence, courage, clarity, creativity and connectedness.
What are managers, firefighters and exiles?
The three broad roles parts take in IFS.
Where can I train in IFS?
Through the IFS Institute, which runs training worldwide.
Which of his books should I read first?
Most readers start with No Bad Parts.
Sources
- IFS Institute: Richard C. Schwartz, PhD
- IFS Institute: Store
- Neff, Self-Compassion: An Alternative Conceptualization of a Healthy Attitude Toward Oneself, Self and Identity 2003
- Ford et al., The Psychological Health Benefits of Accepting Negative Emotions and Thoughts, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2018
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