books • links • articles • research

Detailed information about the IFS model is available on the IFS Institute website at:

https://ifs-institute.com/

See also the Videos page on under the resources tab

IFS Therapy conversations with Dick Schwartz and Michelle Glass can be found here

Books (all books can be purchased from the IFS Institute website)

Internal Family systems therapy second e

Internal Family Systems Therapy - 2nd Edition

By Dr Richard C. Schwartz and Martha Sweezy

"This is the authoritative presentation of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, which is taught and practiced around the world".

An absolute cracker of a book - the most thorough overview of the model available.

Introduction to the Internal Family Systems Model by Dr Richard Schwartz

An easy to read introduction to the IFS model with guided exercises for accessing parts.

"One of the fastest growing approaches to psychotherapy. It has developed over the past twenty years into a way of understanding and treating human problems that is empowering, effective and nonpathologizing"

Why did I do that by Dorie Cameron

A really quick read that explains IFS in simple language.

"This visual introduction to the IFS model was created to help make it accessible to as many people as possible. May this book serve as a gentle invitation and offering of hope for every person who has ever wondered "Why did I do that?", "Am I truly bad?" and "What does it mean to 'love yourself' anyway?"

Daily Parts Meditation Practice by Michelle Glass

Michelle offers copious creative strategies for mapping and externalising parts throughout the journey of healing and provides a framework for meeting daily with parts as a way creating deep the relationship between Self and parts.

CD - "Meditations for Self" by Richard C. Schwartz

Short meditations led by Richard Schwartz -

"Richard Schwartz, founder of the Internal Family Systems model of psychotherapy, leads these meditations to help you develop more awareness and love for your parts. His confident, calm manner provides gentle guidence to your inner exploration. These meditations can become the foundation of a daily practice designed to bring more self leadership to your life." (From the CSL website)

Articles

OUTLOOK magazine - https://www.foundationifs.org/news/outlook

Self to Self Journal - https://www.derekscott.co/rs/category/self-to-self/

Inside the Revolutionary Treatment That Could Change Psychotherapy Forever -

https://elemental.medium.com/inside-the-revolutionary-treatment-that-could-change-psychotherapy-forever-8be035d54770

How do I come off antidepressants? an interview with Dr Mark Horowitz - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8unAazf7pss

Polyvagal Theory explained. This will change your life forever - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27FSiBqEDUs

Free ACA CPD - https://www.artandplaytherapytraining.com.au/free

Transference Focused Therapy for early developmental trauma - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14fW-VUiCQA

Validated Research

Internal Family Systems Therapy is now posted on NREPP* as an evidence based practice.

The longitudinal randomized clinical study, which involved 70- some patients in an IFS treatment during 36 weeks with periodic follow-ups including 12 months post- intervention, was published in August 2013 in the peer-reviewed Journal of Rheumatology.

This research has been shown to reduce pain and depression indices and improve physical function in patients with chronic arthritis (RA)

To view the study visit:

A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Internal Family Systems-based Psychotherapeutic Intervention on Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Proof-of-Concept Study by Nancy A. Shadick et al.

The Journal of Rheumatology, Vol. 45, Issue 12, 1 Dec 2018. DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.121465

For more information on IFS research see:

https://www.foundationifs.org/news/79-ifs-an-evidence-based-practice

(NREPP is the National Registry for Evidence-based Programs and Practices, a national repository that is maintained by the U.S. government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Interventions listed in NREPP, now including IFS, have been subject to independent, rigorous scrutiny and are deemed to show significant impact on individual outcomes relating to mental health)

IFS for Shame and Worthlessness

Word art by Sunni Brown Ink and the Centre for Self Leadership

word cartoon about IFS shame and worthle

This incredible Infodoodle was drawn by Sunni Brown Ink at the 2018 IFS Conference:

New Horizons, during which Dr Richard Schwartz presented on

Shame and Worthlessness: The Drivers of our Parts' Extremes.

Richard Schwartz reflections on the Pixar move "Inside Out" :

"Parts of me were simply amazed. It was as if I was watching my life’s work played out before my eyes in ways that I could never imagine creating". To see the whole article click here.