Internal Family Systems (IFS) approaches healing by relating to an inner system of “parts” that develop different roles in an effort to protect us and help us navigate difficult experiences.

In this short video, Dr. Richard Schwartz — the creator of IFS — explains how moments of “resistance” or “stuckness” in therapy can often be the work of a protective part trying to keep the client from entering a process they’re not yet ready for.

He then demonstrates this through a brief role-play, showing how a therapist might begin engaging directly with a protective part when therapy feels stuck.

Get Access to the Full On-Demand Workshop with Dr. Richard Schwartz (1.5 CEs available)

Learn more in the full 90-minute workshop with Dr. Schwartz — including two demonstrations and 30 minutes of Q&A with participants — in When Therapy Feels Stuck: IFS Tools to Build Safety and Work with Resistant Parts. Get On-Demand Access for $47 >>

Watch the Full Workshop On-Demand (1.5 CEs available)

In this 90‑minute recorded workshop, When Therapy Feels Stuck: IFS Tools to Build Safety and Work with Resistant Parts, Dr.  Richard Schwartz guides clinicians in navigating moments of stuckness in therapy through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS). Therapy often stalls when clients are caught in protective patterns—like over‑intellectualizing, avoiding emotions, criticizing themselves harshly, or leaning into perfectionism and control. These patterns can quietly or overtly block access to more vulnerable parts of the client’s experience.

In this workshop you will:

• Recognize protective patterns—in both clients and ourselves—that can keep therapy from moving forward
• Help clients gently step back from protective reactions, creating space for clarity and compassion
• Approach resistance with curiosity rather than seeing it as something to overcome
• Build trust with protective parts, opening the door for movement, safety, and healing
• Watch clinicians ask Dr. Schwartz questions about their cases

Get Access for $47 >>