[Video] Dr. Richard Schwartz with an 8 minute Introduction to IFS
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a powerful model for understanding the mind and supporting healing. Developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz, IFS helps us see that we all have an inner system of “parts” that respond to life’s challenges in different ways.
For those looking to deepen their understanding of IFS I’m happy to share this short video featuring Dr. Richard Schwartz.
In this 8-minute clip, Dr. Schwartz offers a grounded and accessible walkthrough of the core framework of IFS—explaining how overwhelming or traumatic experiences can force parts of us into extreme roles, and how healing becomes possible when we meet those parts with compassion, curiosity, and connection.
As he says in the video: “When a client has trauma, the most sensitive parts of them often get locked away—and what takes over are protectors doing whatever it takes to survive.”
This perspective offers a powerful way to understand what keeps clients stuck—and how to support movement toward healing.
Join Our Upcoming Live Workshop + Q&A With Dr. Richard Schwartz!
We’re thrilled to be hosting a 90-minute interactive workshop on Wednesday, August 20th, 2025 with Dr. Richard Schwartz—When Therapy Feels Stuck: IFS Tools to Build Safety and Work with Protective Parts. Learn more and register here >>
Join Our Upcoming Live Workshop + Q&A With Dr. Richard Schwartz!
We’re thrilled to be hosting a 90-minute interactive workshop this month with
Dr. Richard Schwartz—When Therapy Feels Stuck: IFS Tools to Build Safety and Work with Protective Parts
In this 90‑minute workshop, Dr. Richard Schwartz will guide us 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.
Together, we will explore how to:
• 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
Whether you’re newer to IFS or looking to deepen your skills, this session will offer practical tools and insights to support flow in sessions and help clients safely move beyond stuckness.
The workshop will take place on Zoom on Wednesday August 20th at 2:00pm ET.
A week later, mental health professionals will have the opportunity to deepen in a live, one-hour integration & practice lab led by Naropa University professor Clarissa Cigrand.
Learn more and register for the Live Workshop + Q&A >>
About Richard C. Schwartz, PhD
Richard C. Schwartz, PhD, is the creator of Internal Family Systems, a highly effective, evidence-based therapeutic model that de-pathologizes the multi-part personality. His IFS Institute offers training for professionals and the general public. He is currently on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, and has published five books, including No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model. Dick lives with his wife Jeanne near Chicago, close to his three daughters and his growing number of grandchildren.
It is always a pleasure to listen to Dr Richard Schwartz speak about IFS. You can hear the Self energy speaking through his parts. At this moment, I do therapy at home. IFS and Self-compassion has worked wonders wonders for me! I would recommend his book Introduction to Internal Family Systems. A part in my system unburdened while reading that book. It was incredible. That was 3 years ago.
Thank you Richard for all of your contributions to the mental health field!!
It is always a pleasure to listen to Dr Richard Schwartz speak about IFS. You can hear the Self energy speaking through his parts. At this moment, I do therapy at home. IFS and Self-compassion have worked wonders wonders for me! I would recommend his book, Introduction to Internal Family Systems. A part in my system unburdened while reading that book. It was incredible. That was 3 years ago.
Thank you Richard for all of your contributions to the mental health field!!
He looks well today. Must be walking the talk!