An IFS therapist practises internal family systems therapy, an approach developed by Richard Schwartz that treats the mind as made up of distinct parts alongside a core self that sits underneath all of them. Protective parts, the inner critic being a common example, are understood as having taken on their role for a reason, usually to protect against something painful, rather than simply being problems to be argued down or removed.
Getting to know parts rather than overriding them
The work involves getting to know these parts with curiosity rather than trying to override or silence them, on the basis that a part that feels attacked tends to dig in harder, while a part that feels understood is more able to step back and let the core self lead. This can feel like a significant shift for anyone used to therapy that focuses on correcting or challenging unhelpful thoughts directly.
Where it is used
IFS is used for trauma, self-criticism, addiction and complex PTSD, conditions where a person often experiences quite different, sometimes conflicting, internal reactions to the same situation. The evidence base for IFS is growing steadily but remains younger than the evidence behind more established approaches such as CBT or EMDR.