Therapy approaches · The Holistic Counselor Podcast learning guide
From the Mic to the Community
What is IFS (Internal Family Systems)?
Meet parts work with curiosity and understand its limits.
Diana S. Rice · Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional (CIMHP), Qualified Supervisor (QS)
4 pages · No email required · Education, not individual care
Have you ever wanted connection and also wanted to pull away? This approach offers one way to become curious about those different inner responses.
A model for understanding inner experience
Richard Schwartz developed Internal Family Systems. It uses the word parts for different inner responses and roles. Some parts try to prevent hurt; others respond when distress is already high. These terms describe a therapy model, not a diagnosis of multiple personalities.
Compassion can leave room for responsibility
The approach encourages curiosity toward responses that may have served a protective purpose. Understanding a response does not mean that every action is helpful or that harm should be excused.
A gentle starting point
You might notice, “Part of me wants to say yes, and part of me wants rest.” This guide invites noticing, not a search for hidden memories or instructions for trauma processing.
Research & perspective
What to keep in mind
The Internal Family Systems Institute describes an emerging evidence base. Early studies are promising. Larger, well-designed studies and research on possible harms are needed. This approach is not equally established for every condition.
Explore the sources ↓A moment for you
Let’s pause and reflect.
Choose one question, or take your time with all three. Your answers can stay private. Skip anything that feels like too much; you do not need to revisit painful details to use this guide.
- What two wishes seem to pull me in different directions?
- What might I need more time to understand?
- How could I respond with kindness while making a responsible choice?
Use your own notebook or the writing space in the PDF. This page does not ask you to submit reflections.
Optional faith reflection
How might curiosity and compassion fit with my faith without setting aside accountability?
Continue the conversation
Listen with curiosity.
Selected conversations to begin with. Guests share their own perspectives; a linked episode is not a treatment recommendation or a complete review of the evidence.
- Episode 59
- Episode 118
- Episode 78
- Episode 53
Make room for support
Questions to bring to a professional
- Are you licensed to provide therapy in my location?
- What Internal Family Systems training and certification do you have?
- How will we decide whether it fits and respond if I feel overwhelmed?
One next step
The Internal Family Systems directory includes therapists and practitioners. Verify the license if you need mental health treatment; training and certification are separate credentials.
Keep learning
Sources & useful resources
These links support the teaching and help you explore further. Professional organizations describe their own approaches; faith organizations describe their perspectives. Directories are starting points, not endorsements.
- Internal Family Systems Institute: The model outline ↗
- Internal Family Systems Institute: Research and its limits ↗
- Internal Family Systems Institute: Therapist and practitioner directory ↗
Services, fees, rules, and links may change. Confirm current details directly.
When a guide is not enough
Need support right now?
In the U.S. and its territories, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers support for emotional distress or a suicidal crisis.
If there is immediate danger or a medical emergency in the U.S., call 911. Outside the U.S., use your local emergency or crisis service.
This website and its contact form do not provide crisis care.