Richard Schwartz
Also known as Richard C. Schwartz
American family therapist who created Internal Family Systems (IFS).
At a glance
Roles
Internal Family Systems (Developed IFS in the 1980s)
Main ideas
All parts are welcome, Parts as a family, Criticism
See all 3Books to start with
No Bad Parts, Introduction to the Internal Family Systems Model (2nd ed.), The Mosaic Mind …
See all 4Connections
Internal Family Systems Skills Training Manual: Trauma-Informed Treatment for Anxiety, Depression, PTSD & Substance Abuse, Introduction to the Internal Family Systems Model and 3 others
See all 5
Also on this page: Key facts · Links · Sources · Related pages
- He is a systemic family therapist who created Internal Family Systems.
- He developed it in the 1980s after clients described themselves as made of many parts.
- He founded the Center for Self Leadership in 2000, renamed the IFS Institute in 2019.
- He has written more than ten books, including No Bad Parts.
Why it matters
- His idea that every inner part means well, and that a calm Self can lead them, now shapes much trauma therapy and popular psychology.
Key facts
- Born
- 14 Sep 19491
- Known for
- Creating Internal Family Systems1
- Education
- PhD in marriage and family therapy, Purdue University1
- Founded
- Center for Self Leadership (2000), renamed IFS Institute (2019)1
- Position
- Teaching associate in psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard Medical School teaching affiliate2
- Writing
- Over 50 articles and more than ten books on IFS2
Roles
Main ideas
-
All parts are welcome1
"Our inner parts contain valuable qualities and our core Self knows how to heal."
-
Parts as a family3
Trained in family therapy, he saw inner parts relate the way family members do.
-
Criticism1
A 2025 article in The Cut raised questions about his consulting at a treatment centre later sued over recovered memories.
Books to start with
-
Healing trauma and restoring wholeness with the IFS model; for a general audience.
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Introduction to the Internal Family Systems Model (2nd ed.)1
The core model explained.
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With Regina Goulding, on IFS with survivors of child abuse.
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You Are the One You've Been Waiting For1
IFS applied to intimate relationships.
Connections
Writes
- Internal Family Systems Skills Training Manual: Trauma-Informed Treatment for Anxiety, Depression, PTSD & Substance AbuseBook
- Introduction to the Internal Family Systems ModelBook
- No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems ModelBook
- The Mosaic Mind: Empowering the Tormented Selves of Child Abuse SurvivorsBook
- You Are the One You've Been Waiting ForBook
Links
Sources
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