ABSTRACT

This chapter focuses the key concepts and terminology of Internal Family Systems (IFS) theory. It starts by fleshing out the central and signature aspect of IFS: parts. A part is an internal entity or subpersonality. The chapter discusses the crux of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy: that each of us has many different parts inside—an internal family, so to speak. Many parts are balanced and healthy; they play important roles in our systems. Some parts take on the job of protecting us from feeling pain. Schwartz delineates two kinds of protective parts: managers and firefighters. Managers are the "workhorses of our day-to-day live". Firefighters are so named to reflect the activity of real firefighters, who hear the call for help and react immediately to protect and rescue. IFS therapy helps children develop loving relationships with these protectors, to uncover and discover the positive intention, and ultimately to settle and soothe these parts.