Revolutionizing Psychotherapy: The Impact of IFS Therapy
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![Inside the Revolutionary Treatment That Could Change Psychotherapy Forever](/images/revolutionary-ifs-therapy-impact-psychotherapy_1.jpg)
In May 2014, just before graduating from a Massachusetts college, Ross Calvert (name changed for anonymity), a reserved and artistic individual reminiscent of a character from a Wes Anderson film, experienced a traumatic acid trip that left him in a state of persistent psychosis. His perception of his surroundings became warped; he felt as if he was the subject of whispered conversations among strangers, and the familiar face of his best friend transformed into something sinister. Although he managed to appear composed during his graduation, the ensuing months were marked by a cacophony of voices in his head. Eventually, in a moment of crisis, Ross barricaded himself in a bathroom, prompting his friends to call the police, who forcibly admitted him to a psychiatric hospital, where he was stripped of his possessions and administered antipsychotic medication.
The prevailing belief within modern Western medicine frames psychosis as primarily a biological disorder, emphasizing swift diagnosis and pharmaceutical intervention. Involuntary hospitalization remains prevalent despite evidence suggesting that early family involvement and psychotherapy could often avert such measures. Alarmingly, a study indicated that 31% of those involuntarily hospitalized developed post-traumatic stress disorder.
David Medeiros, the therapist who eventually treated Ross, noted that their initial meetings felt obstructed, as if a barrier separated them. Ross's speech was noticeably delayed, and each hospitalization seemed to further entrench this barrier.
By March 2016, after another hospitalization, Ross was once again diagnosed with schizophrenia, a devastating label that would profoundly impact him and those around him. In the U.S., 85-90% of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia struggle with unemployment, making it one of the most challenging conditions to manage within the context of American society. A 1992 World Health Organization study revealed that individuals in developing nations exhibited higher rates of recovery compared to those in wealthier nations like the U.S.
The issues at hand extend beyond schizophrenia. Many patients in the U.S. mental health system experience a worsening cycle of diagnoses and medications. As Robert Whitaker highlighted in his influential book, Anatomy of an Epidemic, the number of individuals receiving government disability due to mental illness has risen since the introduction of drugs like Xanax and Prozac, which were originally promoted as solutions. While these medications have provided relief to many, the long-term effects are becoming increasingly evident, including dependency and significant side effects. Particularly for those with schizophrenia, research indicates that long-term use of antipsychotics may be detrimental. Ross found himself on the brink of dependency, relying on daily medication, frequent hospital visits, and disability benefits to survive.
Medeiros was determined to help Ross avoid this fate. Having known Ross since he was 11, he believed that the vibrant, creative boy he once knew was still present within the troubled young man. Despite his efforts, Ross continued to spiral downward, leading to repeated hospitalizations.
Following the 2016 presidential election, feeling a sense of dread about the nation's future, Ross succumbed to psychosis yet again, leading to another hospitalization. Desperate for a new approach, Medeiros turned to internal family systems therapy (IFS), a novel method that was gaining traction in psychotherapy circles.
IFS presents a radically different perspective, viewing mental health issues not merely as biochemical disorders but as emotional experiences governed by subconscious “parts” of the individual, which can be engaged directly. Medeiros, though new to IFS, reached out to Richard C. Schwartz, PhD, the therapy’s creator, hoping for guidance.
At a trauma conference, Medeiros approached Schwartz and discussed Ross's case. Schwartz responded with an invitation to bring Ross to Boston for further assistance.
![Richard C. Schwartz, creator of IFS therapy](/images/revolutionary-ifs-therapy-impact-psychotherapy_2.jpg)
Schwartz, an unassuming figure with a gentle demeanor, has been a transformative force in the psychotherapy field. He has garnered praise from leading experts such as Bessel van der Kolk and Gabor Maté, who recognize the profound impact of IFS. Schwartz has engaged in discussions with the Dalai Lama and is regarded with reverence by many in the field.
Beginning his career as a family systems therapist in the 1980s, Schwartz initially focused on treating eating disorders. He discovered that his clients often articulated their struggles in terms of conflicting “parts” within themselves. For instance, one part might desire to be thin while another might be indifferent to societal opinions. This realization prompted him to explore the internal dialogues of his patients more deeply.
Initially, Schwartz attempted to view these parts as internalized parental figures, but a pivotal experience with a young woman named Roxanne shifted his perspective. After a challenging session, where he attempted to control her self-harming behaviors, Roxanne returned with visible scars, prompting Schwartz to reconsider his approach. This moment led him to understand that rather than being adversaries, these parts often act protectively, trying to shield individuals from emotional pain.
Schwartz's exploration revealed that many of these parts were stuck in traumatic pasts, using outdated coping strategies. He began to engage with these parts with curiosity, allowing them to express their needs and concerns. This approach led to the development of a framework where he identified “protectors” that manage emotional pain and “exiles” that hold traumatic memories. Accessing the exiles often required navigating through the protectors, who could be resistant to change.
One significant breakthrough occurred when Schwartz found that if patients could distance themselves from their protective parts, they could engage more openly with their exiles. This led to profound emotional releases and healing, a process Schwartz termed “unburdening.”
![IFS therapy session](/images/revolutionary-ifs-therapy-impact-psychotherapy_3.jpg)
As Schwartz began to share his findings with the broader therapeutic community, he faced skepticism, particularly from those who adhered to traditional models of therapy. However, he remained committed to IFS, believing it offered a crucial alternative to existing paradigms.
By 2017, Ross was brought to Schwartz for treatment. Initially quiet and withdrawn, he began to engage with his feelings through Schwartz’s guidance. As they progressed, Ross started to identify and communicate with the paranoid part of himself that had caused his hospitalizations.
Through the IFS process, Ross began to recognize the protective intentions behind his symptoms and engage with them compassionately. After several sessions, he reported feeling significantly lighter and more hopeful, a stark contrast to the despair he had previously experienced.
The idea of internal multiplicity has roots in philosophical traditions dating back to Plato, who suggested that the soul consists of various parts that must harmonize. This concept has been echoed in modern psychology through the work of various theorists, including Roberto Assagioli, who introduced the term "subpersonalities."
What distinguishes IFS is its compassionate approach to all parts of the self, promoting healing through understanding rather than judgment. Schwartz attributes the growing acceptance of IFS to his fresh perspective, unencumbered by prior assumptions.
In recent years, the popularity of mindfulness and the portrayal of internal multiplicity in media have contributed to the rise of IFS therapy. The IFS Institute has seen a substantial increase in trained therapists, with many seeking alternatives to the conventional mental health system.
Critics of IFS raise concerns regarding its empirical support and potential misapplications, particularly in light of past controversies linked to its implementation in certain clinics. However, recent studies have begun to validate IFS as an evidence-based treatment.
As IFS continues to gain traction, patients and therapists alike are recognizing its transformative potential. Individuals like Ross have found renewed agency and a deeper understanding of their internal worlds through IFS, challenging the notion of mental illness as purely pathological.
Schwartz envisions a future where IFS principles extend beyond therapy, fostering compassionate connections in broader societal contexts. In an increasingly polarized world, the message of understanding and healing through the lens of IFS resonates powerfully, prompting a re-evaluation of how we perceive ourselves and others.
Through the IFS framework, the journey toward healing becomes a shared exploration of the self, inviting compassion and understanding into the therapeutic process and beyond.