What Your Therapist Might Not Know About the IFS “Parts” They Are Selling You
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
This PSA is designed to expose the gap between the “helpful metaphor” therapists often sell and the literal, supernatural worldview of Dr. Richard Schwartz, the founder of IFS is actually teaching.
IFS therapy (Internal Family Systems) is marketed as a science-backed tool to manage your “inner critic” or “inner child.” But there is a massive “metaphysical gap” between the marketing and the actual core beliefs of the founder, Richard Schwartz, PhD.
1. The IFS Founder’s “Bonkers” Beliefs
While most people think “Parts” are just a way to talk about conflicting feelings, Schwartz is explicit: they are NOT metaphors.
2. The “Clinical Blindness” Hazard of IFS Therapy
The biggest danger is that most IFS-trained therapists have no idea this is what they are promoting.
They are taught the “techniques” in Level 1 workshops but often aren’t told that the operating system of IFS therapy is built on a literal belief in spirits and autonomous entities.
When a therapist treats a “part” as a literal being, they may inadvertently encourage iatrogenic fragmentation — clinically inducing a state of “splitting” or dissociation in patients who were already struggling to feel whole.
3. Why IFS Therapy is “Bad Metaphysics”
In a healthy mind, feelings are something you have. In IFS, feelings are someone you are.
THE GUT CHECK FOR PATIENTS
You have the right to Metaphysical Transparency. If you are doing IFS therapy, ask your therapist:
- “Do you believe my ‘parts’ are metaphors or literal sub-personalities?”
- “Do you believe in ‘Unattached Burdens’ as literal non-self entities or spirits?”
If they can’t give you a straight answer, they may be practicing a theology you never signed up for. Don’t let your therapy turn into a haunted house. You are one unified person — demand a therapy that treats you like one.
Leah Benson, LMHC is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in Tampa, FL
