Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic model developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz. It views the mind as made up of distinct “parts,” each with its own role, emotions, and intentions, much like members of a family. The goal is to help people understand and harmonize these internal parts.
IFS categorizes parts into two main types: Protectors and Exiles.  Exiles hold pain, trauma, shame, or fear; they are often pushed away or hidden.
There are two different kinds of Protectors, 

1. Managers
   • Proactive: They work to prevent emotional pain from surfacing in the first place.
   • They often manage daily life—controlling behavior, emotions, relationships, and environments to avoid triggering the exiles.
   • Examples: perfectionism, people-pleasing, anxiety, harsh self-criticism.
2. Firefighters Act impulsively to distract or numb from emotional pain when exiles break through (e.g., through addiction, anger).
   • Reactive: They step in after the pain has been triggered.
   • Their job is to extinguish emotional distress quickly, even if their methods are extreme or impulsive.
   • Examples: substance use, dissociation, binge eating, rage.

Both types of protectors have positive intentions, even when their strategies seem harmful or dysfunctional. In IFS, therapy involves building trust with protectors so they feel safe enough to let the Self lead and allow healing of the wounded parts they guard.

At the core of each person is the Self, which is calm, compassionate, and capable of healing the parts. In IFS, healing involves accessing the Self, building trust with the parts, and helping them unburden past pain.
It’s a non-pathologizing, empowering model that encourages internal connection and Self-leadership.

For an explanatory video from a colleague, click HERE.