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IFS for therapists: books, training, videos and associations

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a psychotherapy model that sees a person as a system of protective and wounded inner parts led by a core Self. Richard Schwartz developed it as a family therapist, bringing systems thinking to the inner world.

The method in short

Developer
Richard C. Schwartz; he founded the Center for Self Leadership in 2000, renamed IFS Institute in 2019
Core idea
A person as a system of protective and wounded inner parts led by a core Self
Training path
Level 1, 2 and 3, then a separate certification process
Evidence
The Institute calls the evidence base emerging and small, with more condition-specific trials needed

Primary sources: IFS Institute: the evolution of the IFS model, by Richard Schwartz, IFS Institute: about us, IFS Institute: research and bibliography

We give you information and answer for how we select it. Check terms, prices and dates with the organiser.

IFS books

Whole shelf, 8 books
Internal Family Systems Therapy
Internal Family Systems TherapyRichard C. Schwartz
Introduction to Internal Family Systems
Introduction to Internal Family SystemsRichard C. Schwartz
Internal Family Systems Therapy: New Dimensions
Internal Family Systems Therapy: New DimensionsMartha Sweezy, Ellen L. Ziskind
Internal Family Systems Skills Training Manual
Internal Family Systems Skills Training ManualFrank G. Anderson, Martha Sweezy, Richard C. Schwartz
Internal Family Systems Couple Therapy Skills Manual
Internal Family Systems Couple Therapy Skills ManualToni Herbine-Blank, Martha Sweezy

IFS training

We do not run courses. Each programme has a link to the organiser and a check date.

IFS Institute, USA, and international partners

IFS Level 1 Training

The Institute’s core professional training: about 90 hours of intensive teaching with supervised practice in small groups, roughly three participants per staff member. It ends with a certificate of completion, which is not IFS certification; outside the US and Canada, partners run the courses.

Format
Online, in person or hybrid, depending on the cohort
Language
English; some partner cohorts run in other languages
For
Mental health professionals; in the US and Canada only qualified, legally credentialed professionals are admitted, abroad the partner sets the rules
Organiser’s siteChecked: November 1, 2026

IFS Institute, USA, and international partners

IFS Level 2 Training

Intensive trainings for Level 1 graduates on one topic at a time, such as trauma and complex systems, shame, anxiety and depression, addictive processes, work with children and adolescents, or a general Deepening and Expanding intensive. The learning objectives list intensives of 5 to 8 days.

Format
Intensives, 5 to 8 days
Language
English
For
Level 1 graduates with an approved General Application; designed for mental health professionals
Organiser’s siteChecked: November 1, 2026

IFS Institute, USA

IFS Certification (Certified Therapist and Certified Practitioner)

A separate process after training, not part of Level 1: at least two years and 200 hours of IFS practice, 30 hours of continuing education and consultation, a recommendation from an Approved Clinical Consultant and a reviewed session recording or live session. Recertification is required every two years.

Format
Application, consultation and session review
Language
English; a recording in another language needs English subtitles unless the reviewer speaks it
For
Certified Therapist: a master’s degree in a mental health or human services field plus a licence or registration. Certified Practitioner: registered or certified in one’s own field
Organiser’s siteChecked: November 1, 2026

IFS Institute, USA

IFS Online Learning: Online Circle, Continuity Program and on-demand courses

The Online Circle is an introductory program for people new to the model and is not a replacement for Level 1. The Continuity Program is for those enrolled in or finished with Level 1, and the on-demand courses are recordings of advanced programs.

Format
Online
Language
English
For
Online Circle: people new to IFS. Continuity Program: Level 1 enrolled or graduates. On-demand courses: see the page
Organiser’s siteChecked: November 1, 2026

How to choose a programme

  • Recognition. A professional association registry or an accredited provider list.
  • Practice. Hours under supervision and live discussion of your own cases.
  • Teachers. Experience in this particular method.
  • Outcome. A certificate, a path to certification or only knowledge.
  • Entry. Whether you need a base qualification and proof of practice.

IFS videos

All videos on methods

An Overview of Internal Family Systems (IFS) by Dr. Richard Schwartz

Channel: Internal Family Systems - IFS Institute · Checked: November 1, 2026

Richard Schwartz gives an overview of the model he developed. The video has a one-line description and no chapters.

Open on YouTube ↗

What is Internal Family Systems? (17 Mins)

Channel: Internal Family Systems - IFS Institute · Checked: November 1, 2026

Schwartz talks about parts and voices, the Self, healing and how the model got its name.

Open on YouTube ↗

IFS Polarization Demo

Channel: Internal Family Systems - IFS Institute · Checked: November 1, 2026

A demonstration in which Schwartz works with a person who is new to the model. The video has a one-line description and no chapters.

Open on YouTube ↗

IFS associations and institutes

Practitioner registries, training standards, conferences. The links go to official sites; the descriptions are ours.

international

IFS Institute

Founded by Richard Schwartz: runs Level 1 to 3 training and a separate certification, a practitioner directory that relies on self-reported credentials, an annual conference and the list of international partners.

Official siteChecked: November 1, 2026

UK and Ireland

IFS UK

Part of the IFS Institute: delivers all three levels of official training in the UK, Ireland and online, and runs introductory workshops and a UK practitioner directory.

Official siteChecked: November 1, 2026

Australia and New Zealand

IFS Australia & New Zealand (Mind-Beyond Institute)

Promotes and trains practitioners in the model in Australia and New Zealand and keeps a practitioner directory. It appears on the IFS Institute list of international partners.

Official siteChecked: November 1, 2026

Nordic countries

IFS Nordics

A federation of IFS practitioners in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, with country associations, a directory and a trainings page. It appears on the IFS Institute list of international partners.

Official siteChecked: November 1, 2026

IFS questions

How do I choose an IFS training?

Start with the official path: Level 1, 2 and 3 run by the IFS Institute or its international partners, then a separate certification. The Institute says it is not a licensing or accrediting body, and a Level 1 certificate is not certification. Check who runs the course, how many hours it has and what the entry rules are.

How is IFS different from neighboring methods?

Schwartz places the idea of inner parts alongside Freud’s id, ego and superego, internal objects in object relations, ego states in transactional analysis and schemata in cognitive-behavioral work. He sees the novelty of IFS in tracking how parts relate to each other, as one tracks family interactions, and in applying the same systemic principles to the inner world, the family and the culture.

Do I need a licence to train in IFS?

It depends on the provider. For Level 1 in the United States and Canada the IFS Institute admits only qualified, legally credentialed mental health professionals; abroad, partners set their own rules. For certification, an IFS Certified Therapist needs a master’s degree in a mental health or human services field plus a licence or registration.

How does IFS certification work?

It is a separate process after Level 1 and Level 2 (or Level 1 plus a Level 1 as program assistant). It asks for at least two years and 200 hours of IFS practice after Level 1, 30 hours of continuing education and consultation, a recommendation from an Approved Clinical Consultant and a reviewed session of about 45 to 60 minutes. Recertification is required every two years.

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