The Many Within: Understanding IFS and Self Integration

Dr. Keith WittEmotional, How can I feel happy and fulfilled in my life?, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, Psychology, Video, Witt & Wisdom: Live with Dr. Keith

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Perspective Shift:

  1. We are a multiplicity, not a monolith. Embracing the diverse parts within us is key to wholeness.
  2. Every part has purpose and wisdom. Compassion for all aspects of self is the path to healing.
  3. Healing is an inside job. The individual collaborates with their parts for transformation.
  4. The Wise Self is within. Beneath the noise of our parts lies an inner leader, waiting to guide us home.

How can we befriend and reintegrate the exiles within us?

How can we learn to be less self-critical — and less prone to self-indulgent distractions — when dealing with the conflicting parts of our own psyche?

How can we create a safe and open space for inner dialogue and collaboration between these different parts of ourselves, leading to greater self-understanding, emotional resilience, and wholeness?

In this episode, Corey deVos and Dr. Keith Witt discuss Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, an approach developed by Richard Schwartz in the 1980s that recognizes the multiplicity of the human psyche. IFS works with the different parts of the personality to promote psychological health, wholeness, and ongoing development.

Dr. Witt provides an overview of IFS, explaining that it sees people as having four types of interior figures: the Wise Self, exiles (parts we want to get rid of), critics (managers that criticize the exiles), and firefighters (managers that distract from the pain of exiles). The goal of IFS is to strengthen the wise self and create an integrating process where the various parts of ourselves can come into alignment.

The discussion delves into the history of IFS, with Dr. Witt sharing the story of Richard Schwartz’s development of the approach amidst the landscape of psychotherapy in the 1960s and 70s. He also shares his own journey of initially dismissing IFS but later coming to appreciate its unique and powerful aspects after seeing Schwartz’s work.

Dr. Witt outlines a typical IFS therapeutic sequence, which involves identifying an issue or distress, connecting with the exile that is not being adequately attended to, and then working with the critic and firefighter to organize these parts in a way that strengthens the wise self. He highlights three key features of IFS: the subtext of identifying and strengthening the wise self, never allowing an adversarial relationship with any part, and engaging in both horizontal and vertical growth.

The conversation touches on how an integral understanding enriches the IFS approach and how IFS can be integrated with other therapeutic approaches and wisdom traditions. Corey and Dr. Witt also share some of their own experiences working with their inner critics, exiles, and wise selves.

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Dr. Keith Witt

About Keith Witt

Dr. Keith Witt is a Licensed Psychologist, teacher, and author who has lived and worked in Santa Barbara, CA. for over forty years. Dr. Witt is also the founder of The School of Love.

Corey deVos

About Corey deVos

Corey W. deVos is editor and producer of Integral Life. He has worked for Integral Institute/Integal Life since Spring of 2003, and has been a student of integral theory and practice since 1996. Corey is also a professional woodworker, and many of his artworks can be found in his VisionLogix art gallery.