01
What it is
The IFS Institute describes IFS as "a therapeutic model that views every human being as a system of protective and wounded inner parts." It was developed by Richard Schwartz (IFS Institute). We found no explainer from a major medical centre or government health agency, so this definition comes from the model's own organisation.
02
Common forms
The main distinction is who is using it. IFS therapy is delivered by licensed clinicians. IFS-informed work is done by people trained in IFS who work in other professions. The IFS Institute gives the two different certified titles, below. We found no sourced list of other sub-types.
03
Who it may not suit
In a 2024 article for the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy (APA Division 29), three clinicians wrote:
- "there is a strikingly small evidence-base in the literature for IFS"
- social media content "may be encouraging audiences to apply IFS without the supervision of a trained therapist"
- they are concerned about "encouraging splitting of the self into parts for those who struggle with reality testing"
(Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy). This is an opinion article, not a clinical guideline.
04
Credentials, and whether Arizona licenses it
We found no Arizona license specific to IFS.
- Training levels. The IFS Institute runs Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 trainings. Level 1 is open to licensed mental health professionals and some other groups, including people with a master's or PhD in a mental health field (IFS Institute).
- IFS Certified Therapist. Must be "licensed, registered, and/or certified for clinical practice".
- IFS Certified Practitioner. Must be "registered or certified in their own professional field of practice".
- Both require Level 1 and Level 2, 15 hours of consultation and a reviewed session. "IFS Certification does not expand professional scope of practice" (IFS Institute).
- The IFS Institute states that it "is not a licensing board or disciplinary body" and that it hasn't "independently verified any of the information provided by those listed" in its directory (IFS directory).
05
What a listing here shows for this kind of work
A Level 1 training and a certification are different things, and so are the two certified titles. An IFS listing here shows:
- which training level or title the practitioner holds, confirmed with the IFS Institute, with the date
- whether they hold an Arizona license, checked with the state board
Common questions
What's the difference between IFS Level 1 and IFS certified?
Certification needs Level 1 and Level 2, consultation hours and a reviewed session.
Does an IFS practitioner have to be a therapist?
No. An IFS Certified Practitioner is certified in their own profession, which may not be therapy.
Is IFS evidence-based?
Three clinicians writing in 2024 for the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy described a strikingly small evidence base. That's an opinion article, not a guideline.