The Authors' Journeys and the Magic of IFS

Chapter 1 traces the authors’ personal journeys from first learning about Internal Family Systems (IFS) to the decision to write the second edition of the book. It outlines their professional backgrounds and experiences as child therapists. The chapter also traces Richard Schwartz’s development of his model and its recent recognition as an evidence-based program by the US government. One author uses a personal example of working with one of her parts. There is an exercise for the reader – a chance to get to know a part of her own. Finally, there is a short vignette about a young person and her reaction to IFS therapy that inspired the writing of the book.