Internal Family Systems Therapy for Shame and Guilt

Neuroscience

Internal Family Systems: The Neuroscience of Parts

Martha Sweezy Ph.D. on October 1, 2026

The experience of hearing from or talking with "parts"—interactive inner characters—in IFS therapy can be startling or disturbing for some people. Neuroscience may help.

The experience of hearing from or talking with "parts"—interactive inner characters—in IFS therapy can be startling or disturbing for some people. Neuroscience may help.

Boundaries

If Your Therapist Gets Sick, Do You Want to Know?

Martha Sweezy Ph.D. on September 15, 2026

We rely on our therapists to be consistent, reliable, and emotionally present. We don't expect them to be sick and preoccupied. What should happen when the therapist becomes ill?

We rely on our therapists to be consistent, reliable, and emotionally present. We don't expect them to be sick and preoccupied. What should happen when the therapist becomes ill?

Therapy

A Neuroscience Perspective on the Concept of Self in IFS

Martha Sweezy Ph.D. on July 20, 2026

Internal Family Systems aims to release compassion (Self-energy) inside and out. Neuroscience describes the balanced brain, which produces Self-energy and fosters a nimble mind.

Internal Family Systems aims to release compassion (Self-energy) inside and out. Neuroscience describes the balanced brain, which produces Self-energy and fosters a nimble mind.

Cognition

Internal Family Systems and the Predictive Brain

Martha Sweezy Ph.D. on April 26, 2026

The brain predicts the past and learns from prediction errors—unless it's overwhelmed. A little uncertainty is good; a lot is overwhelming. Here's how to find the balance.

The brain predicts the past and learns from prediction errors—unless it's overwhelmed. A little uncertainty is good; a lot is overwhelming. Here's how to find the balance.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

An IFS Therapy Program for PTSD: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Martha Sweezy Ph.D. on March 26, 2026

An IFS-based online group and individual therapy program shows promise for treating PTSD.

An IFS-based online group and individual therapy program shows promise for treating PTSD.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

IFS Research: Group Therapy for PTSD and Substance Use

Martha Sweezy Ph.D. on March 9, 2026

Participants in an IFS PTSD-SUD (substance use disorder) intervention experienced reduced PTSD symptoms and cravings, making it a promising public health treatment option.

Participants in an IFS PTSD-SUD (substance use disorder) intervention experienced reduced PTSD symptoms and cravings, making it a promising public health treatment option.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Research: An IFS Treatment That Can Benefit Those With PTSD

Martha Sweezy Ph.D. on March 5, 2026

IFS is believed to be a useful treatment for PTSD. A new study provides the first research-based evidence of its efficacy.

IFS is believed to be a useful treatment for PTSD. A new study provides the first research-based evidence of its efficacy.

Addiction

Addiction: Hope, IFS, and Common Treatment Miscalculations

Martha Sweezy Ph.D. on January 31, 2026

Addiction is survival work, effective in the short run, but cyclical and costly over time. There is a way out.

Addiction is survival work, effective in the short run, but cyclical and costly over time. There is a way out.

OCD

Internal Family Systems (IFS) for OCD

Martha Sweezy Ph.D. on December 27, 2025

IFS for OCD, which is compatible with standard exposure and response prevention (ERP), brings comfort and respect to the internal system of parts.

IFS for OCD, which is compatible with standard exposure and response prevention (ERP), brings comfort and respect to the internal system of parts.

Friends

Intent vs. Impact: Does Intent Really Not Matter?

Martha Sweezy Ph.D. on November 30, 2025

You know you’re responsible for your impact, but do you really know your intent?

You know you’re responsible for your impact, but do you really know your intent?

Freudian Psychology

Internal Family Systems Expands on Freud

Martha Sweezy Ph.D. on November 23, 2025

Freud's defense mechanisms are more relevant than ever. Here's how to see them in a contemporary light.

Freud's defense mechanisms are more relevant than ever. Here's how to see them in a contemporary light.

Shame

Strangling in Intimate Partner Violence, and What Could Help

Martha Sweezy Ph.D. on July 27, 2025

Women often try to shame violent men into better behavior. Men may try to silence shaming women with strangling. These actors are parts who need help. IFS is a good option.

Women often try to shame violent men into better behavior. Men may try to silence shaming women with strangling. These actors are parts who need help. IFS is a good option.

Attention

The Pros and Cons of a Plural Mind in IFS Therapy

Martha Sweezy Ph.D. on June 26, 2025

Mental conflict is not a problem; it’s a sign of immature problem-solving.

Mental conflict is not a problem; it’s a sign of immature problem-solving.

Therapy

How IFS Therapy Can Help With Loss

Martha Sweezy Ph.D. on June 3, 2025

From the perspective of internal family systems (IFS) therapy, our "parts" offer a tool for surviving loss because they do not age; they multiply.

From the perspective of internal family systems (IFS) therapy, our "parts" offer a tool for surviving loss because they do not age; they multiply.

Projection

You Be Me Instead of Me: An IFS Perspective on Projection

Martha Sweezy Ph.D. on March 31, 2025

Projected self-loathing is a short-term fix for a long-term problem that accrues steep costs. There is a better way.

Projected self-loathing is a short-term fix for a long-term problem that accrues steep costs. There is a better way.

Anger

Ever Feel Vengeful? You’re Not Alone

Martha Sweezy Ph.D. on March 27, 2025

Revenge is a great distraction from the pain of an insult that hits home. But then what happens?

Revenge is a great distraction from the pain of an insult that hits home. But then what happens?

Therapy

IFS Therapy Aims to Access an Internal Resource Called "The Self"

Martha Sweezy Ph.D. on January 7, 2025

In IFS therapy the "self," an inner resource, heals. How does this resource show up? When does it become available?

In IFS therapy the "self," an inner resource, heals. How does this resource show up? When does it become available?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Similarities and Differences Between IFS and CBT

Martha Sweezy Ph.D. on December 9, 2024

How CBT and IFS are compatible and where they differ.

How CBT and IFS are compatible and where they differ.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Comparing Internal Family Systems and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Martha Sweezy Ph.D. on December 6, 2024

IFS and CBT share an important tactic but have some important differences.

IFS and CBT share an important tactic but have some important differences.

Defense Mechanisms

Do You Undo?

Martha Sweezy Ph.D. on October 31, 2024

An internal family systems perspective on the protective mental trick of undoing.

An internal family systems perspective on the protective mental trick of undoing.