Heal Your Inner Critic | Richard Schwartz

It's the nature of the mind to have different "parts," and all of those "parts" are valuable.

How do we become more integrated and healed humans? Answering these questions is the life’s work of today’s guest Dr. Richard Schwartz, a psychotherapist who created a very interesting and effective therapeutic modality called Internal Family Systems (or IFS). IFS is premised on the idea that every person has different “parts” within them, each with its own unique characteristics and functions, separate from one’s true or core Self. Furthermore, emotional healing and greater well-being can be experienced by bringing these various parts into harmony with each other—integrating them, if you will—in a process many have found transformative. 

Dr. Schwartz has been practicing and teaching IFS for decades and has authored several books on the subject, including, You Are The One You’ve Been Waiting For and No Bad Parts. This episode covers many fascinating topics, including the fundamentals of IFS and how it works, Dr. Schwartz’s ‘many parts’ multiplicity of mind model, how to deal with our inner critic, how IFS operates to address addiction, trauma, and depression, and more.

This episode culminates in Dr. Schwartz illustrating his process by taking me (albeit a bit reluctantly) through a fairly intense psychological exercise I hope you find informative. Dr. Schwartz’s work is deeply fascinating, and this conversation has stuck with me. My hope is that this exchange inspires you to do the internal work required to live a more integrated and purpose-driven life.

✌🏼🌱 - Rich

[jessicavergara]

I think it’s difficult to really understand how this works unless you engage with it. You listen to essence of that voice, you love and befriend it, you ask it what it wants or needs (this part can be very surprising/interesting sometimes), you thank it for carrying the burden that it’s carried for you, you thank it for trying to help or protect you, you let them know that you are an adult and can manage these things now, they can be freed of their tiring job/role. You ask, what would you rather be doing? They let you know and there may be grief and relief. It’s quite incredible.

[ssgundes]

IFS explains so much about human behavior. Its great inner child healing, really amazing how it makes the process of learning about yourself so much better

[taylorchase]

This was such a great episode!! I saved to re-watch it. If every single person was taught this and practiced a lifestyle around self-compassion, the world be such a better place. I hope so many people see his work. It's life-changing!! ❤❤

[venniece]

I’ve used Internal Family Systems for two years now. It’s made an enormous difference in my life!! ❤️

[whygohome]

My inner voice is kind and gentle. I replaced my abuser's voice LONG AGO. I am in charge of my thoughts!

[LiveIFS]

So true! Just focus and listen to the voices in you. Fighting them is a losing battle.

[dredre]

The full video this came from is really really good with some useful gems in it, even if you've already done or been doing a lot of your inner work.

[magiciansway]

There's true gold in these words.

[xAudiolith]

Now, this is something for me to chew on but I gotta say that man gets it ❤

[marypaquette]

Using this within the Bright Line Eating Program. 😊

[julin]

No my inner critic is to be ignored it serves no purpose. But it’s there and I have to learn to manage it and even dispel it.