Is Internal Family Systems therapy (IFS) a CULT?!

In this video, we're exploring the question is IFS a cult? Or more accurately, does it get cult-like? You'll learn my 4-dimension framework for identifying whether a group is cult-like. Cults typically involve a group with charismatic leaders, manipulative practices, and the exploitation of members. As you'll see, IFS is a therapeutic model used by licensed professionals to help individuals improve their mental and emotional well-being.

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// WATCH MORE VIDEOS:

🎥 Learn how to do SOLO IFS therapy on YOURSELF today (by a Certified L3 IFS therapist)

🎥 The Biggest Myths About IFS Therapy You MUST Know (Part 1/2)

🎥 More IFS Therapy Myths debunked (Part 2/2)

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// LET'S CONNECT:

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// ABOUT ME:

Hi, I'm Lucille Aaron-Wayne. I help visionaries, luminaries and soul-seekers move from stuck to self-healing.

Are you thrilled by the potential of IFS? Love Jungian analysis? Curious about art therapy? You're in the right spot! I'm a:

- Level 3 Certified IFS Therapist
- professional mental health provider in the Netherlands with a private practice
- Jungian-Analyst-in-training
- passionate holder of a master's degree in creative arts therapies (aka art therapist)

And I like to dance ;) I'm passionate about empowering you to pilot your self-healing journey.

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#ifs #ifstherapy #selfhealing #partswork #internalfamilysystems
© 2023 LUCILLE AARON-WAYNE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

[mewmixify]

I’ve been using some of the IFS framework with a counselor. It’s been very useful and fits in with a lot of my other counseling very well. (I’ve been in counseling most of my life due to childhood trauma.) 1. The “leader” was only brought up so I could look him up and listen to him on YouTube for an explanation of IFS. Literally the last time we’ve talked about him. 2. I’ve never been asked to attend any meetings or meet higher-ups. 3. I’ve never been asked for money or time beyond what any counselor would offer. 4. People who don’t use IFS are not looked down on. I don’t have to get my husband involved. I don’t need to cut ties with anyone and spend all of my time with other IFS-ers. All of the big red flags I’ve observed with other cults are quite blatantly missing. I don’t know why you would even make this video, honestly. I hope there’s not something huge I’m missing, but so far it’s simply a framework to try and understand the human psyche. It’s a tool that can be really useful.

[DaveG-qdug]

I don't think IFS is cult. I guess I should have the tattoo of Dick Schwartz' face removed from my back. 🤣

[username]

can I just say how much I appreciate this fresh take ? I used to be a strict ERP therapist and I suddenly realized... I just don't agree with many of the principles or "radicalization" of it. I didn't want it to be the "only" approach I used anymore and it truly was scary to me! But I feel so free now!

[matthewspears]

Glad I found this video, and glad you're doing to best to look at the group clearly. It was first reading the book "Dissociation made simple" that I found criticism of IFS. Most times it's glowing praise without any independent thought.

I think any modality that grows into a hierarchical system has cult aspects. The further down the hierarchy you are, the less questioning of its bare fundamentals you feel empowered to do, which is a major part of a cult. It's only recently I've realized I have a dissociation disorder (not full on DID) and so the idea of parts resonated, but using any IFS technique didn't get me far because there seemed to be too much conformity in it. I grew up in a cult/brainwashing setting and anytime I feel a whiff of cult energy/conformity the dissociation comes up strong.

I've come to feel that the whole profession of therapy has serious cult vibes in it and what would be most helpful is to bring community and play into it all. Flexibility, play and laughter are the antithesis to cult energy. IFS based improv that's more about fun than 'healing' with no person playing healer. That might be more my thing.

[itviking]

I get 'cult' vibes all the time from people holding IFS up as the one and only solution to all their troubles. It's become a religion to some people, and it's super creepy when you see that. On the other hand, it's other people who are holding IFS up in this way. The IFS model itself is just a useful tool, if used properly. I will say the IFS Institute is a business, and they do of course market IFS. Dr. Schwartz might have great intentions for IFS, but he & the IFS Institute are also not a charity working purely for the betterment of people. It's a business with a product being sold in the form of books & training.

[karlsapp]

Any cult is created from both directions. As we humans we tend to cult like reactions to most teachers and leaders. I admire leaders who recognize this and actively work against it in those they teach.

[FriskyTendervittles]

The best way to discern a cult from a non cult
- cults don’t encourage critical thinking skills, healing, self awareness, growth, and living peacefully

[Squidgerydoodle]

I follow your content generally so I know this was just an attempt to assess IFS objectively from this perspective. Which is helpful if people have any concerns or like me have a tendency to fall down holes like these by accident.

But I do think based on the other comments here that people are arriving feeling like you've already decided it's a cult and so they need to defend it without watching it. It might be the title/thumbnail- which tbh, rubbed me the wrong way too, even though I agree with what you've said here. Although I understand it's probably to attract clicks, I think the dramatic punctuation and thumbnail actually gives a tone that's inconsistent with the content. It suggests a sassy takedown, not so much a measured assessment.

[Julia-szgk]

Thank you for this video. I have asked myself this same question about IFS being cultish. I love your final point of "respect, not reverence". I don't have reverence due to IFS is not really an original idea. Freud talked about people have 3 parts to themselves and Buddhism has the idea that one human is many persons throughout their life, so it's not like Dr. Schwartz invented the idea of a person having parts. He did however create a newish framework on how to describe the human experience and a new vocabulary that has some utility in the psychotherapeutic context. I'm grateful IFS exists and have respect for the work that Dr. Schwartz and others have done to make it accessible, but there many valid psychotherapy models that also help patients heal. It's always good to have a variety of tools in the clinical toolbox.

[laurielorenz-glantz]

Richard Schwartz presents as a humble man, a life-long and curious learner. After all his contributions to humankind, I find your video baffling.

[ThereseFitzpatrick-yj]

Where can I find your missing link discussion? I also appreciate your Opinion of IFS, I think you described it in a fair way. Thanks

[ParhamDoustdar]

Thanks for helping me hear that uncomfortable voice in my head that protests when I see something like this. The way you evaluate cults sounds very sane and grounded, and I totally agree with your "respect not reverence" suggestion. It's great to read that someone else feels this. I'm not in the IFS community, but I'm in online communities where the leader, no matter how they discourage this, gets to be seen as "the guy/gal".

[李俊池]

Thank you for bringing this up. Personally, I would also love to see critical thinkings from people interested in the philosophy of science, paradox, mind, ethics, and political philosophy.

I would imagine a critical part being critical about the existence of IFS, hence(?), of itself, which is a form of Liar's paradox. In general, I do not know if paradox would be used to evaluate models/theories. Shall we try to keep paradox away, adopting a new framework, or accepting a gray area between true and false? Or is it simply irrevelent?

[I think Dick assumed not only that trauma makes solo-IFS harder, but also the converse that if solo-IFS feels hard, then there are probably some trauma.] He is concerned about the exling of parts in some other theraputic methods, and I think his concern will be disqualified if someone finds an alternative that would also not create new exiles. Ironically, being like a cult with IFS in some situations, though probably not making IFS intrinsically bad, can make doing IFS an exiling of the critical parts.

Though not quite well-defined, Dick may use the idea of Self to win a round back for encouraging people to prioritize IFS therapy. I guess among all counterarguments, a strong one lies in pointing out how one can be in the Self and exiling the critical parts at the same time. Dick may fight back with saying that it takes time, or it is important to get allowance from the protective parts. Indeed, we would help Dick to hold his theory by inviting a new part--the self-like parts often taking the burden of protecting the clients from entering the pain with a therapist or simply from peer pressure. In this case, if the self-like part has the right to bring IFS/Self-energy to the broader audience, why could not other parts have the same right to do so, including that critical ones? Of course, our help may complicate his model.

I have concerns about the future of both IFS itself and the social and the practical sides of it as if I am worring about a minor language which would have only kept the characters and left its literature mysterious. However, different from a minor language, the more people are talking about it enthusiastically, the shorter life it seems to get.

[BulDurham]

It's definitely unfalsifiable and unscientific, and it definitely has internal mechanisms that self-reinforce. For example, if someone is skeptical of IFS, that's just a part of you that is trying to protect another part of you. So, unfalsifiable again. Or if you had a bad experience, well you must have done it wrong or had a bad therapist. I think it's dangerous.

[cheyrncheyrn]

The end is important as the video says at the beginning. Practicing IFS doesn't require you tov treat it like a cult.

[RiverJayTenten]

This is very helpful! I wish I could learn more about IFS with you as a trainer someday. ☺ -Jaycel

[BF-non]

Agree, People pretending this Buddhahood are the WORST.

[ericwalters]

I thought the IFS therapy, is a type of psychological healing method of approach. I havent listened to what the leader says, and i see can deffinately see problems if it is taken as far as you say.

[xenia]

Our society is a cult, with believes and ways of thinking that are past on from generation to generation. With charismatic leaders that will tell you what ever you need to hear for you to give them a "vote". That's how far your influence is reaching. With teaching people inaccurate or limited history. No individual thinking can truly occur, because the media will influence your thinking, and what you should be thinking about. 1. You feel that you are part of a group (your nationality) 2. People are investing a shit load of time and money for the system to keep going. (taxes, work). The system will then choose where that tax money is going, into agenda's that we are not aware of. O, and when there is a war. We not only need to invest our time, we also ought to fight for our country and give our lives. Or else we will be killed or locked up. It's apparently important for our leaders to be charismatic then intelligent. The biggest mouth get's the most votes. Capatalism and media will make you believe that you are not worthy, and that there is always a new thing that can be bought, so you can be better and more. (what ever that means in your believes) the next car, the next watch, the next wrinkle creme. That little vote we have, gives us sense of control. Earning our own money gives us a sense of choice. A desire to be accepted by others and be part of a group is strong. There is always a next level to be obtained, to be more rich, succesful, beautiful, intelligent.The same idea you see in cults. mmmm....Seems to be the biggest cult is our entire society. The most dangerous cult as well. Especially when you don't realise you are part of one. The most disastrous example we have of how all these elements played out was in World war 2. People are inherently good untill they are not. It's a thin lign that can be easily crossed. What exiled parts of humanity came to the surface? I believe that IFS has the potential for humanity to become more aware of the hurt and fearful parts at play in our consciousness. So that we can stay sane, whilst living in a cult that is our society.