Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic approach that views the mind as composed of multiple sub-personalities or "parts" which can be identified, understood, and harmonized, leading to greater emotional balance and self-awareness. Developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz in the 1980s, IFS is based on the premise that the mind is naturally organized into different parts, each with its own unique characteristics and functions.

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According to IFS, these parts can be categorized into three main groups: managers, firefighters, and exiles. Managers are responsible for maintaining control and keeping the individual safe, while firefighters are activated in response to threats or stressors and are responsible for managing intense emotions. Exiles are parts of the self that carry emotional pain and trauma and are often hidden or suppressed.

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The goal of IFS therapy is to help clients identify and understand these different parts of themselves and to develop a healthy and harmonious relationship with them. This is achieved through a process called "self-leadership," where clients learn to access their true self, a core aspect of their being that is characterized by qualities such as curiosity, compassion, and calmness.