IFS stands for Internal Family Systems, which is a model of psychotherapy developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz and his colleagues in the 1980s. Interest and learning about IFS has grown exponentially in recent years and many people with varied levels of education and experience with the model now describe themselves as using IFS.
There is a broad range of IFS-Informed to IFS-Certified:
The Internal Family Systems Institute provides training through intensive programs called Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. Graduates of the Level 1 training can apply to become a Certified IFS Therapist or Practitioner by completing extensive further required learning, consultation and video review of their work by an approved IFS-I certifier. IFIO (Intimacy from the Inside Out) is a form of couples therapy rooted in IFS. Toni Herbine-Blank provides a Level 2 training in this protocol.
Professionals who participate in other educational offerings may be considered IFS-Informed. Some practitioners may call themselves this after exposure to the model (eg. attending a short course or reading a book). For the purposes of this directory the standard of inclusion as IFS-informed is 82 hours of learning that must include experiential components and have a significant portion taught by IFS-certified teachers.
As with any psychotherapy or coaching modality the level of training does not indicate or guarantee efficacy and it is ultimately the “fit” between client and therapist/practitioner that matters the most.