The Handbook of Knowledge-Based Coaching: FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE

INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS MODEL: RICHARD C. SCHWARTZ

Influenced by the work of Minuchin and Bowen as well as by observations and learning from his clients through his extensive work as a family systems therapist, Richard Schwartz (1997) developed the internal family systems (IFS) model. In IFS, Schwartz built on systems thinking, adding the concept of the multiplicity of the mind—the idea that each of us contains many different beings. He acknowledged the influence of both Carl Jung and Roberto Assagioli, an Italian psychiatrist who helped people get to know their individual subpersonalities. Other influences included Virginia Satir, who did radical work on increasing clients’ self-esteem through self-awareness, and Sandra Watanabe, a therapist ...