Multiplicity of the Mind

This is the foundation of IFS, which posits that our mind is composed of multiple, distinct parts, or sub-personalities, each with its own perspective, interests, memories, and viewpoints

All Parts are Good

IFS holds that every part has a positive intention and a valuable role, even if its methods can be problematic.
Parts may be forced into extreme roles due to life experiences, but at their core, they're trying to help.

The Self

The Self is the core or essence of an individual. Unlike the parts, it isn't shaped by experience.
It's characterized by qualities like calmness, curiosity, compassion, courage, confidence, creativity, clarity, and connectedness—the 8 Cs.
IFS believes that everyone has a Self, and it can't be damaged or lost.

Self-Leadership:

In IFS, the goal is to help the individual's Self to take on a leadership role. This means that the Self is the one making decisions and leading the individual's internal system, rather than the parts.

Healing through Relationship

Healing happens through the relationship between the Self and the parts. When parts trust the Self, they can let go of their extreme roles and transform. This is achieved through the steps of getting to know the part, unblending from it, developing a trusting relationship with it, and unburdening it. 

Non-pathologizing

IFS does not label or pathologize parts. Even parts that engage in problematic behaviors are not viewed as "bad" or "disordered." They're seen as doing their best to protect the individual, even if their methods are extreme or unhelpful.

Exiles

Exiles are parts that carry the burdens of past traumas, pain, or negative beliefs. They're often young parts that carry feelings like fear, shame, or sadness. To protect the person from feeling these difficult emotions, the exiles are kept out of consciousness, or "exiled" by other parts.

Managers

Managers are proactive parts that try to keep the exiles exiled and prevent further harm. They do this by trying to keep the person in control of every situation. Common manager parts include the critic (which tries to keep the person in line by criticizing them) and the caretaker (which looks after others' needs at the expense of the person's own needs).

Firefighters

Firefighters are reactive parts that step in when exiles break out of exile. Their job is to distract the person's attention away from the exiles' pain. Firefighters can lead to impulsive or destructive behaviors, like binge-eating, drug use, or rage, which can numb the pain or take the person's mind off it.

Suicide is also a behavior that Firefighters can engage in, in order to stop the emotional pain they feel from the Exile. This part can be spoken to and conversed with to help its intention of removal of pain to be lifted from itself and taken over by another role or, ideally, the Self.