Richard Schwartz

Richard Schwartz attended Purdue University, where he received a PhD in marriage and family therapy. He began his professional career as associate professor at the Institute for Juvenile Research at the University of Illinois. Later, Schwartz joined The Family Institute at Northwestern University as an associate professor.

Schwartz developed a therapeutic technique called Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) after working with a number of clients who claimed to recognize that they had several components, or parts, to themselves. Schwartz observed that his clients’ parts were often rebellious and troublesome when unattended to and more compliant and obedient to what Schwartz termed the larger self when they were acknowledged and their needs were addressed.

Schwartz established The Center for Self Leadership (CSL) in 2000 to provide training in IFS. The organization offers workshops throughout the world to clinicians and laypeople. Through its website, CSL presents conferences and various resources to those interested in learning IFS.