DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy focuses on identifying the different parts of ourselves that emerge in various situations, which can lead to anxiety, resentment, or depression.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

IFS therapy not only addresses internal challenges but also promotes the growth of confidence, openness, and compassion.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The mind is not unitary; we all have multiple parts or subpersonalities that are valuable and help us survive and thrive, but trauma can force these parts into destructive roles.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Trauma can lock sensitive parts of us away, leading to feelings of worthlessness and fear, which can trigger extreme protective roles that interfere with our lives.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

When we experience trauma, we often exile our most sensitive parts, making us feel more delicate and vulnerable to triggers that can lead to emotional outbursts.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Understanding that our internal protectors, like critics, are not inherently negative but are trying to protect us is crucial for healing and self-exploration.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The 'firefighter' role emerges in response to overwhelming emotions, acting impulsively to distract or numb the pain, often causing collateral damage to relationships and self.

AH

Andrew Huberman Cast

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Surrendering in moments of conflict can provide better perspective and clarity, allowing for more constructive interactions with others.

AH

Andrew Huberman Cast

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

It's important to recognize that two people can perceive the same situation differently, and that misinterpretation of motives can be particularly distressing.

AH

Andrew Huberman Cast

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The essence of our truth is vital; losing it can lead to confusion and a sense of meaninglessness in our lives.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

I'm willing to let go of the idea of an absolute truth regarding my motivations and what happened in my relationships.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

I need to protect the part of me that feels injured when others misinterpret my motives.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

It's my nature to imagine as much goodness in the intent of others as possible, even if a relationship ends.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

If I let go of my protective response, I might move into a mode of judgment, which I find uncomfortable and sad.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

I yearn for the same sensitivity towards my own species as animals have towards each other, without judgment.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

I don't hate anyone, but I do dislike certain behaviors and actions that people take.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Being persistently angry at someone is very difficult for me; I prefer to maintain a loving stance.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

There's a part of me that judges others, and I'm afraid that if I don't keep it at bay, it will negatively impact my relationships.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

I believe in taking the appropriate amount of distance from people to maintain a loving stance towards them.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

I don't believe in cutting people out of my life; I prefer to see what can exist in relationships.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

In therapy, I help clients understand that their judgmental parts are also protectors, not just negative thoughts.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

There are no bad parts; every part has a protective role, and we need to get curious about them to help them transform.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

When we access our true self, we can heal our parts and learn to trust ourselves as leaders.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

IFS therapy allows individuals to become their own therapists, learning to nurture and protect their inner selves, but I resisted bringing it to the public for a long time because I learned that individuals with significant trauma are quite delicate, and exposing vulnerable parts can lead to fear and resistance.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

We created a workbook for people to engage with IFS without necessarily confronting their most vulnerable parts directly, allowing them to work with their protectors and understand that these parts are not their entire identity.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Getting curious about your protective parts can reveal that they are valuable and have discernment, helping you avoid harmful relationships.

AH

Andrew Huberman Cast

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

When you feel a strong emotion, like disappointment, it's important to acknowledge it rather than suppress it, as this can lead to role confusion and identity issues.

AH

Andrew Huberman Cast

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

I see both sides of modern politics and try to find the goodness in each, but this often leaves me feeling unaffiliated and confused about my own identity and roles.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Self-leadership is crucial in addressing conflicts, and to achieve this, individuals must unburden themselves from extreme beliefs and emotions inherited from their past traumas, which we refer to as Legacy burdens.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Many conflicts in the world are driven by these Legacy burdens, and we have developed effective methods to help people release them.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

In therapy, when conflicts arise, we encourage individuals to take a timeout and reflect on their internal parts before re-engaging, which helps to resolve conflicts more effectively.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

IFS therapy can be combined with psychedelics like ketamine, which helps to quiet protective parts and allows access to deeper self-awareness and healing.

AH

Andrew Huberman Cast

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

It's important to approach psychedelics with caution, as they can lead to serious problems if not guided properly, especially for young people whose brains are still developing.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Psychedelics can help individuals experience a sense of connection to something greater than themselves, which can be beneficial in therapeutic settings, especially for those facing end-of-life issues.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

When working with shameful beliefs, such as racism, it's essential to help individuals recognize these parts within themselves and understand that they are not defined by these beliefs.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

When we feel upset about something, it often reflects a part of ourselves that we're struggling with, but this isn't always the case.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Compassion for our judgmental parts can help us understand that they are trying to protect us and guide us toward discernment.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

All parts of us, even those that seem harmful, are trying to help, but they can take on destructive roles due to past burdens.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Understanding and having compassion for our protectors makes us less vulnerable, not more, and helps us develop compassion for others.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Protective parts can create the very situations they fear, leading to a cycle of conflict and misunderstanding.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

People often select partners who resemble their parents, driven by a subconscious desire for redemption from past hurts.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Repetition compulsion occurs when we unconsciously repeat patterns in relationships as an attempt to resolve past traumas.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

When working with couples, it's essential for each partner to become their own good attachment figure to alleviate burdens in the relationship.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Healthy relationships often arise from individuals who have done their inner work or experienced minimal trauma in their upbringing.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

It's important to engage with our protective parts regularly to ensure they feel heard and understood, fostering a healthier internal dynamic.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Daily self-check-ins with our protective parts can help maintain a healthy relationship with them and prevent regression.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The protectors within us can take on various roles, including managers who seek control and firefighters who react impulsively to protect vulnerable parts.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Firefighter roles often include impulsive behaviors like addiction or dissociation, which are designed to protect us from overwhelming feelings.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Suicidal thoughts can be seen as a protective mechanism against unbearable feelings, and understanding this can help in addressing them. The suicidal part often transforms into a part that wants to help you live, revealing a different approach to understanding suicide.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

In Internal Family Systems therapy, we explore the parts of ourselves that drive addictive behaviors, asking what those parts are afraid would happen if they didn't engage in those behaviors.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Healing involves addressing the pain and shame that drive addiction, allowing individuals to explore their fears and find healthier coping mechanisms.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

I realized that my workaholic tendencies stemmed from a fear of annihilation and a desire to prove my worth, which I had to confront to find balance in my life.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The fear of disappearing often masks a deeper fear of death, which many people, including those with addictions, grapple with.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Many addictions, whether substance-related or behavioral, are rooted in a universal fear of death, and addressing this fear can lead to healing.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The time is right for sharing new ideas in therapy and self-work, as the old guard in psychiatry is gradually being replaced by more innovative approaches.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The ultimate goal of humanity is to address our own traumas so that we can induce fewer traumas in others, creating a more compassionate world.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

When working with activists, it's crucial to help them approach their activism from a place of self-awareness rather than from a judgmental mindset, as this fosters better communication and impact.

DR

Dr. Richard Schwartz

03/03/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Internal Family Systems therapy offers a concrete method for individuals to explore their inner parts and achieve personal growth, which can ultimately change the world.

How to Achieve Inner Peace & Healing | Dr. Richard Schwartz

Takeaways