Internal Family Systems Therapy Faces Scrutiny After Allegations of False Memories and Patient Harm
A growing number of mental health professionals are raising concerns about Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, a popular approach that posits individuals possess multiple “parts” or personalities, following reports of patients developing false memories and experiencing psychological harm during treatment, particularly at now-defunct Castlewood Treatment Center.
In 2011, Bobby Lerz sent his 16-year-old daughter, Elizabeth (not her real name), to Castlewood in Missouri for treatment of an eating disorder, hoping for recovery. However, weeks into her stay, Lerz began receiving unsettling calls from Elizabeth, including one where she claimed to have been bartending at his tavern – an impossibility, he says. Further distress arose when Elizabeth texted his stepsister, questioning Lerz about alleged past abuse. These accusations escalated into a formal investigation by New York State Child Protective Services, alleging decades of sexual abuse perpetrated by Lerz and others, claims a judge later deemed “incredible” after a year-long legal battle costing Lerz $45,000 in legal fees. “After she testified… she gets up and she pirouettes like a ballerina out of the courtroom,” Lerz recalled, describing the bizarre behavior during her testimony. The case highlights the potential for suggestibility and the creation of false memories within the context of IFS therapy.
IFS, developed by Richard Schwartz in the 1980s, has gained significant popularity in recent years, endorsed by celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Alanis Morissette, and now taught to over 15,000 therapists. The core tenet of IFS is that by identifying and engaging with these internal “parts,” individuals can heal emotional wounds. However, critics, including psychologists at the American Psychological Association, argue that the therapy lacks a strong scientific basis and may be particularly harmful to vulnerable patients with conditions like complex PTSD or borderline personality disorder. Lisa Brownstone, a psychologist specializing in eating disorders, co-authored a report last year raising concerns that IFS can “disorganize” patients and blur the lines of reality. The controversy surrounding IFS echoes past concerns about recovered memory therapy, which faced similar criticisms for its potential to induce false recollections.
Castlewood Treatment Center, where Elizabeth Lerz received treatment, faced multiple lawsuits alleging that therapists, including co-founder Mark Schwartz, encouraged patients to construct elaborate narratives of trauma and abuse. Former patients reported experiencing bizarre behaviors during therapy sessions, such as acting out different ages or even animal personas. While Richard Schwartz maintains that IFS is safe when practiced correctly, the allegations against Castlewood and the growing chorus of criticism from the psychiatric community are prompting a reevaluation of the therapy’s widespread adoption. Authorities are now investigating whether the Alsana facilities, which acquired Castlewood in 2017, have continued similar practices.
Officials at the IFS Institute say they are updating training requirements to emphasize the importance of rigorous clinical oversight, while mental health professionals continue to debate the appropriate role of IFS in treating complex psychological conditions.
