Blending ACT and IFS: A Compassionate Framework for Therapists in 2025

As a therapist in 2025, you may be navigating the complexities of integrating various therapeutic modalities to best serve your clients. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) are two evidence-based approaches that, when combined, offer a powerful framework for fostering psychological flexibility and self-compassion. This blog will explore how ACT techniques can help clients stay present while working through challenging parts in IFS and how to balance ACT’s acceptance strategies with IFS’s deeper exploration of inner conflicts.

Using ACT Techniques to Stay Present During IFS Work

One of the core tenets of ACT is fostering present-moment awareness, which is crucial when guiding clients through IFS processes. ACT emphasizes mindfulness practices to help clients anchor themselves in the present, which can reduce overwhelm when they encounter vulnerable or protective parts (Hayes et al., 2016).

In practice, you might encourage clients to focus on their breath or use grounding exercises during an IFS session when they begin to feel flooded by a particular part. For instance, when a client encounters a highly critical “manager” part, guiding them to mindfully observe the part without judgment can enhance their ability to remain engaged and open to the IFS process (Sweezy, 2021).

Balancing ACT’s Acceptance Strategies with IFS’s Exploration of Inner Conflicts

ACT’s commitment to acceptance complements IFS’s goal of unblending and integrating conflicted parts. In IFS, clients often work to understand the roles and intentions of their parts, which can sometimes evoke discomfort or resistance (Schwartz & Sweezy, 2020). ACT’s acceptance strategies can help clients approach these difficult emotions with curiosity rather than avoidance.

For example, when a client encounters a deeply wounded “exile” part, ACT’s practice of cognitive defusion can assist in creating psychological distance from unhelpful thoughts, allowing clients to stay connected to their values and the overall therapeutic process (Hayes et al., 2016). Encouraging clients to “make space” for discomfort aligns with IFS’s directive to build a compassionate relationship with all parts, fostering deeper healing and self-integration.

Integrating ACT and IFS provides new therapists with a flexible, compassionate approach to therapy. By using ACT techniques to foster present-moment awareness and acceptance, you can enhance the IFS process of exploring and unblending inner parts. This blend allows for a more holistic and client-centered practice, empowering clients to cultivate psychological flexibility and self-compassion.

References

Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (2016). Acceptance and commitment therapy: The process and practice of mindful change (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.

Schwartz, R. C., & Sweezy, M. (2020). Internal family systems therapy (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.

Sweezy, M. (2021). The integration of Internal Family Systems and polyvagal theory. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 31(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1037/int0000225