Richard C. Schwartz, Ph.D.

"On the Integration of Spirituality and Psychotherapy: Releasing the Client’s Self"

Richard C. Schwartz, Ph.D., is currently the President of the Center for Self Leadership in Oak Park, IL and is a former Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago. He is the developer of the Internal Family Systems model and author of over 50 professional articles and 6 books. Two of particular interest to this address are: The Mosaic Mind: Empowering the Tormented Selves of Child Abuse Survivors, written with R. A. Goulding (Oak Park: Trailheads Publications, 2002) and the Introduction to the Internal Family Systems Model, Oak Park: Trailheads Publications, 2001). On Friday morning, Dr. Schwartz will present his plenary address, “On the Integration of Spirituality and Psychotherapy: Releasing the Client’s Self.” All the world’s religions agree that within us exists an untarnished essence, a Self, from which flows healing wisdom and spiritual energy. Most people rarely access this Self, however, because it is obscured by the parts of them that carry extreme emotions and beliefs and govern their life choices. Some of these parts are on guard constantly to protect them and others are swimming in fear, pain, and shame and, consequently, are locked away inside. The Internal Family Systems model (IFS) provides a safe, respectful way to release that essential Self of clients and, while in that compassionate, open state help them transform their inner worlds. A book signing will follow the address.

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