Book Review: Internal Family Systems: Making a Start & Getting Curious about Parts

When I was undergoing regular therapy, my therapist would give me handouts and articles. Sometimes this material supported the work in the session (maybe a definition, a diagram, or an exercise), and sometimes it was homework for next time. I referred back to these resources regularly and still do. After a couple of years, I suggested to my therapist that she should convert all these resources into a book. She dismissed the idea, stating that she was too busy with other things. This was a good lesson for me in keeping boundaries, but I also felt that it was a loss for the clients and professionals who follow her therapeutic approach.

Emma Redfern’s new book, Internal Family Systems: Making a Start & Getting Curious about Parts (Sheldon Press, 2026), is a wonderful example of what my therapist could have produced. Redfern’s book introduces Internal Family Systems (IFS) with two key audiences in mind. It is an excellent mini-course for those who are new to IFS and want to establish whether or not it is for them. It can also act as a guide and resource to support clients working with IFS professionals—something like my therapist’s well-ordered collection of thoughtful handouts.

Redfern is a leading IFS supervisor and therapist in the UK, but perhaps more importantly from my perspective, she is also a client. Some will know her from her podcast (Purely IFS with Emma and Gayle) or social media presence. She excels at in-depth clarity of explanation, and she has a disarming willingness to be personally open with her anecdotes.

The book is divided into six helpful sections and includes “journal prompts” at the end of each chapter. These go a long way to making the book a form of self-guided therapy, a mini-course for the tentative novice. Redfern explains the theoretical underpinnings of IFS, and the book is cleverly organized and easy to refer back to. Redfern is prepared throughout to offer her own experiences to illustrate the practices she is describing, making the material engaging, enlightening, and easier to absorb. There are also illustrations for the visual learners among us, and Redfern demonstrates the power of compassion and curiosity in her examples.

In short, anyone considering IFS therapy for the first time will feel a lot less threatened by the process after reading this book. Redfern’s writing is clear that you can step away from the text if you need to integrate. It’s not uncommon for strong emotions to emerge when engaging with IFS. Professional help should be considered if following the material becomes overwhelming. There are appendices, with resources for clients, and notes and a list of references so that the reader can explore key points further.

It is rare to find a book that clearly and helpfully does exactly what it claims to do. Redfern has gifted the IFS community a rich and valuable resource.

This book available for order here: Internal Family Systems: Making A Start & Getting Curious about Parts: Amazon.co.uk: Redfern, Emma E.: 9781399822947: Books