Internal Family Systems & Parts Work

Understanding your parts to promote healing and connection in your life

What is IFS / Parts Work?

Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is a therapeutic approach developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz in the 1980s. It focuses on understanding and healing the different parts or subpersonalities within an individual’s mind.

How IFS Works

Parts: IFS posits that the mind is made up of different "parts," each with its own perspectives, memories, and roles. These parts often have distinct emotions and motivations.
Self: IFS emphasizes the concept of the “Self,” which is the core of an individual’s identity and represents their true essence. The Self is characterized by qualities such as compassion, curiosity, and calm. The goal of IFS therapy is to help individuals access their Self and lead their parts from this centered, compassionate place.
Internal System: The internal dynamics among parts and how they interact with one another are central to IFS. Therapy involves understanding these interactions and how they affect one’s behavior and emotional well-being.
Healing: The therapeutic process in IFS involves helping clients to:
- Identify and understand their different parts.
- Address and heal the pain held by their parts.
- Reconcile and integrate the roles of different parts
- Strengthen the Self’s leadership to foster harmony among parts.

How can IFS/Parts Work help me?

Parts Work can be beneficial for anyone, but it is particularly effective for clients with PTSD, Complex PTSD, and dissociation. It also helps those who struggle to stay present, often feel like they’re living in a fog, or experience disconnection in their daily lives.

Through Parts Work, clients can gain a clearer understanding of their triggers and stressors. It supports healing by teaching skills to remain in the present moment, which helps clients feel grounded and reduces experiences of dissociation.

Parts Work enables clients to better comprehend their inner conflicts and gives voice to the parts struggling in relationships or feeling unheard at work.

Additionally, Parts Work assists clients who feel lost or unsure of their identity by providing an opportunity to explore and integrate their various parts, helping them to fully understand and connect with themselves.

How does Parts Work support EMDR Therapy?

For clients who have experienced trauma, engaging in Parts Work can be profoundly healing by allowing each part to feel seen and heard in relation to their experiences.

Parts Work offers the opportunity to integrate different parts and provide comfort and compassion to younger parts whose needs were unmet during the trauma.

Additionally, Parts Work can enhance emotional regulation following EMDR processing by offering and practicing additional regulation skills, helping clients learn how to experience calm.

Learn more about EMDR here