This concept, pioneered by family therapist Richard Schwartz, is part of a larger therapeutic approach called Internal Family Systems (IFS).
His theory is that we all have multiple parts or sub-personalities. In his book, No Bad Parts, he recommends getting to know them and treating them with compassion to help manage stress—and life—a little better.
Think for a moment about your inner critic, or worrier, or striver, and so on. You may have noticed how one of these personalities or "parts" of yourself often dominate your life, while others are more passive.
Through the IFS process, Dr. Schwartz says, you can embrace and balance all your selves and create more peace and well-being...a wholeness, if you will.
According to a recent NPR story, there are more than 6,000 IFS-certified therapists and practitioners worldwide. Therapists use this technique to address many issues, including couples therapy, complicated grief, trauma, and others. While there's a growing demand for more research to solidify IFS as an evidence-based practice, anecdotal accounts say that parts work helps people with specific issues such as chronic pain, PTSD, excessive stress, and more.
Although I'm always fascinated by different therapeutic applications for wellness, what I found most interesting about IFS is that it shares yogic-like elements, such as quieting the mind, listening to your "parts" with inquisitiveness instead of judgement, and asking for or creating space to usher in more calm. There are other components of the practice, too, and it seems like a fascinating approach.
To learn more, follow the book link above, read the NPR story, or watch Dr. Schwartz explain it more clearly.
(photo courtesy of Darius Bashar on Unsplash)
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