Parts Work - Establishing a Beautiful Practice for Wholeness

Parts work, like Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, is a powerful framework for understanding and healing the various aspects of our inner selves. Parts work acknowledges that each of us is comprised of numerous "parts," or distinct aspects of personality, belief systems, emotions, and experiences. If you aren't familiar with parts work or IFS, please take a moment to watch this short video.

I've found that understanding and engaging with our parts can be profoundly beneficial, and especially when coupled with medicine work. It may be helpful for us to have (at least) a basic understanding of parts work as this work can promote self-awareness, compassion, and wholeness as we explore and acknowledge diverse aspects of our psyche, including both light and shadow parts. When we better understand ourselves, we exercise more resilience, emotional regulation, and self-soothing, allowing us to navigate challenging experiences with greater ease and grace. Also, by developing a compassionate and curious relationship with our various parts, we can address underlying issues and facilitate healing on a deeper level. Ultimately, parts work fosters a sense of inner harmony, alignment, and wholeness. By honoring and embracing all parts of ourselves, we can cultivate a more integrated and authentic way of being, both during and beyond the medicine journey.

If it calls to you, I strongly encourage you to explore and practice parts work. Here are some diverse and helpful resources that explore the intersection of psychedelics and parts work. Also, please watch this beautiful video to the end to see how this father holds space for his son. It is such an example of how we can better show up to our parts and ultimately to ourselves.

1. Excellent podcast episode on the "We Can Do Hard Things" podcast through Spotify: Inside an Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy Session with Glennon Doyle and Richard Schwartz

2. Short but poignant article in Psychedelics Today "Working with Internal Family Systems Therapy and Psychedelics: Everything you Need to Know"

3. I love this 17-minute YouTube video: "No Bad Parts: Unblending from Protectors in IFS Therapy" and all of Dr. Tori Olds' gentle, concise videos on IFS.

4. 14-minute guided meditation "IFS Self-Leadership Meditation - Tree of our Inner World"

Additionally, below are some questions that you might reflect on. Please approach these questions with curiosity, openness, and self-compassion.

1. Identification of Parts: Can you identify different aspects of yourself that feel distinct or separate from your core identity? What emotions, beliefs, or behaviors do these parts typically manifest? How do they influence your thoughts and actions?

2. Exploration and Understanding: What are the underlying needs or intentions driving each of your parts? What are they trying to protect or achieve? How do these parts interact with one another? Are there any conflicts or tensions between them?

3. Listening and Validation: Are you able to listen to your parts with curiosity and openness, without judgment or criticism? How do your parts communicate with you? Do they express themselves through emotions, sensations, or inner dialogue?

4. Compassion and Acceptance: Can you offer compassion and acceptance to each of your parts, recognizing that they are all trying to help you in some way? How do you respond when a part of you is experiencing pain, fear, or vulnerability? Are you able to offer kindness and support to yourself in those moments?

5. Integration and Harmony: How can you work towards integrating your parts into a cohesive and harmonious whole? What practices or approaches can you employ to cultivate greater internal cooperation and alignment among your parts?