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Many trauma victims develop a method of survival and coping strategies that involve self-alienation. However, this method does not lead to healing, which is why it is more effective for therapists to teach their clients that every Part matters.

Even if the Self is fully functional, each Part has an important role to play. In her book, Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors, author, Janina Fisher calls this, “No Part Left Behind.”

Respecting Every Part

One of the aspects of trauma that make it so challenging is the fact that the Parts do not receive the proper respect, understanding, and compassion. Parts like Shame, Fear, and Anger long to be heard because they have played a critical function in the trauma victim’s survival. However, their very nature can be problematic, and that leads to suppression. This becomes a dangerous cycle, which is where most trauma victims feel stuck.

Learning how to respect these and other Parts should be the standard in trauma therapy. When it is, any concern about being abandoned on behalf of the Parts is eliminated. For many childlike Parts, abandonment is just as worrisome as the threat of complete and total destruction.

Repairing the Relationship Between the Parts and the Self

There is tremendous healing that takes place for the Parts once they feel respected and understood. The best trauma therapists understand this and provide a therapy experience that allows the relationship between the Parts and the Self to get repaired.

It can take some time, but the outcome of the type of therapy offered by the Internal Family Systems (IFS) Model is truly incredible. As the healing process continues, the Self begins to form a mutual attachment with the Parts. The result of this attachment is that the Self becomes more and more able to regulate his or her responses to memories, and an overall feeling of safety develops and grows. Ultimately, this safer internal environment is the goal.

The Roles Parts Play Post-Trauma

As healing continues, trauma victims can develop the life they were always meant to have. This involves learning how to utilize their internal communication network in a way that is no longer dictated by the trauma they sustained.

Parts do so much more than offer survival and defense strategies following trauma. Each Part has a special job that can be honed to provide support to the Self in healthy ways. For example, the Fight Part can give the individual more energy and determination. This, in turn, empowers the Self to learn how to say no instead of always giving in to requests or demands out of a false sense of obligation. Other Parts also feel the shift, such as the Flight Part, which finally feels safe, and the Freeze Part, which knows it is protected.

Talk with a Trauma Therapist Today

The IFS Model of trauma therapy has helped so many people recover successfully. If you are struggling and other forms of therapy have not been effective, it may be time to try something different.

Contact me to make an appointment with an IFS trauma therapist.

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