Many trauma survivors are too blended with their Parts to actively engage in mindfulness. Because they so closely identify with their Parts’ feelings and beliefs, it is challenging for them to see them separately. Practicing externalized mindfulness is an important component of trauma therapy that can help with that. As a therapist, this type of [...]

We have discussed some of what you can expect when you begin working with an internal family systems therapist. For example, you will be instructed to focus internally, reminded that you are the one in control, and why “Parts” language is used. But there is more you should be aware of as well, which I [...]

If you have never experienced the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model of therapy, the concept is probably very unfamiliar to you. It is normal to wonder what you can expect to experience during your sessions and throughout the healing process. Let’s take a few moments and talk about some of what happens when you work [...]

Every trauma victim’s Parts share the same body, brain, and environment. When the victim experiences a thought or feeling, it is important for them to be able to differentiate the “voice” behind it. That requires the person to stop, listen, and understand when that Part is speaking. There is a lot of healing that can [...]

Many trauma survivors find it easy to be compassionate toward others, but when it comes to offering themselves that same level of compassion, they struggle. They learn to tolerate hurt, disappointment, and even rejection in their relationships with the people they care about. Yet, they lack the ability to accept themselves unconditionally. Mindfulness plays an [...]

Many trauma victims are completely unaware of the Parts storm that is brewing inside of them. They only know what they feel and experience in any given moment. It should come as no surprise that they are also not aware of the Self. The key to healing trauma is found in not only identifying the [...]

There are struggles within every family, and the internal family is no different. In fact, it really should be expected. But when a person is dealing with significant trauma, those struggles can feel like a storm is constantly brewing on the inside. Parts that cry for help or that have attachment issues can trigger fight [...]

Managers are the protective Parts. It is their job to take care of our everyday safety needs. A lot of people experience Managers as the voices they hear, and eventually, come to think of as themselves. Trauma victims typically come to rely on Managers to help them form their opinions and judgments, but at the [...]

Trauma victims tend to have two types of Parts – protective Parts and protected Parts. The protective Parts feel the need to protect the more vulnerable Parts, and the internal systems organize themselves in this way. In some people, the protective Parts dominate, while in others, the protected Parts do. Everyone is different, but it [...]

When trauma is left unresolved, it is very easy for the Parts to take over. When they do, they can cause all kinds of issues for trauma victims. In fact, sometimes Parts can take over to the point where they begin to inherently change the life of a person altogether. Trauma Symptoms Vs. Beliefs In [...]