“Parts Work” comes from the therapeutic modality known as Internal Family Systems (IFS), developed by Richard Schwartz. While I am not officially certified in IFS, I find its framework deeply resonant. It suggests that we, as individuals, are not a singular, unified self but rather a collection of various parts, each with its own perspective and role. Even the parts that contribute to our struggles are, in their own way, trying to serve and perhaps protect us. You might recognize aspects of this concept in the popular animated films Inside Out and Inside Out 2, where different emotions are depicted as distinct characters within a person.

Have you ever experienced a situation where you hold a certain value, but your actions contradict it? Perhaps you deeply value a calm, loving relationship, yet find yourself regularly snapping at your partner. Or maybe you prize hard work, yet struggle with motivation when it comes time to tackle tasks. Or, despite knowing you would feel better without alcohol, you repeatedly reach for it. These contradictions can feel confusing if we view ourselves as a single, unified entity. However, if we embrace the idea of being made up of many parts, we can begin to understand that sometimes our system is being driven by conflicting parts with different goals for us.

What I find most compelling about this theory is the belief that all of our parts are ultimately trying to serve us. Each part’s intention is rooted in what it believes is best for us, even if it doesn’t align with our core values. Therefore, healing, in the context of this framework, involves connecting with our parts—especially those we may wish to ignore or suppress—understanding their needs and desires, and exploring what might be preventing them from acting in harmony with our values.