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Understanding Parts Work in Therapy: Healing the Fragmented Self

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Many people seeking therapy describe feeling torn between conflicting emotions or behaviours – the part that wants to heal versus the part that feels stuck, or the part that longs for closeness versus the part that pushes others away. Parts work in therapy offers a compassionate and integrative approach to understanding these inner conflicts, helping individuals move towards wholeness and self-acceptance.


Drawing on approaches developed by Janina Fisher, Richard Schwartz and pioneers in ego state therapy, parts work views the psyche not as a single, unified entity but as a system of sub-personalities or “parts”, each with its own emotions, beliefs and memories. By learning to recognise, relate to and integrate these parts, clients can reduce internal conflict and foster psychological resilience.


Theoretical foundations of parts work

1. From ego states to internal families

The origins of parts work in therapy can be traced to Ego State Therapy, developed by John and Helen Watkins (1997). This psychodynamic approach posits that the personality is composed of semi-independent ego states – coherent systems of thoughts, feelings and behaviours developed across different life experiences. Trauma, neglect, or chronic stress can cause certain ego states to split off or become “stuck” in maladaptive roles.


Building on this foundation, Richard Schwartz (1995) introduced the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, which conceptualises the mind as an internal family composed of distinct parts, each serving protective or wounded functions. In IFS, the goal is not to eliminate any part but to help them harmonise under the compassionate leadership of the Self – the core essence characterised by qualities such as curiosity, calmness and compassion.


2. Janina Fisher and the trauma-informed lens

Janina Fisher, a leading expert in trauma and dissociation, expanded the clinical application of parts work through her Trauma-Informed Stabilisation Treatment (TIST) model (Fisher, 2017). Fisher’s approach integrates somatic awareness, mindfulness and neuroscience, helping clients recognise that their parts are not pathological but adaptive survival responses to trauma.


Fisher suggests that trauma fragments the self into “parts” that embody fight, flight, freeze, or appease responses. Rather than trying to eliminate these parts, therapy focuses on building compassionate relationships with them – teaching clients to observe their parts rather than be overwhelmed by them. As Fisher (2021) writes


"Every symptom reflects the story of a part that tried to protect us when we were powerless."

Understanding the language of parts

Parts work invites clients to describe their internal world using relational language. Instead of saying, “I am anxious,” a client might learn to say, “A part of me feels anxious.” This shift creates psychological distance and fosters self-leadership, defined broadly as the ability to witness inner experiences with curiosity rather than judgement.


Typical types of parts described in IFS and TIST include:


  • Exiles – parts that carry pain, shame, fear, or unmet needs from earlier life experiences.

  • Managers – parts that try to prevent pain by maintaining control, perfectionism, or detachment.

  • Firefighters – reactive parts that use impulsive behaviours (e.g., substance use, anger, dissociation) to extinguish emotional distress.


Through therapy, clients learn that even the most self-destructive parts have protective intentions. Recognising this reframes inner conflict as an internal system trying to survive rather than a sign of dysfunction.


The neuroscience of fragmentation and integration

Trauma research supports the idea that severe or chronic stress can fragment neural integration. According to Daniel Siegel’s (2012) theory of interpersonal neurobiology, integration, the linking of differentiated parts is the foundation of mental health. When trauma disrupts this integration, different neural networks can become associated with distinct emotional states or “parts,” resulting in disconnection, flashbacks, or numbing.


Fisher’s TIST model incorporates this neuroscientific perspective. She emphasises that parts are linked to specific body sensations and autonomic states, meaning that healing requires somatic as well as cognitive engagement. Grounding, orienting and mindful self-compassion help the nervous system tolerate previously overwhelming states, creating conditions for reintegration.


Parts work in therapy approaches

Understanding parts work in therapy flow chart.
Adapted from Janina Fisher's Healing The Fragmented Selves

1. Internal Family Systems (IFS)

The IFS process involves three broad steps:


  1. Identifying parts – Noticing inner voices, emotions, or impulses as distinct parts.

  2. Developing self-to-part relationships – Engaging with each part from a stance of curiosity and compassion.

  3. Unburdening – Helping wounded parts release beliefs, emotions, or burdens that no longer serve them.


IFS therapists facilitate dialogue between the Self and the parts, guiding the client towards internal harmony. A core principle is that there are No Bad Parts – only parts carrying extreme roles due to trauma or unmet needs (Schwartz & Sweezy, 2020).


Schwartz reminds us that we are each ‘born with an 'internal family' of distinct parts.’ Some members of the family get on while others pull in different directions. He claims that harmony can reign in even the most dysfunctional family if we learn to ‘relate to each [member] with curiosity, respect and empathy.’


2. Trauma-informed stabilisation treatment (TIST)

Janina Fisher’s TIST approach is particularly suited for clients with complex trauma or dissociative symptoms. It integrates mindfulness, somatic tracking, and psychoeducation to help clients understand their internal systems. The process typically involves:


  • Teaching clients to notice parts without becoming them, cultivating mindful awareness.

  • Encouraging compassionate curiosity about each part’s protective role.

  • Using body-based grounding exercises to regulate autonomic activation.

  • Gradually building a collaborative relationship among parts.


Fisher emphasises that stabilisation must precede processing; clients must feel safe enough to observe parts without retraumatisation.


3. Ego state therapy and hypnotherapy

In Ego State Therapy, therapists may use imagery or gentle hypnosis to communicate directly with parts, inviting them into dialogue. For instance, a client may visualise meeting an angry part or a frightened child part in a safe internal space. Through these encounters, the therapist helps negotiate understanding, cooperation and eventual integration (Watkins & Watkins, 1997).


This approach complements parts work in IFS and TIST, particularly for clients with strong somatic or emotional compartmentalisation.


4. Compassion-focused and somatic integration

Parts work also aligns closely with Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) and Somatic Experiencing (SE). Paul Gilbert’s (2010) compassion-based framework supports clients in cultivating self-compassion a key element in befriending parts that hold shame or fear.


Meanwhile, Peter Levine’s (2010) somatic work helps clients to complete defensive responses (fight/flight/freeze) embodied by traumatised parts, promoting physiological regulation. Integrating compassion and body awareness allows parts to feel “heard” not only cognitively but also physically – deepening the sense of safety required for healing.


Case illustration: meeting the inner protector

Consider a client named Anna, who seeks therapy for relationship difficulties. Through parts work, she identifies two dominant parts: one that longs for intimacy and another that withdraws whenever closeness appears. With guidance, Anna learns that her “withdrawn” part emerged in childhood to protect her from rejection and criticism (perhaps a subconscious defence mechanism against adverse childhood experiences).


Using mindfulness and dialogue, Anna begins to thank this part for its protection, while inviting it to trust her adult Self. Over time, her parts develop more cooperation: the protective part allows vulnerability and the vulnerable part feels safer expressing needs. Anna reports less inner conflict and greater emotional balance illustrating how integration fosters resilience.


The role of the therapist

In parts work, the therapist serves as both guide and compassionate witness. The therapeutic stance mirrors the qualities of the Self – curiosity, calmness, connection and compassion – modelling these attributes for the client’s internal system.


Fisher (2017) stresses that therapists must honour the protective wisdom of each part rather than pushing for quick resolution. This requires patience, pacing and attunement to the client’s nervous system. As integration unfolds, therapy shifts from symptom management to inner relationship building, leading to profound self-acceptance.


Integrating parts work with broader therapeutic modalities

Parts work integrates naturally with other evidence-based therapies, including:


  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – understanding automatic thoughts as expressions of protective parts.

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) – reprocessing traumatic memories held by specific parts.

  • Schema Therapy – identifying “modes” as parallel to parts or ego states (Young et al., 2003).

  • Mindfulness-based approaches – cultivating non-judgemental awareness of internal experience (try these mindfulness exercises >).


This flexibility makes parts work adaptable across modalities and client presentations, from trauma recovery to anxiety, depression and relational difficulties.


Part works in therapy: Critiques and considerations

While parts work has gained wide acceptance, some critics caution that the metaphor of “parts” might reinforce fragmentation if not handled carefully. Others highlight the need for empirical research to measure outcomes systematically. Nevertheless, emerging studies (e.g. Mahrer et al., 2022) indicate that IFS and related approaches enhance self-compassion, emotional regulation and trauma recovery outcomes.


Ethical practice requires ensuring clients understand that “parts” are metaphors for psychological processes, not literal entities – maintaining both clinical clarity and creative flexibility.



Conclusion: towards wholeness through compassion

Parts work therapy offers a powerful lens for understanding the human psyche one rooted in compassion, neuroscience and relational healing. Whether through the Internal Family Systems model, Janina Fisher’s trauma-informed approach, or ego state integration, the message is the same: all parts of us have value and deserve to be met with empathy.


As clients learn to listen inwardly rather than battle against themselves, the fragmented self begins to heal. What emerges is not a single, perfect self, but a harmonious internal community guided by compassion – the true essence of psychological integration.



References



About Dr Laura Allen –

A Chartered Psychologist & Integrative Therapist, Dr. Allen specialises in a broad range of therapeutic methods. She is a published author of numerous research papers and Interactive Courses in the field of Psychology. Dr. Allen works one-to-one with clients and supervises other practitioners. She is also a proud member of the British Psychological Society assessment team supporting psychologists in training.

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