What Is Parts Work?
Parts Work: Healing Through Inner Connection
Have you ever said, “Part of me wants to move on, but part of me just can’t let go”? Or felt like there’s an inner tug-of-war happening inside you?
That’s not just a metaphor. It’s a real psychological experience—one that Parts Work helps us understand, explore, and heal.
What Is Parts Work?
Parts Work is a therapeutic approach based on the idea that we are made up of many different “parts” or subpersonalities. Each part has its own perspective, feelings, needs, and role in our internal world. While these parts are all aspects of you, they can sometimes feel like they’re in conflict.
For example:
One part wants to set boundaries, while another part fears rejection.
One part is deeply hurt, while another tries to stay numb or distracted.
One part wants to forgive, while another holds onto anger for protection.
Parts Work helps us get to know these inner parts, understand where they come from, and create more compassion, clarity, and harmony inside ourselves.
Where Does It Come From?
Parts Work is most well-known through Internal Family Systems (IFS), a therapeutic model developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz. In IFS, each person is seen as having:
Exiles – Parts that carry wounds, trauma, or vulnerability
Managers – Parts that try to control or avoid discomfort
Firefighters – Parts that react impulsively to soothe or distract (e.g., overeating, lashing out)
Self – A calm, compassionate, wise inner core that can lead the healing process
Why We Have Parts
Our parts develop to help us survive, cope, and make sense of the world—especially in childhood or during traumatic experiences. Even the parts that seem “self-sabotaging” or “too much” are usually trying to protect us in some way.
The goal of Parts Work is not to get rid of parts, but to:
Understand their purpose
Unburden them from pain they carry
Help them trust that you (your Self) are capable of leading with care and compassion
What Parts Work Looks Like in Practice
In therapy, you might:
Identify a specific part (e.g., “the angry protector” or “the anxious achiever”)
Get curious: When did this part show up? What is it afraid would happen if it didn’t do its job?
Listen, without judgment
Invite connection from your inner Self to that part
Help that part feel seen, supported, and safe to soften its grip
Often, just being with a part with kindness starts the healing process.
A Simple Example
Let’s say you procrastinate on something important. With Parts Work, you might discover:
A Fearful part that believes if you fail, you’ll be ashamed
A Critical part that pushes you to get things done
A Tired part that just wants to rest but doesn’t feel allowed to
Each of these parts is valid. When you approach them with curiosity instead of criticism, they often shift—and you feel more internally at peace and empowered.
Why It Helps
Parts Work helps people:
Understand inner conflict with compassion
Heal wounds from childhood or trauma
Reduce anxiety, shame, and self-sabotage
Improve self-trust and emotional regulation
Feel more whole and self-led
When your inner world feels less like a battlefield and more like a team working together, life becomes easier to navigate.
Getting Started
You don’t have to be in therapy to begin working with your parts, but it helps to be led by a trained professional. You can start by noticing:
What emotions or voices show up in stressful moments?
Are any parts trying to protect or push you?
Can you pause and ask: “What does this part need right now?”
Gentleness is key. You don’t have to fix your parts—just listen, get curious, and lead with compassion.
Final Thought
You are not broken. You are multi-faceted—and every part of you has a reason for being here.
Parts Work invites you to become the loving leader your inner system has always needed. And from that place of self-connection, healing becomes not just possible—but inevitable.
Contact Bee Blissful today if you are interested in starting Parts Work.
