Understanding Parts Work
Parts work is based on the idea that the mind is not a singular entity but is made up of different "parts" that hold various emotions, beliefs, and behaviors. These parts often serve protective functions, especially in trauma survivors, where certain parts may emerge to shield the individual from pain or danger. For example, a "protector" part might push people away to avoid emotional harm, while a "wounded child" part might hold the raw emotions of fear or sadness.
In CPTSD, parts work can be crucial because trauma often forces individuals to split off painful or unacceptable emotions in order to survive. These parts can be in conflict with each other, and the person may feel like they are constantly battling themselves—sometimes experiencing intense emotions or behaviors that don’t feel fully under their control.
Common Parts in CPTSD
CPTSD often involves dissociation, emotional dysregulation, and a fragmented sense of self. Parts work addresses all of these issues by giving space to the different parts that have developed as a response to trauma. It acknowledges that these parts are not "bad" but were once adaptive strategies for survival. Through parts work, individuals can learn to reintegrate these parts, reduce their internal struggles, and foster a sense of wholeness.
In summary, parts work is a compassionate, empowering approach for individuals with CPTSD, helping them heal from the inside out. It fosters understanding, integration, and emotional regulation by addressing the complex internal landscape created by prolonged trauma, and it provides a pathway toward greater inner harmony and healing.
I utilize the concepts of IFS in my work, but I am not a certified IFS clinician. It is one of the many tools used in my therapy when it is needed.
Parts work is based on the idea that the mind is not a singular entity but is made up of different "parts" that hold various emotions, beliefs, and behaviors. These parts often serve protective functions, especially in trauma survivors, where certain parts may emerge to shield the individual from pain or danger. For example, a "protector" part might push people away to avoid emotional harm, while a "wounded child" part might hold the raw emotions of fear or sadness.
In CPTSD, parts work can be crucial because trauma often forces individuals to split off painful or unacceptable emotions in order to survive. These parts can be in conflict with each other, and the person may feel like they are constantly battling themselves—sometimes experiencing intense emotions or behaviors that don’t feel fully under their control.
Common Parts in CPTSD
- Wounded Parts: These parts hold the pain, fear, and vulnerability from past traumatic experiences. They are often young, frozen in time, and carry the core wounds of trauma, such as feelings of abandonment, shame, or worthlessness.
- Protector Parts: These parts develop to protect the wounded parts from being overwhelmed by trauma again. They may appear as anger, hypervigilance, avoidance, or dissociation, all in the service of preventing the person from re-experiencing the original pain. Sometimes protector parts can seem harsh or even self-destructive, but their intention is to guard against vulnerability.
- Exiled Parts: These are parts that hold the deepest pain and are often pushed away because the feelings they carry (like shame, grief, or terror) are too overwhelming to face. Over time, these exiled parts can cause distress if not addressed, often surfacing in the form of intrusive memories or dissociation.
- Integrating Fragmented Parts: In CPTSD, parts of the self can become fragmented due to repeated trauma. Parts work helps bring awareness to these different aspects of the self, allowing them to be recognized and integrated. This process can reduce internal conflict, dissociation, and the feeling of being overwhelmed by competing emotions or behaviors.
- Releasing Trauma from Exiled Parts: Many parts hold traumatic memories or overwhelming emotions that have been "exiled" to protect the individual. In parts work, these exiled parts are gently approached and given a voice in a safe, controlled environment. This allows for the release and healing of trauma without overwhelming the person, reducing the burden these parts carry.
- Healing Protector Parts: Protector parts, while trying to protect the individual from further harm, can sometimes block progress in therapy. By understanding their role and intention, these parts can be engaged in a collaborative way, allowing them to soften their defenses once they feel that the person is in a safer environment and has the capacity to cope.
- Reducing Inner Criticism: Many people with CPTSD have harsh internal critics—parts of themselves that are hypervigilant and self-punishing, often to avoid vulnerability or weakness. Parts work helps individuals understand that even the inner critic is a protector part trying to shield them from perceived threats. By addressing these parts with compassion, the intensity of self-criticism can be reduced.
- Fostering Compassion and Empowerment: Parts work emphasizes compassion for every part of oneself, even those that feel destructive or unwelcome. This can be particularly healing for people with CPTSD, who often struggle with feelings of shame and self-blame. Learning to approach each part with empathy empowers the individual to take control of their healing journey and develop a kinder, more unified relationship with themselves.
- Enhancing Emotional Regulation: By recognizing and working with different parts, individuals can better understand their emotional triggers and responses. This helps them regulate emotions more effectively, as they learn to respond to the needs of each part rather than being overwhelmed by intense feelings.
CPTSD often involves dissociation, emotional dysregulation, and a fragmented sense of self. Parts work addresses all of these issues by giving space to the different parts that have developed as a response to trauma. It acknowledges that these parts are not "bad" but were once adaptive strategies for survival. Through parts work, individuals can learn to reintegrate these parts, reduce their internal struggles, and foster a sense of wholeness.
In summary, parts work is a compassionate, empowering approach for individuals with CPTSD, helping them heal from the inside out. It fosters understanding, integration, and emotional regulation by addressing the complex internal landscape created by prolonged trauma, and it provides a pathway toward greater inner harmony and healing.
I utilize the concepts of IFS in my work, but I am not a certified IFS clinician. It is one of the many tools used in my therapy when it is needed.