The effectiveness of EMDR therapy can in some cases be enhanced by the inclusion of principles and tools from other types of therapy. One example of this is Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and its practice of “parts work.” Keep reading for an introduction to IFS and how it can be weaved into EMDR in profoundly healing ways.

What are Parts and Parts Work?

IFS operates from the idea that each of us contains a constellation of parts within us. IFS also assumes that every person has a core Self that is capable of leading this system of parts from a balanced and assured place. The overarching goal of IFS therapy is to strengthen the Self and heal any burdened parts. In so doing, the Self is able to assume its position of leadership and take in information that different parts have to offer without the parts themselves taking over.

The process of engaging in parts work involves first identifying and mapping out a person’s internal system of parts and how they interact. Therapist and client will then choose a part that feels important to engage with in a given session. The therapist will help the client access that part through reflection on where it manifests in or around the body and thoughts/feelings associated with it.

From there, therapist and client can use a number of strategies to get to know the part, when/how it came to be as it is, what it feels its job is, and what it fears will happen if it does not do this job in its habitual way. Over time, therapist and client can work to strengthen trust between the part and the client’s Self. When this trust is in place, parts no longer feel as though they need to take over in order to keep the client safe and can then operate in less extreme and more helpful ways.  

How Trauma Impacts the Internal System

IFS postulates that when a person experiences trauma, an “exile” part develops. These exiles hold the memory, pain, and terror associated with the traumatic experiences. In order to protect a person from these intense emotions and enable daily functioning, exiles are often isolated away from the rest of a person’s internal system so they are not noticed or acknowledged in everyday life.

However, when parts feel unseen and unheard, they tend to express themselves in extreme ways that can create problems for the individual in an effort to receive the care and attention they long for.

To try to keep exiles in their places and ensure the person remains safe, “manager” and “firefighter” parts evolve. Managers show up in a person’s everyday life and try to preserve control of situations and relationships. People pleasing is an example of a manager part. If a person is always trying to make others happy, they maintain a sense of control and ultimately feel safer by avoiding conflict or reducing the potential for negative judgment of others.

Firefighters, on the other hand, kick into action when an exile is triggered. They act quickly and extremely to turn off or distance the overwhelming emotions that the exile holds. Overuse of substances is an example of a firefighter part as alcohol and drugs act fast to numb emotions.

Integration with EMDR

IFS is a complete therapeutic treatment on its own. However, it has become increasingly common to blend IFS with EMDR therapy because of the unique ability this combination of treatments has to heal trauma.

Considered through an IFS lens, when we do EMDR work we are trying to heal exiled parts so they can release the traumatic burdens they have carried. As described above, however, our internal systems are organized around keeping these exiles siloed off. Parts work with manager and firefighter parts is often essential to access and work with exiles.

In this parts work, therapist and client work to understand then reassure manager and firefighter parts that the exiles can be safely worked with, meaning that accessing them will not have terrible consequences for the system as a whole. Doing so before beginning EMDR reprocessing work and during reprocessing work as needed obtains the “permission” of a person’s whole internal system to carry out the healing work of EMDR. As such, parts work minimizes the likelihood of a person becoming “blocked” in their EMDR work or of being overly triggered when tapping into traumatic memories.

EMDR + IFS is a powerful treatment approach. In particular, if you have tried other forms of talk therapy and not seen meaningful improvement in your quality of life, this is a different way of working that for many is more effective. If you’re interested in how these therapies could serve you, contact me today to learn more.