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IFS therapy: parts work & self-compassion

Internal Family Systems, often called IFS or parts work, offers a way to explore conflicting feelings and protective responses. These interviews explain the model in everyday language, then consider how guests use it to discuss trauma, faith, and money. You do not need to know the terminology before listening.

Conversations hosted by Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, QS.

A little context before you listen

What does “parts” mean in IFS therapy?

In the IFS model, “parts” describes different aspects of a person’s inner experience, including protective responses and vulnerable feelings. The model also uses the term Self for a compassionate, steady way of relating to those parts. It is a therapeutic framework, not a diagnosis.

Learn more: IFS Institute: the model explained.

Where should I start if IFS is new to me?

Episode 59 introduces the model and its language. Episode 118 explores protective parts, complex trauma, and faith. Episode 78 applies an IFS-informed perspective to emotional spending and financial shame.

Where would you like to begin?

Episode 59

Start here: an introduction to Internal Family Systems

Dr. Tori Olds explains protectors, exiles, and Self, and discusses self-compassion and change. The conversation provides the vocabulary used in the other IFS interviews without requiring prior experience with the model.

Original episode: Unlocking Self-Healing with Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy: A Deep Dive with Dr. Tori Olds

Listen to the episode →Read the transcript

Episode 118

Protective parts, complex trauma, and questions of faith

Lynn Kearney, LMFT, discusses why understanding a pattern intellectually can differ from feeling emotionally settled. Diana and Lynn explore the phrase “no bad parts,” accountability, protective responses, and questions about finding a therapist.

Original episode: "No Bad Parts"? IFS, CPTSD, Faith & Deep Healing with Lynn Kearney, LMFT

Listen to the episode →Read the transcript

Episode 78

Parts work and your relationship with money

Jennifer Schrappe, LPCC-S, brings an IFS-informed perspective to spending, saving, avoidance, scarcity, and shame. This is a conversation about the emotional meaning of money, rather than financial planning advice.

Original episode: Healing Your Money Story — Emotional Spending, IFS, and Financial Peace with Jennifer Schrappe, LPCC-S

Listen to the episode →Read the transcript

Questions to take with you

  • Which description of an inner conflict felt familiar, and which did not?
  • What would I want to ask a therapist about their IFS training and how they evaluate whether it fits my needs?

These prompts are invitations to reflect, not a screening tool or a diagnosis.

Keep exploring the archive

The following episodes also mention IFS or Internal Family Systems in their titles, show notes, or available transcripts. Some mentions are brief. They are additional places to explore after the featured interviews.

Browse 38 more episodes mentioning this topic

Search the archive for IFS →