We All Have Parts: An Illustrated Guide to Healing Trauma with Internal Family Systems Hardcover – September 14, 2021

The author’s body of work has been a game changer for me as a trauma-informed therapist.I’ve been using this her previous book ("Understanding Trauma A Survivor's Guide") with my clients for the past year and a half, and it gives great validation and comfort to them. As expected, this new book is formatted in a similar way with vivid illustrations and easy to understand language.The way the author incorporates parts work is very helpful for clients working through developmental/childhood/complex PTSD. After introducing parts work in this way, I have become more effective with the trauma processing work that I offer (e.g. EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). As I have learned, this is because unidentified (protective) parts can become concerned and block the person from confronting and processing overwhelming material/trauma. Guiding clients in the ways presented in this book leads to clarity and self acceptance, and added courage to face their shadows.One of my favorite exercises that got flushed out even more in this book is called mapping. It helps the reader identify different parts and then use a series of gentle questions to deepen one’s understanding of each part. This is such a neat personal growth tool for anybody who enjoys self inquiry.This former book has minimal words and serves as a great teaching tool during sessions. This new book offers the same material with added words and additional concepts. I look forward to offering this new book to some of my clients for their reading and reflection in between sessions.

I use a lot of IFS in the trauma work I do, and I keep this book out for clients. I was a little concerned it might be more geared toward a younger audience, but my adult clients have all found the language and presentation accessible and informative, not condescending or childish. Two have actually bought their own copies! Only critique is the shape of the book; it's an odd shape so hard to fit on my bookshelf, but maybe that works out better as it lives on the side table in easy reach!

This book is to a modern human being's emotional/psychological self what an automotive manual is to a car. If you find yourself or others around you being emotionally reactive or emotionally shut off in ways that don't make any sense or that are happening in your family one generation after another, then this book is for you. Every time I show it to someone they end up buying themselves a copy and thanking me months later for introducing them to it. The same information is in many longer books, but this is a very concise overview with great illustrations, and once I had this particular book to share with others it began to have a huge positive impact on every group I belong to. This book is worth ten times it's weight in gold. Every human being should own a copy of this book.

A short and focused illustration the family systems concepts. I found it accessible, and not overwhelming with words. It’s a pretty perfect tool for the mental health toolbox.

I am a trauma therapist. This book explains the concept of dissociation so even adults can understand. It is very helpful.

Very basic and written on a very small scale. It's an easy read for someone newly diagnosed. Well written.

I got this book on advice from my therapist. It was my first introduction to IFS and I am so grateful for the coping skills and emotional work this book emphasizes. It revolutionized the way that I look at myself and in particular the parts of myself I dislike.Without going into details about my trauma, I'd say my main takeaways from this book were:- All parts of ourselves exist for a reason.- No part is inherently bad or wrong, we just need to learn how to soothe and work with it, instead of against it and letting the part take the driver's seat.- Self-compassion can be very difficult, but with it you can learn to live a happier, lighter, and more fulfilled life.I highly recommend this book. If you're on the fence- buy it.

I recently learned about IFS through MindBody work and have been reading books & listening to podcasts. I get the concept but it was confusing until I read this book. It’s a short, easy read in plain English with perfect illustrations. It’s a game changer! If you want to learn more about Internal Family Systems, or you’re not sure what that is but you want heal from past trauma, buy this book immediately.