Episode #35
Episode 37: Meet Your Parts: An Introduction to Internal Family Systems
In this episode, Morgan gives a listener-friendly introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS), also known as parts work — the idea that we're each made up of an internal "family" of parts. She walks through the core roles: burdened or exiled parts that carry old pain, shame, and fear; protector parts that work to keep that pain hidden, including reactive firefighters (rage, numbing, addiction, shutting down) and proactive managers (perfectionism, people-pleasing, overfunctioning); and Self, the calm, compassionate, curious core beneath all of it that IFS founder Richard Schwartz says every person has access to, even when it's buried. Morgan connects this framework directly to betrayal trauma — for betrayed partners, betraying partners, and children alike, parts work offers language for why someone can feel love and rage in the same breath, or why "acting out" behavior is often a protector doing its job, not a character flaw. Understanding parts doesn't excuse harmful behavior or replace accountability and repair, but it can build compassion for yourself and for others in the family system as everyone works toward healing. She recommends No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz and Altogether You by Jenna Riemersma for anyone wanting to go deeper, and points listeners to a companion parts-work handout linked below. Parts Work Handout No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz Altogether You by Jenna Riemersma Register for “Witnessed” coaching groups for teens and adult children Enjoyed This Episode? If this conversation resonated with you, here are three ways you can support the show: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Leave a Review — Reviews help other people in the betrayal trauma community find this podcast when they need it most. It only takes a minute and means the world. Share This Episode — Know someone who needs to hear this? Send it to them. Share it on your social media. You never know who might be waiting for exactly this conversation. About the Host Morgan Ellsworth is a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (LAMFT) and Board Certified Coach (BCC) with advanced training in trauma-informed care. She is certified through APSATS as a Certified Clinical Partner Specialist Associate (CCPS-A) and Certified Partner Coach (CPC) and works with individuals and families impacted by betrayal trauma. Connect with Morgan @Healing.betrayed.families on Instagram or email her directly at morgan.ellsworth98@gmail.com Visit Morgan’s coaching website For those looking for therapeutic support in Arizona, connect with Morgan at her supervised private practice, Ellsworth Family Therapy Thank you for listening to Healing Betrayed Families .
