Parts Therapy

INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS (IFS) + Anchored Relational Model

All of your Parts functioning together, guided by your calm, wise core Self.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) 

This is a type of talk therapy developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz. It helps a person learn to engage with themselves on a deeper and more nuanced level. It is based on the idea that the mind is made up of different "parts," much like a family, and that each part has its own unique perspective, emotions, and role. These parts often develop as a way to protect us from pain or to help us function in difficult circumstances.

In IFS, there are three main types of parts:

  • Exiles: These are parts that carry burdens like pain, shame, fear, or trauma. They are often hidden away because they are too overwhelming.

  • Managers: These parts work to keep us organized, safe, and in control to prevent the exiles' pain from surfacing.

  • Firefighters: These parts act impulsively to distract us when exiles' emotions do break through, sometimes through behaviors like overeating, substance use, or anger outbursts.

At the center of the system is the Self, which is calm, compassionate, and wise. In IFS therapy, the goal is to help clients connect with their Self so they can understand, heal, and lead their internal parts with kindness and balance. Rather than trying to get rid of parts, IFS seeks to help them unburden their pain and transform into healthier roles.

IFS is effective to treat trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, and other emotional difficulties. It emphasizes self-compassion, internal harmony, and healing from within.

Anchored Relational Model

Anchored Relational Model formerly known as Adaptive Internal Relational (AIR) Network Model, is a type of parts therapy that helps treat complex trauma, early attachment wounds, and dissociation. It integrates concepts from parts work, EMDR therapy, and structural dissociation theory to help clients heal from deeply rooted emotional injuries.

At its core the anchored relational model is oriented towards giving people the freedom to fully engage with themselves and in relationship with others. It believes that a person's inner world is made up of different parts or self-states, often formed through early relational experiences with caregivers. When there is trauma—especially during childhood—these parts can become fragmented or frozen in time. Some parts carry fear, pain, or shame (often very young or vulnerable parts), while other parts develop defenses like perfectionism, anger, or emotional shutdown to cope and survive.

The goal of the Anchored Relational Therapy is to:

  • Identify and map out the internal system of parts in a way that is organized and compassionate.

  • Repair internal relational dynamics—meaning helping the different parts of the self-reconnect, communicate, and support each other, rather than remaining isolated or at odds.

  • Strengthen the most resourced self to be a wise, nurturing leader who can manage and care for the more vulnerable or reactive parts.

  • Stabilize first: Before any trauma memories are processed, it is critical to build safety, emotional regulation, and internal trust. Only when the internal system is stable enough can deeper trauma work begin.

How it connects to EMDR

The Anchored Relational Model often integrates EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) but modifies it for complex trauma and dissociation. In traditional EMDR, traumatic memories are targeted directly. However, for clients with early developmental trauma or dissociation, direct processing can overwhelm the system.

The Anchored Relational Model uses modified EMDR protocols:

  • It might involve resource-building first, such as strengthening a sense of safety or visualizing supportive figures.

  • Therapists may use "fractionated processing," meaning touching on traumatic memories very gently and gradually.

  • Setting up internal placement of all parts and ensuring the most resourced Self is present prior to reprocessing trauma.

  • Bilateral stimulation (like tapping or eye movements) is often used at a slower pace and with careful attention to each part’s needs and tolerance.

How it connects to structural dissociation theory:

Anchored Relational Model is strongly influenced by the theory of structural dissociation, which says that trauma can split the personality into different parts:

  • Apparently Normal Parts (ANPs) handle daily life and avoid trauma reminders.

  • Emotional Parts (EPs) are stuck in the trauma and may carry fear, rage, shame, or grief.

The Anchored Relational Model helps clients understand these splits and gradually integrate these parts into a more cohesive, cooperative whole.

In summary, Anchored Relational Model is a trauma-informed, parts-based therapy that carefully combines stabilization, relational repair, and trauma processing, using tools like EMDR, to heal deep wounds while avoiding re-traumatization. It can be especially helpful for people with complex PTSD, dissociative symptoms, or early attachment trauma.