As we considered in the last post of this series, we have vulnerable and protective parts of us that can play different roles in relational dynamics and relational conflict we get stuck in. This is a space where parts-work is not only incredibly helpful for us to navigate internal conflict, but also external conflict! If… Continue reading People & Parts: Where We Get Stuck
Category: Posts
People & Parts: The Pieces at Play
Author’s Note: While this post often refers to romantic relationships, it is applicable to any kind of platonic or familial relationship as well. Ever notice that it’s often in relationships that we can get frustrated with how we aren’t able to live out the spiritual disciplines we long to embody? The recipe of one broken… Continue reading People & Parts: The Pieces at Play
What do we do with self-compassion?
We live in a time when self-help, self-compassion, and self-care are embraced and encouraged in many Christian spaces – whether it’s defended in a podcast, suggested in a Christian therapy office, or championed between friends in small group together – the previous hesitancy to adopt self-focused compassion and care by Christians is quickly fading. Rather… Continue reading What do we do with self-compassion?
Perspective II: Wicked or Wounded?
If someone wants to push back on seeing human beings in a positive light, there are a handful of verses they might quote from that pack a punch. A while back, I was talking about using a parts-based approach in Christian therapy with a fellow Christian counselor. She said something something like, “I really like… Continue reading Perspective II: Wicked or Wounded?
Perspective I: Hermeneutics of Translation
I didn’t know what the word hermeneutic meant until I was in my late twenties. I started to hear the word thrown around in my graduate coursework with ancient languages, and gathered that it had something to do with interpretation. I had nerd-ed my way into a small group of students that wanted to pursue… Continue reading Perspective I: Hermeneutics of Translation
Translation II: From the Depths of Our Souls
There are many ways we could try to explore the depths of us that require some sort of translation process — the process of trying to connect with felt experiences that go beyond words (See Translation I for what I mean by “translation”). Some of my favorite access points include… (1) there’s the way of… Continue reading Translation II: From the Depths of Our Souls
The Depths of our Souls & Faith: I
If you enjoy podcasts or books that dip into the therapy world, you’ve probably heard of this thing called “parts-work,” or IFS. Most people are specifically familiar with IFS, which stands for Internal Family Systems theory. In short, this approach understands people to have “parts” of self that altogether comprise their internal world. These parts… Continue reading The Depths of our Souls & Faith: I
Translation I
Something a bit ironic here is that I’m trying to connect with the parts of us that feel deeply, the parts of us that are beyond words — and I’m writing about that on a blog with words… I didn’t know until I was in my thirties that there are parts of our brain that… Continue reading Translation I
Polyvagal Theory III
This is the last of three introductory posts that talk about what Polyvagal Theory is. For a head-knowledge overview, see Polyvagal Theory I. For a little more of a heart-perspective with personal examples, see Polyvagal Theory II. With a fuller picture of Polyvagal Theory from these first three posts, we’ll start to explore ways we… Continue reading Polyvagal Theory III
Polyvagal Theory II
Do you ever long for your heart to feel more grounded and safe in different relationships and circumstances? Wanting to find constructive ways to self protect rather than having your heart shut down or drive you to run away without consulting the rest of you? What we feel matters, and it certainly impacts how we… Continue reading Polyvagal Theory II