Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy Bundle (444 pages)

Step 5: Begin the Dialogue

Start the conversation by writing down a question or statement to the part. Use the following template to guide your dialogue:

Self: "Hello [Part's Name], I would like to talk with you today. How are you feeling?" 1. Part: [Response from the part, e.g., "I feel anxious and overwhelmed."] 2. Self: "I understand. Can you tell me more about why you are feeling this way?" 3. Part: [Response from the part, e.g., "I feel like I'm not doing enough, and I'm afraid of failing."] 4. Self: "Thank you for sharing that with me. What can I do to help you feel more supported?" 5.

Step 6: Continue the Conversation

Keep the dialogue going by asking open-ended questions and responding with empathy and curiosity. Here are some prompts to help you continue the conversation:

"What are you trying to protect me from?" "What do you need from me to feel safe?"

"How do you feel about the other parts in our system?" "What would make your role easier or more fulfilling?"

Example Dialogue

Dialogue with the Inner Critic

Self: "Hello Inner Critic, I would like to talk with you today. How are you feeling?"

Inner Critic: "I feel anxious and overwhelmed."