We All Have Parts: An Illustrated Guide to Healing Trauma with Internal Family Systems

by Colleen West, Steven Gong (Illustrator)

An short illustrated guide for survivors of childhood trauma and neglect, to help them get started in trauma work immediately. It will orient you to your inner system of sub-personalities or parts, with simple language and lots of illustrations. Includes: Window of tolerance, autonomic defenses, flashbacks, a simple and practical description of dissociation, parts mapping, and more. Designed for people doing Internal Family Systems, Structural Dissociation, Somatic Experiencing, Sensorimotor, EMDR & Ego State Therapy.
-40 pages, full color, 8" by 10", lots of pictures
-Psychoeducation for symptoms of Complex PTSD
-Soothing for overwhelming feelings between sessions
-For adults and adolescents
Colleen West, a psychotherapist, consultant, trainer, and trauma-survivor herself, has stuffed a ton of psychoeducation and reassuring guidance into these 40 pages.
What colleagues are saying about We All Have Parts!
'Colleen West has given us a gift. This little book paints a tender, evocative, and yet very clear picture of exactly how trauma impacts our beings. Equally vital, it provides an accessible, understandable, and wonderfully illustrated map for healing.'--Patricia L. Papernow, author of Surviving and Thriving in Stepfamily Relationships.

'Colleen has provided a wonderful Internal Family Systems resource for both client and practitioner. A practical, elegant, and straightforward way of helping us be with our parts. We All Have Parts is a true gem!'--Michelle Glass, CIFSP, author of Daily Parts Meditation Practice: A Journey of Embodied Integration for Clients and Therapists

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Mental Health, Psychology

Kindle Edition

Published September 6, 2021

Reviews

[Jennifer nyc]

Such a cute, fast way to get the basics of this work!

[Megan]

This is a fabulous resource all therapists should have!

[Carrie Poppy]

I didn’t find this useful, scientific, or robust in its worldview.

[Breanna Ratigan]

I really liked how simple and helpful this book was in explaining parts work! I think it’ll be really helpful to use with clients

[Rachel]

My therapist suggested I read this book. It was fascinating and so insightful. I want to read it again and take notes this time. Can’t wait to discuss it with him.

[KL]

A really thoughtful and quick read on the nuances of childhood trauma, and how to heal from it.

[Lyda]

A simple yet informative book on how to tend to all parts of yourself. First read was good. Now, going back to start working on tending on my parts, one at a time :)

[Tanya Shearin]

We All Have Parts by Colleen West is an "illustrated guide to healing trauma with Internal Family Systems." In this short book (37 pages), Colleen West, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, attempts to explain the Internal Family System in easy to understand terms. For the most part, she achieved her goal although someone new to IFS may need to read through two or more times just to really get the whole picture and understand some of the new terminology / concepts presented. I, for one, did not care for what I considered a new age approach. Self-energy (or just Self) is the core of the person who makes them who they really are and is described as "a point of light at your core." In Christian theology, we might call this the Soul. In Buddhism, it is called the "Buddha nature." Thus the reader must determine what name to give this as he/she works through healing. Beyond Self, we experience "Parts" - that is, emotions/behaviors that arise to protect Self from trauma. These parts are given general names (Protectors and Exiles) and are broken down further to provide better names for their different roles. Whereas I absolutely loved all of the colorful pictures throughout, I couldn't personally wrap my brain around the personification of these Parts. I understand why West did this (to help the reader visualize and grasp the concepts, no doubt), but it seemed hokey and kind of hippy-trippy because once we understand the roles of the different Parts, we must "welcome all parts who wish to come to a safe, neutral place" and in essence talk to them to understand what they are trying to protect and encourage the part to come out into the open. So, in the end, the book does what it set out to do, but it is a bit more "out there" for me personally. I think there is a better way to get the information across that is more accurate and less hippy-trippy.

[Faye T]

Just okah

This wasn't very thorough even for a manual there needed to be a bit more explanation. It was missing so much it seemed sloppy or like a very rough first draft that was never looked over for content. I'm surprised it was published honestly; there are major gaffes. One is that there are 8 C's of Self and page that gives the most brief non-explanatuon ever, only lists 7! I found even the font to be off-putting, like a high schooler threw this PowerPoint presentation together last minute for a project they'd forgotten about. What interested me in the book was the illustration; if the writing could be more comprehensive - even if brief - this could be a really excellent tool to introduce parts work.

[Ma'Sheka Thomas]

I recently read "We All Have Parts!" in under an hour, and I must say, I would recommend it to many people. This book provided a lot of valuable insights and gave me much to ponder. It helped clarify various concepts with well-categorized examples, and I particularly appreciated the images. They were well-done and enhanced my understanding of the messages.

I gave the book 4 stars because, while it was excellent, it felt like something was missing. Nonetheless, if you're looking to learn more about yourself, your habits, and the symptoms of trauma, this book is a great resource.

[Em]

Very helpful explanation of IFS for a newbie therapist and a client to understand the basics. I loved the window of tolerance explanation and diagram. I also liked the description of autonomic defenses and how we learn how to protect. Also great mapping explanation and overview of how to get to know your parts. I wish it had a little more information to add to IFS just cuz it had such good simple explanations for the impact of trauma and what IFS is that pretty sure they could have done so much more with this book to continue the IFS parts journey.

[Carmen Hernandez]

I was gifted this book by my mentor and friend, Bryan Richardson, and I got it and read it in one day (not a hard feat, it's only 40 pages AND there are pictures). I am sure I will come to this book again and again as I work on my healing journey. I have just really started getting into serious therapy, and I think this book will be a great resource for me to go back to as I start to learn more about myself.

[Jennifer Schellenberg]

Clear and correct!

This book was recommended by our counselor and after reading it, I understand why. It really is the best way of understanding internally conflicts. It's totally worth the cost, even if you're unsure if you struggle with this issue... Someone you know does and it helps! I recommend it to everyone!

[Roots.Branches.Wellness]

THE cutest little IFS book you ever did see! “We All Have Parts” is an illustrated guide to healing trauma with Internal Family Systems. This book is such a great introduction to parts work and using IFS. All the important concepts are explained with helpful illustrations. If you are a fan of parts work you need to check it out.

[Kathy Black]

I found it to be a useful overview of this concept. That being said, it is a little simplistic, so I’m not sure where to go from here. I mean, talk to my therapist is the best next step! Also, I realize it is about childhood trauma, but this could apply to any trauma so I would have liked to see a few more adult examples for some of the illustrations.

[rachel schick]

A quick read that is a great entry point for learning about parts work. I would very much recommend to anyone who is in therapy for dealing with trauma. the illustrations and easy explanations speak somewhat to your inner child, which is so fitting.

[Alicia]

A short and sweet overview of IFS, a helpful perspective to understand the impetus for our reactions and responses after chronic trauma history or single events. The resourcing, categories, and names will be particularly helpful for journaling/self-discovery or discussing with professional care.

[Brittany]

This is an excellent primer on IFS! It’s a quick, accessible read with helpful visuals. I recommend this for anyone just starting their IFS journey, especially those who are visual learners or have short attention spans.

[W Timothy]

Helpful in concrete and measurable ways

I am so grateful for this book. It is my go-to resource for explaining and teaching how to understand and manage complex childhood trauma. Thank you to the authors and illustrator.

[Rachel Ward]

If you’re a visual learner, this helps

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.

[Katie Dedic]

Great book for a quick intro to trauma treatment and IFS. I think it could be a great tool to use when introducing IFS/parts work and expanding further with each part. Would be used best by a clinician who already has a solid understanding of IFS (It is not a manual for IFS).

[Jill Thomas]

Such a well-illustrated and written book to explain internal family systems (IFS) theory in counseling! I use this book for clients of all ages to understand the way their parts work and influence their lives and how they can work on themselves to improve functioning in daily lives.

[Kelli Henderson]

Really easy read to better understand IFS.

[Miriam]

Excellent book to explain Internal Family Systems (parts work)to clients.

[Kim Ballance]

This is a great book written in "Layman's terms" about Internal Family Systems.

[John]

Book #55 in 2022
3 stars

This book had a lot of potential. Still I kinda feel like it was a first draft in laymen’s terms of IFS.

[Lea C.]

Good brief and very basic explainer of IFS and getting to know your parts. I appreciate the cautions to work with a therapist and take it slow when there has been trauma.

[amber]

A short, illustrated introduction to (or review of) Internal Family Systems (IFS). It’s purpose is to bring understanding to the non-clinician and it does this well.

[Amanda Talley]

A nice bird’s eye view of trauma, the impact of attachment, regulation, and introduction to parts work. West provides a frame for the work in a clear way.

[Jordan Brown]

Very helpful. Get this if you are at all interested in IFS. Will be using this with clients.