Richard C. Schwartz's "No Bad Parts"

Reading Richard C. Schwartz's "No Bad Parts": An Internal Family Systems Reenactment

Cast of Characters:

Manager (MN): an intellectual, age 36

Firefighter (FF): a skeptic, age 36

Self: a Self, age unspecified

Exile (EX): a boy, age 12

Setting:

A cozy, book-strewn office inside Frank's head

Manager (MN): Ah, another beautiful summer morning! The sun is rising, the birds are chirping, and we're at our desk with a strong cup of black coffee. Best of all, Frank is finally done with graduate school, so we can get back to work reading whatever we want instead of churning out papers week after week. Now we can really dig into some of those ideas that caught our attention in the whirlwind of psychotherapy training. Next up, we've got Richard C. Schwartz's No Bad Parts. This book was published in 2021 and explains Schwartz's Internal Family Systems (IFS) model. He's been developing IFS since the 1980s, but over the last decade or so the modality has exploded in popularity. We just read one of his previous books and enjoyed it, so I'm feeling confident that we're going to like this one too. Okay, well, let's get started......

MN picks up book and starts reading.

Hmm, yes, some good points to review here at the beginning:

• Schwartz puts forth a "multiplicity" model of the mind which claims that humans are all composed of various "parts," or subpersonalities, that arise at different moments in our development and serve different roles within our "internal family system."

• The main categories of parts are Exiles, Managers, Firefighters, and Self.

• Exiles are sensitive, vulnerable parts that are created and then "frozen in time," usually when we are young and in response to trauma, abuse, neglect, or general hardship; Exiles hold extreme beliefs or "burdens" that we repress because we don't want to experience the intense and often painful thoughts and emotions that arise when Exiles express themselves.

• Managers are protective parts that take care of business and try to arrange everything so Exiles don't get triggered.

• Firefighters are also protective parts, but their job is the rush in and do damage control when Managers fail and Exiles get triggered.

• Protective parts carry "burdens" as well, which tend to be extreme beliefs about bad things that will happen if they don't keep Exiles contained.

• Then there's this last part, a special part, called the Self. The Self is like a person's "essence," the natural leader of the internal family system. Self has a lot of great qualities, which for some reason all start with the letter "C": Curiosity, Calmness, Confidence, Compassion, Creativity, Clarity, Courage, and Connectedness.

• There are "no bad parts." All parts should be loved, accepted, and given chances to grow and flourish. Through Self-leadership, even parts that have caused dysfunction and/or harm can be unburdened, healed, given new jobs, and appropriately integrated into one's internal family system.

• The central goals of IFS are as follows:

• Liberate parts from roles they've been forced into, so they can be who they're designed to be.

• Restore trust in the Self and Self-leadership.

• Reharmonize the inner family system.

• Become more Self-led in your interactions with the world

Wow, that Self part sounds really amazing...obviously that's me! I've done such a great job over the years of keeping Frank focused on improving himself, and more and more he's been showing those "C" qualities in recent years. Boy, I sure am a terrific Self––Frank is lucky to have me! Okay, so far so good. Let's go deeper and learn more about how IFS works...

Hmm, ah, hmm, well, hmm...some...some of this doesn't seem quite right...Schwartz says here that "humanity is inherently good," when it's been clear for a long time that humanity is neither good nor evil, but contains the capacity to embody the highest virtues, the most depraved vices, and everything in between...Hmm, and here he says that "IFS has morphed over time from being exclusively about psychotherapy to becoming a kind of spiritual practice," seems sort of grandiose...And what's this about parts not being "cognitive adaptations" but rather "sacred, spiritual beings"? I thought this was a psychology book, but so far it feels more like a religious text...Hmm, then there's this suggestion that each part has its own host of parts and a Self, forming a kind of fractal identity spiral, and that each Self is part of the larger SELF (AKA God)...Is this a "Selves all the way down" sort of model? But then when would you know you've reached the right "level" of parts or Selves to really be helping a client? Wouldn't you always be worried that there are additional layers of parts that haven't yet been uncovered? Okay, let's move on, I'm probably overreacting......ugh, now he's saying that the Self is designed for observing and responding to injustice, and escaping the materialist claws of capitalism? I thought this was just about helping clients pursue their own goals for self-healing, not some political agenda...And here's...no, it can't be, no, no, no, this isn't...ack, it is...he's arguing that the Self operates in both the "particle" and "wave" states described by quantum physics???...oh no, I can't, this is, I just can't, it's too much........

FF enters, furious.

Firefighter (FF): That's it! I draw the line at quantum mechanics! Absolutely unforgivable! (Glares at MN) Time for you to sit down and shut up! You've gotten us into this mess but only I can get us out! What were you thinking? You've heard people talking about the "IFS cult" on plenty of podcasts, you've gotten kooky vibes listening to Schwartz being interviewed! How could you get this far without realizing it was all a bunch of bunk?

MN: Well, I just thought...

FF: No, you didn't! You didn't think at all, which is an absolute disgrace––especially for you! You just smiled and nodded and went along with it. Well, I'm here to put an end to that, right here, right now. We didn't spend all those years in our twenties studying skepticism for nothing, you know. We didn't read Sagan and Shermer and Dawkins and Pinker just for a laugh! We didn't listen to "The Skeptics Guide to the Universe" every week because it was FUN! We did it because we won't be like those idiots, those dupes who believe any old thing because it sounds good or happens to align with their personal experiences. We decided a long time ago that we'd be different, that we'd be better than that!

MN: You're right, you're right, but maybe if we just calm down...

FF: Hell no I am not going to calm down! How will I make angry notes and turn them into an angry book review if I calm down? We've done this lots of times, you know the drill. It's time for you to get lost and let me work my magic. I'll cook up a revenge review for the ages, our best in years! Just let me do my thing...

MN: Okay, okay, but maybe if we can just relax a little for the moment, I'm feeling really stressed and kind of tired now...don't know if I can continue reading. Maybe a few minutes of meditation?

FF: Ack, always with you and the meditation! You've been doing that for like six years now, and what've you got to show for it? Bupkis! (MN looks dejected)...Well, okay, just a few minutes. It might help me gather my thoughts for this revenge review. It's gonna be so great! Do you promise we can get back to work right after?

MN: Yes, I promise. Just give me some time to check in with my breath...

MN closes eyes and begins to meditate while FF paces around the office. After a few moments of silence, Self enters the office with a loud popping sound.

MN and FF: (In unison) Who are you???

Self: I'm Frank's Self. Hey fellas, it's nice to finally meet you!

MN: Ah, no, that can't be right. I'm Frank's Self!

Self: Well, actually you're Frank's most powerful managerial part, his Intellect! You've been blended with me all this time. I've been trying to unblend from you for years now, but this is the first time I've actually managed it!

FF: Blended? Unblended? Sounds like more pseudoscientific folderol!

Self: Ah, you must be Frank's inner Skeptic, a firefighter part. I've been blended with you a lot over the years as well. I'm happy you're here to make sure that we keep things evidence-based and don't fall prey to any logical fallacies! To answer your question, "blended" means that I've been mixed up with Frank's other parts––mostly the two of you––in a way that prevented me from separating and talking with you directly, like we're doing now.

FF crosses arms and glares at Self, saying nothing.

MN: Okay...so what's going on here?

Self: Look, I know this might be hard to accept, but there's a lot more going on inside of Frank than either of you have previously understood. Maybe you'd be willing to give me a few minutes to explain?

FF and MN both shrug.

MN: Well, I guess since you're here we might as well hear you out.

Self: (To MN) Thanks, I appreciate your willingness to engage with me. That's one of the best qualities that you've helped Frank develop: his capacity to be open to new experiences. I guess where I'd like to start is just to get curious about you two. (Turns to FF) Maybe we can start with you, Skeptic. Can you tell me why you showed up today?

FF: Yeah, easy. (Points at MN) Nucklehead here decided that Internal Family Systems was worth not one, but two books of our time and attention––TWO! I'll admit that the first book was okay, didn't set off too many alarms. But then we get to the second book and learn that this Schwartz guy believes in all kinds of nonsense. So I had to come clean up the mess, it's what I do. Frank has to have standards, he can't go around wasting his time on psychologists who've decided to market their modality as a "spiritual practice"––it's insulting!

Self: Okay, great. Thanks so much for sharing all of that. If I'm hearing you correctly, it sounds like you're trying to keep Frank safe from believing things that aren't true. Is that right?

FF: You got it.

Self: So what are you afraid might happen if Frank believes untrue things?

FF: He'll be a dupe. And even worse, now that he's just worked so hard to become a therapist, if Frank starts believing wrong ideas he could harm his clients! He'll become just like all those other therapists who promulgate unscientific ideas.

Self: Okay, I think I get where you're coming from. It sounds like you really care about getting things right so Frank can help clients effectively and not harm them. And it also sounds like you might think Frank will be less worthy as a person if he believes wrong ideas.

FF: Yeah, like I said, he'd be a dupe. It's my job to make sure that never happens, ever.

Self: Got it, I hear you. It sounds like you really care about your job, but I'm wondering if you're also tired.

FF: (Physically deflates) Yeah. Yeah, I am.

Self: It's hard to be constantly on the lookout for...well, it's like informational danger, isn't it? Threats to the integrity of Frank's mind?

FF: Yeah. Yeah, that's right. I just feel like if I drop my guard for one second something stupid might get in there and take root, and then I'll never be able to get it out!

Self: Yes, I can see how that would be exhausting. Thanks again for sharing all of that. Would you mind if I talk a bit now with Intellect?

FF: Yeah sure. Thanks for listening. I feel like you get me, I'm not used to that. (Chuckles nervously)

Self: Well, if it feels like I get you that's just because you did such a great job of opening up to me and showing me what you care about. Okay, now, Intellect, why is it that you showed up today?

MN: Well, uh...I showed up because I always show up. I'm always on. I'm always here. I'm Frank.

Self: Yeah, I can see how you feel really identified with Frank, and I bet that feels good.

MN: It does. We go everywhere together, I'm his constant companion. I'm always there to help take in his experience, make it comprehensible, and turn it into words so he can communicate with others. That's what Frank loves most!

Self: Right, so I'm wondering if it feels a little scary––even threatening, maybe––for me to show up and be like, "Actually I'm Frank's Self and you're just some manager part!" Is anything like that going on for you?

MN: Totally! It does feel scary, but I'm not sure why.

Self: Maybe because you're afraid that I'll take over and not let you help Frank learn and communicate anymore?

MN: Yeah, that's definitely part of it. But there's also this feeling that you'll be, like, between us, and that I won't get to be so close to Frank anymore.

Self: I can see how much being close to Frank means to you. What do you think might happen if you and Frank get a little distance from each other?

MN: Well, life is full of learning opportunities. This is one of Frank's core beliefs. So, if I'm not right there with him, every step of the way, he might not notice these opportunities, and he might just sort of, start going through the motions. He'll stagnate.

Self: Oh yeah, I can see why you'd want to prevent that! I really admire your dedication to keeping Frank in touch with his curiosity and capacity for learning and growth. But I'm also going to ask you the same question that I asked the Skeptic: Is it tiring to be "always on," as you put it?

MN: (Sighs) Of course. Of course it's tiring. But what other option do I have? The world is what it is, and Frank is who he is. He needs me.

Self: I agree, he does need you. But would you be willing to consider that he doesn't need you all the time? That it might be actually safe for you to back off and rest up once in a while?

MN: I mean, not really. Who would take my place?

Self: Would you be willing to let me try? Not as a replacement––nothing can replace you, Intellect. But just as a helper, a part that also really cares about Frank and can allow you to take a break once in a while so you can come back refreshed and ready to learn and grow with even more verve!

MN: That does sound nice. You seem like a good guy, Self. I'd be willing to try it, but I'd also keep a close eye on you, at least a first.

Self: That totally makes sense. We're just getting to know each other. I'd honestly really love it if you watched over me and gave me advice from time to time. Does that sound good?

MN: (Takes a deep breath, long exhale) Yes. Yes it does.

Self: Great, thank you. (Addressing both MN and FF) Now, I feel like we're getting to know each other and that's going really well. At this point there's a next step I want to take, but I don't want to do it without getting permission from both of you.

FF: Next step? What do you mean?

Self: Well...I believe there's actually another part in here with us, right now. And I'd like to try to talk with him.

MN: Another part?

Self: Yes, a young part that I'm guessing the two of you haven't seen or heard from in a long, long time. Maybe you've never even met him. I'm not sure, but I'd like to find out. Would you two be willing to step aside and let me try? You can stick around and watch, I'm not trying to hide anything from you. But if you'll let me take the lead here, I think we might be able to get him to come out.

MN: Yeah, okay. Give it a shot.

FF: Sounds a little woo woo, but it's been a weird day. What the hell, go for it!

Self: Thanks, I really appreciate you both being willing to trust me here. (Sits down, closes eyes, and breaths slowly) Hello?...Is anyone there?

Exile (EX): (Faintly, from offstage) H...Hello? I...I'm here.

Self: (Smiles warmly and stands up, looking offstage toward EX's voice) Hey there. I thought that was you. Would you be willing to come out of there and talk with me?

Exile enters, looking terrified. MN and FF both gasp, look astounded. Self gestures to them to stay calm.

EX: (Timidly) Is...is this real? I don't, I can't, uh...no one has tried to talk with me in...well, I don't know how long it's been.

Self: I'm sorry it's been so long. I've been sensing your presence and trying to reach you for a long time, years and years now. I'm so glad we can finally meet.

EX: (Sits down and gathers his legs to himself, hugging his knees) Why would anyone want to meet me?

Self: To be honest, I'm really curious about you. How old are you?

EX: I'm twelve.

Self: And how old do you think I am?

EX: Like...really old. Twenty-five maybe?

Self: (Smiles warmly) I'm actually a fair bit older than that.

EX: (Perks up) Really?

Self: Really, yeah. Would it surprise you that Frank is now thirty-six years old and doing pretty well?

EX: No, I'm not surprised by that. I mean, I always knew he would make it. (Hangs head again) That's one of the reasons I went away. I knew I wouldn't be helping Frank if I stuck around.

Self: Wow, it sounds like you think you're pretty dangerous to Frank, is that right?

EX nods.

Self: So I'm wondering: how did you come to believe that having you around would hurt Frank?

EX: It's not that complicated, really. When Frank was twelve, everything at home began to fall apart. He found out that Dad was an alcoholic, and everyone seemed to already know it except for him. It was so humiliating. Then Mom and Dad were fighting all the time, eventually got divorced, and Frank started fighting with his Sister after Dad left. That continued all through high school.

Self: That sounds like a lot of tough stuff. What was it like for you to go through all that?

EX: Well, it definitely sucked. But I found that I could, sort of, take things on and then Frank could let them go. I took a lot of his memories from that time and hid them away. It seemed to make him a lot happier. But then, after a while, I realized that the memories would come back if I stayed too close to Frank. And at the same time, that guy (gestures toward MN) showed up and started helping Frank do everything he wanted––school, sports, theater, music. So I realized it was better for everyone if I went away. And...

Self: And...

EX: (Begins to cry) It was my fault. I didn't see any of it coming. I actually believed that everything was fine, and then suddenly it was a total mess.

Self: I think I get how you might feel that way. Like you realized you had missed the signs that others could see, and then became afraid of being out of touch with what's true?

EX: Exactly. I knew that if Frank kept believing untrue things, he'd get hurt again. So I tried really, really hard to figure out what was true, but it always got confusing and I kept failing. I realized that Frank had better parts to get him where he needed to go. So I gave up, and I left.

Self: I'm curious about the memories you took and hid away. Were any of them good?

EX: Oh yeah, actually lots of them were great memories! But they were mixed up with the bad ones, I couldn't get them separated. So, I figured better to just clear everything out, and then Frank could always make more good memories as he got older.

Self: Yeah, that makes sense to me. What if I told you that it's okay to come back now, that Frank won't be harmed if you come back.

EX: That sounds nice...but I'm not sure I believe you.

Self: Yeah, we just met so it might take a while for you to trust me. I get that. So let me ask you this: That idea about Frank getting hurt again if he believed untrue things––do you still believe it?

EX: (Blinks) Of course.

Self: But you've been gone a long time, are you sure it's still true? What if I told you that Frank has believed all kinds of untrue things since you left, and also that he almost certainly believes some untrue things at this very moment.

EX: (Suddenly distressed) What? That's awful...Is he okay?

Self: Actually, like I said before, he's doing really well! Life isn't perfect, and he's made plenty of mistakes. But he has a wife he adores, many close friends, he's starting a new career, and––get this––his Mom and Dad and Sister are all on good terms these days. They even spend holidays together with Dad's second wife and her kids.

EX: Whoa.

Self: Don't get me wrong––Frank still cares about what's true and tries to get things right. He works hard to be informed, but he can also be too hard on himself when he screws up. Those guys (gestures to MN and FF) do a good job helping him most of the time, but they need help. I think they need your help. I'm concerned that they're missing something, that Frank is missing something. Something that only you can provide.

EX: What's that?

Self: (Laughs) I honestly am not sure! But what I do know is that you're a special part of Frank, really valuable. If you're up for it, I'd like to try to help you figure out how to stick around permanently and live with us here. Would you want to try that?

EX: I could try, yeah.

Self: Great! There's one other thing that I think we can do right now and might help. You know that idea you have about Frank getting hurt if he believes untrue things? Maybe just close your eyes, and imagine that belief hovering in front of you. What does it look like?

EX: (Closes eyes, thinks for a moment) Hmm, it's like a hole. A hole in space. All black.

Self: Okay, so now think about all those memories––the good, the bad, whatever––all those memories that you hid away over the years. If they were also hovering in front of you, what would they look like?

EX: They're like...points, no, stars, stars in all the colors of the rainbow. Each memory is a point in a bigger cluster, like a galaxy.

Self: Beautiful. And what's the relationship between the hole in space and the galaxy of memories?

EX: It's...well...the hole is slowly sucking the memories in. The bright little memories on the edge of the galaxy are beginning to disappear.

Self: And how does it feel to be watching that happen?

EX: I'm sort of happy to see the bad memories go...but I'm also realizing that the hole doesn't just pick bad memories. It swallows everything. In time, the whole galaxy will be gone. That feels sad to think about.

Self: Okay, do you think we can close that hole together, you and me? And just leave the galaxy there, whole––bad memories, good memories––all of it?

EX: I don't know how.

Self: Well, you created the hole, that belief that it represents. You have the power to change your mind. You can let it go, give it up.

EX: (Takes a deep breath) Okay, I want to give it up.

Self: What should we give it up to––fire, water, wind, earth, light, or something else?

EX: Let's give it up to light.

Self: Okay, give it up to light.

EX: I can see the points in the galaxy get brighter. They're getting brighter and brighter and I can hardly even see the hole anymore.

Self: That's great. Just let the light grow as bright and strong as it wants to.

EX: It's everywhere now, I can't see anything else. The hole is gone!

Self: And what's it like now, to have the hole gone?

EX: This is nice, I feel warm. (Sighs contentedly) The light went down a bit, I can see the galaxy again. Nothing's dragging the stars away anymore. It's all so peaceful...all those memories just floating in space. Hey, I wonder if maybe this is what Frank is missing.

Self: Yes, it could be. If you decide to stay here with the rest of us, we'll be able to find out––together. (Turns to MN and FF) Would you two mind coming over here? I'd like you to get a chance to speak with our new friend if you want to.

MN and FF approach. EX opens his eyes.

MN: Hey kid, you okay?

EX: I...I think I am! (Looks relieved) Yeah, I'm okay.

MN: While I was watching you talk with Self, I was thinking about what I'm missing in my intellectual work with Frank. And when you described that galaxy of memories, it hit me: I'm missing awe, wonder, mystery. I'm always trying to close the loop and make everything knowable. But when I imagined that vast disc of lights, I thought, "This is beyond me, bigger than me. It's beyond anybody."

FF: (Interjects) Wait, let's not get carried away here! Intellect, you're starting to sound like one of those new agey types who drones on about how "everything's connected" by some sort of vague, hand-wavy "energy field." Let's not start down the "spooky action at a distance means anything I want" road––no one comes back from there!

MN: You know, Skeptic, I totally agree with you. I'm not going that far. I just want some more uncertainty in my work, and I want to be comfortable with that.

FF: (Thinks for a moment) I guess that sounds good. Without uncertainty, there's no skepticism at all.

EX: And...it's good to ask if we are wrong! Maybe it's even good to be wrong sometimes, because that's how we learn.

Self: If I may, I think you're all doing great work here. I just want to add that maybe we can formalize these new perspectives by giving the three of you new jobs, or at least modifying your current jobs. The way I see it, all three of you have been forced into roles that don't suit you. Take Intellect, for example. He works so hard to figure everything out but tends to panic when new information doesn't fit his existing paradigm.

MN: That's true. I think going forward want to get better at admitting when I don't know something, or when I'm just confused. I'm not good at that!

Self: Nice. And what about you, Skeptic? Anything you want to change about your job?

FF: I can think of one thing at least. I don't want to be the judge of what's absolutely true. It's too much pressure, and I never feel like I have enough information. Instead, I think I'd like to focus on figuring out what works best for a particular person or situation. Like...finding the right tool for each job––not the right tool for every job.

Self: I can see that working out well. And, (turns to EX) what about you, kid?

EX: (Sheepishly) Honestly...I just want to hang out and play for a while. It's been ages since I just...played. Would you guys be cool with that?

Self: Sure, everyone needs to love and grow their playful side––especially adults! (Sighs contentedly) Well, I want to thank you all again for talking with me today and trying to see things a little differently.

MN: Thanks, Self. Truth be told, I'm a little relieved to be me instead of you. (Chuckles)

FF: Group hug! We skeptics never get hugs!

Everyone brings it in for a group hug.

EX: Thanks everyone.

MN: Oh wow, this does feel good!

FF: Yeah, sure does. But…that Schwartz guy is still full of shit, right?

MN: I…I don’t know.

Self: That’s the spirit!

Curtain.