Paul said, “The body is not made up of one part but of many” (1 Corinthians 12:14). What’s true of the body is true of the soul also, given that God is the Creator of both. So, based on this verse, we can say that the soul is made up of many parts.Think of parts as aspects of yourself—like, for instance, how you are around your parents, which is different than the version of you that shows up around your BFF, which is probably also different than the version your co-workers recognize at work.IFS, the psychological theory I practice, categorizes parts into three groups: managers, firefighters, and exiles. The first two are called protector parts because they strive to protect us from feeling the emotional pain held by exiles.Too abstract? Then think Inside Out by Pixar. IFS would consider Riley’s major emotions—the ones portrayed in the movie—as her parts.Here’s another example. Maya (a made-up identity) saw me some years ago. Before she entered therapy, she had already spent time getting to know and befriending these important parts.She was already well acquainted with her major protector parts. She knew their locations in her body. She also knew about how these protector parts were related to her exiles. That’s why all I needed to do was help Maya unburden her exiles, which explains why, despite having an extensive trauma history, Maya successfully completed therapy less than a year after she began.Your Own TherapyI wrote this article with the assumption that you’re leaning toward seeing a mental health professional. However, this may not describe your stance. If you’re still deliberating the pros and cons of therapy, I get it. Take the time to read when you should seriously consider therapy.The decision to pursue therapy is a personal one. No family member, professional counselor, or trusted voice can force it upon you. If your motivation to see a therapist is to get so-and-so off your back, you probably won’t get as much out of therapy. So, pray and ask the Lord if being in therapy is what you need in this season of your life.May God’s peace guard your heart and mind (Philippians 4:7) as you decide.Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/KatarzynaBialasiewicz
Dr. Audrey Davidheiser is a licensed psychologist in California, certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist, and IFSI-approved clinical consultant. After founding a counseling center for the Los Angeles Dream Center, she now provides IFS therapy for trauma survivors, including those with religious trauma, and assists in IFS trainings. She has been a regular writer for Crosswalk.com and a columnist for iBelieve.com. Her book on how IFS helps the grieving process, Grieving Wholeheartedly, will be published by InterVarsity Press in July 2025.
