When most people think about therapy, they imagine talking through thoughts or emotions — but what about the deeper movements of the body and soul? Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, when viewed through the lens of Catholic spirituality, helps reveal how healing begins when Christ brings unity to every part of who we are: body, mind, and soul.
Understanding Our Inner “Parts”
IFS starts with the idea that within each of us are many “parts” — different aspects of our inner world that carry emotions, memories, and protective roles. Some parts are wounded, others are protectors, and all of them, at their core, want to help us survive. In stressful moments, these parts often react in different ways — one may try to take control, another may shut down, another may panic. Healing begins when we stop fighting these parts and instead meet them with curiosity and compassion, like a loving parent tending to a frightened child.
The Core Self — the Christlike Center
Beneath the swirl of emotions and inner conflicts lies something deeper: what IFS calls the core self — the calm, grounded, compassionate center of our being. This self reflects the image of God within us and becomes most alive when united with Christ. From this center, we can begin guiding our inner parts toward peace and harmony. When Christ leads from within, we no longer live at the mercy of fear or reactivity. Instead, grace becomes the driver — restoring balance and gentleness to how we move through the world.
The Body’s Role in Healing
Our bodies often reveal what our minds try to hide. Anxiety might appear as tightness in the chest, grief as heaviness in the stomach, anger as heat in the face. These sensations are not enemies; they are messages. Learning to notice what’s happening in the body — and responding with breath, prayer, and stillness — helps to calm the nervous system and reconnect body and soul. God designed us not to live in chronic stress but in a state of peace and connection. The body becomes the trailhead that leads us back to that sacred center.
Co-Regulation and Relationship
Healing is never meant to happen in isolation. Our nervous systems are designed for relationship — to be soothed and strengthened by safe, grounded connections. Spending time with peaceful people, or simply imagining the calm and loving presence of Christ or Mary, can help bring stability to an overwhelmed heart. Even science supports what faith has always known: love heals. When we allow ourselves to be comforted — by God, by community, or by those who truly see us — we begin to regulate, to breathe again, to rest.
The Hero’s Journey Within
Entering our inner world can feel daunting, but it is a sacred journey of redemption. Like Dante descending into the depths before reaching paradise, we, too, face the parts of ourselves burdened by pain, sin, or fear. With courage and grace, we can walk through those inner shadows, bringing God’s light into the places that need it most. Every part of us, when seen through Christ’s eyes, has a good purpose waiting to be restored.
Preaching the Gospel to Our Inner World
Inner work becomes a form of evangelization — bringing the Good News to every hidden corner of the heart. The same Gospel that calls us to love our neighbor also calls us to love the parts of ourselves that have been rejected or silenced. Through compassion and prayer, we begin to live the great commandment fully: to love God, others, and ourselves in the same divine flow of love.
Investing in Healing
Therapy and spiritual direction are not indulgences — they are acts of stewardship. Healing within ourselves ripples outward into our families, our friendships, and even future generations. Each small step — greeting an anxious part with patience, noticing our breath, praying through discomfort — can shift the entire system of our lives. Who knows how good life could become if we each committed to this inner transformation?
Practical Ways to Begin
Here are some ways to start practicing this integrated approach:
- Listen to your body. Notice sensations without judgment. They often hold clues to deeper emotions.
- Breathe deeply. Slow, intentional breathing helps regulate the nervous system.
- Pray imaginatively. Picture Christ or Mary beside you; allow their peace to calm your heart.
- Seek grounded relationships. Spend time with people who help you feel safe and steady.
- Invite Christ into every part. Let Him lead even in the areas that feel chaotic or unworthy.
Christ Himself shows what full integration looks like — a perfect union of emotion, body, and divine will. His anger was measured, His sorrow honest, His peace unwavering. In Him, we see what it means to be whole.
Closing Reflection
Parts work through the lens of Catholic faith is not simply about self-awareness — it’s about communion. Healing the parts within us mirrors the way Christ heals His Body, the Church. When we become more whole, we become more loving, peaceful, and present.
“Be still and know that I am God.”
In that stillness, we may find that every part of us has been longing, all along, to rest in Him.
Check out our podcast episode on this topic: https://youtu.be/mT-SmOxzWAY
To schedule an appointment with Adam Cross LMFT #116623 please call (805) 428-3755, email amc.cross7@gmail.com, or visit the contact page at adamcrossmft.com/contact
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