"As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ."
~ 1 Corinthians 12:12

You were made by our loving God to be an amazing human person - a beautiful integration of mind, body, and soul all working in dynamic harmony. But each of us who are fallen experience dis-integration, and the parts of us don't always exist in cohesive unity. We might think things like "Part of me wants to do this, but part of me doesn't", or "Why does a part of me seem to complicate things that should be simple?", or even "I hate that part of myself." How can we recover a sense of our True Self and move toward greater unity within ourselves?

This Whole Life welcomes guest Louisa Hall to delve into the fascinating world of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. Louisa shares her personal journey of understanding mental health and the significance of integrating different parts within one's internal system. She recounts her experiences with a friend diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the lack of mental health support in some ministry settings, and her own therapy journey. From True Self to Protectors to Exiles, Louisa explains the roles of various parts and the transformative power of IFS. Louisa and Kenna also highlight the crucial alignment between IFS and the Catholic understanding of the human person, while highlighting the importance of self-compassion, understanding, and finding one's true self. With anecdotes and insights, Louisa and Kenna explore the integration process, the impact of IFS on relationships, and the hope and flexibility it offers. Join them as they provide practical steps for you to understand and embrace your own interior world.

Louisa has a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology with an emphasis in experimental psychology from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Currently, Louisa is enrolled as a graduate student at Divine Mercy University seeking to obtain her Master’s in Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She enjoys pondering new ideas and questions, reading books, creating, and spending time in nature. Louisa recognizes that faith, truth, and God’s mercy have influenced her journey of healing.

Episode 29 Show Notes

Chapters:
0:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
13:04: Introducing Internal Family Systems
21:01: Integrating our parts like a jazz band (not multiple personalities)
34:40: How do we recognize our True Self?
41:40: Louisa's reflection & personal example of IFS parts work
53:30: Challenge By Choice

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Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.