What's On Our Bookshelf? "No Bad Parts" by Richard C. Schwartz
Written by Keeley Doyle, CSW
Do you ever wonder what books therapists keep on their bookshelves and recommend to their clients? This month Keeley Doyle, CSW shares her thoughts on a book that has shaped both her own worldview and the way she helps her clients.
Book: No Bad Parts
Author: Richard C. Schwartz, Ph.D.
Do you ever feel like there are parts of you that would just disappear? Thinking or behavioral patterns that you’re ashamed of or confused by? You’re not alone!
No Bad Parts is a book about the theory behind the idea that we don't have "monominds", but are multifaceted with different parts that experience different things. It talks about how to recognize those different parts, and what parts may still be frozen in trauma or be burdened by harmful messages. The general idea is that none of our parts are “bad”, but instead misunderstood or mislabeled.
I looooove how this book gives an introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS)/parts work. I think that IFS is such a great therapy modality and that it has made a huge impact on the way that I see my clients, and myself. I have been able to notice what parts come up for me when I'm interacting with different people and have uncovered more of my triggers or messages that I may need to unburden in my life. I love this book and I think that it is revolutionary in the therapy world!
I recommend this book for clients because:
It’s great for trauma work
It has great meditations/exercises
It gives a vulnerable and beautiful perspective that I think that many people can relate to when they think about their emotions and how they may think and feel multiple things at once
““The mono-mind paradigm has caused us to fear our parts and view them as pathological. In our attempts to control what we consider to be disturbing thoughts and emotions, we just end up fighting, ignoring, disciplining, hiding, or feeling ashamed of those impulses that keep us from doing what we want to do in our lives. And then we shame ourselves for not being able to control them. In other words, we hate what gets in our way.””