Presenting concerns
Summarise the client’s current concerns and changes since previous session, framing within the IFS model and noting relation to internal system of parts. Detail significant life events and their effect on internal system. Document emotional state from both parts and Self perspectives.
Parts work and internal dynamics
For each part identified during the session:
Part name/identifier:
- Role: Identify as protector (manager or firefighter) or exile.
- Presentation: Describe emotional, cognitive, somatic, and behavioral manifestations.
- Function/purpose: Document protective role in client’s system.
- Concerns/fears: Note what part fears would happen without performing its role.
- Burdens: Identify beliefs, emotions, or memories carried by the part.
- Relationship with Self: Document interaction between part and Self, including blending/unblending.
Interventions
- Detail specific IFS techniques applied (parts detection, direct access, unblending, etc.).
- Summarise client’s response to interventions, including engagement and shifts.
- Unburdening and healing work: Describe parts unburdened, nature of burden released, process used, reparative experiences, and changes observed in parts following unburdening or healing work.
Self leadership development
Describe evidence of developing Self leadership capacity, including instances of maintaining Self with activated parts and shifts in ability to relate to parts from Self.
Progress and insights
Summarise progress toward treatment goals using IFS framework, key insights or realisations, shifts in relationship to presenting concerns, and areas where progress is challenged.
Therapeutic relationship
Comment on therapeutic alliance and dynamics observed, noting areas where rapport strengthened or challenges arose.
Between-session plan
Detail homework or practices assigned (check-ins with parts, Self-to-part dialogues, etc.).
Risk assessment
Summarise risk factors such as self-harm or suicidal ideation, and list protective factors and action plans if risk present.
Next steps
Outline preliminary agenda for next session and provide time, day and date of next appointment.
Summary
Provide brief recap of key points in no more than four sentences.
Presenting concerns
Reported increased workplace stress following promotion last month, triggering feelings of inadequacy and anxiety about performance. From an IFS perspective, this activation has intensified manager parts concerned with perfection and an exile carrying shame. Michael described feeling “constantly on edge” when parts are blended but moments of clarity and compassion when able to access Self energy.
Parts work and internal dynamics
Perfectionist Manager:
- Role: Manager protector
- Presentation: Critical internal voice with tension in shoulders and jaw, hypervigilance about potential mistakes, and compulsive checking of work
- Function/Purpose: Ensures high standards to prevent rejection and protect underlying vulnerable parts
- Concerns/Fears: Fears that without constant vigilance, client would make catastrophic mistakes leading to failure and confirmation of unworthiness
- Burdens: Carries belief that “any mistake means total failure” from early school experiences with highly critical father
- Relationship with Self: Significant progress in unblending from this part during session, with client able to observe rather than become the perfectionist energy for sustained periods
Young Shame Exile:
- Role: Exile
- Presentation: Emerged as small, hunched figure hiding under a desk; client experienced tightness in chest, tearfulness, and feeling “small” when connecting with this part
- Function/Purpose: Holds painful memories of criticism and perceived failure from childhood
- Concerns/Fears: Fears complete rejection and abandonment if exposed
- Burdens: Carries belief “I am fundamentally flawed” and memories of being ridiculed by father and peers for academic mistakes
- Relationship with Self: Initial access with substantial Self energy present; part gradually trusted client enough to share core memories
Interventions
- Guided visualisation to help client identify internal parts activated by workplace stress, leading to recognition of perfectionist manager and access to underlying exile.
- Used direct access work with perfectionist part, facilitating dialogue between Self and part about its protective role and exploring alternative ways to ensure competence without hypervigilance.
- Applied witness practice when working with shame exile, helping client maintain Self presence while witnessing painful memories without becoming overwhelmed.
Unburdening and healing work
The shame exile was partially unburdened during this session, releasing some of the belief “I am fundamentally flawed” as the client’s Self provided witness and compassion to formative memories of criticism. The part reported feeling “lighter” and “less alone” following unburdening, with its appearance changing from hiding to cautiously visible. Noted feeling “more spacious inside” after this work, with increased access to Self energy.
Self leadership development
- Showed increased curiosity toward the perfectionist manager rather than identification with or rejection of it.
- When shame emerged unexpectedly, client was able to notice blending beginning and intentionally regain Self perspective.
Progress and insights
- Client recognised the connection between current workplace triggers and childhood experiences of criticism, gaining clarity on how perfectionism developed as protection.
- Michael expressed genuine compassion toward the shame part for the first time, noting “I’ve been fighting against this feeling my whole life instead of understanding it.”
Between-session plan
- Daily check-ins with both perfectionist and shame parts, focusing on acknowledging their protective intentions before workplace situations.
- Practice noticing physical cues of parts activation (shoulder tension, chest tightness) and implementing brief Self-restoration techniques.
Next steps
- Next session will continue work with the perfectionist manager, exploring negotiation between this part and Self regarding workplace performance.
- Appointment scheduled for Thursday, 23/05/2025 at 2:00pm.
Summary
Session focused on the client’s activated internal system in response to workplace stress, identifying a perfectionist manager part and accessing an underlying shame exile. Significant progress was made through partial unburdening of the shame part and increased Self-to-part relationships. The client demonstrated growing capacity for Self leadership while developing compassion for parts previously experienced as problematic.
