Parts of You: The Self & The Core of Who You Are
Written by Autumn Horn, MS, ATR-P, LPC-IT
“The last place many of us have looked for peace and joy is inside ourselves.”
- Richard Schwartz (2023)
The Self and the Inner Family
Our internal system is made of the Self as well as protector and exile parts. This blog focuses on the Self, the seat of our consciousness. Internal Family Systems (IFS) teaches that healing comes from within, but first, we must understand the role of the Self and its powerful, innate qualities. The Self is at the core of every person, yet many of us only catch glimpses of its presence before protective parts take over to manage pain and fear. However, through healing, self-discovery, and processing, our parts can embrace new, healthier roles—allowing the Self to step into its natural role as the leader of the inner family.
One of the defining aspects of the Self is its innate qualities, known as the Eight C’s (Schwartz, 2023):
Calmness – The ability to maintain inner peace, even when external or internal circumstances are chaotic. True calmness comes when the Self is leading, creating balance between the inner and external worlds.
Clarity – The ability to perceive situations without distortion from extreme beliefs or emotions, allowing for critical thinking and compassionate decision-making.
Curiosity – A mindful interest in oneself and others, cultivating a deeper understanding and openness to different perspectives.
Compassion – The ability to hold empathy and connection with others while maintaining a sense of self.
Confidence – Trust in one’s ability to handle challenges, care for hurt parts, and engage authentically with others.
Courage – The strength to engage with difficult emotions, stand up for oneself, and approach conflicts with resilience.
Creativity – A natural flow state where one embraces self-expression and exploration.
Connectedness – The experience of being deeply linked to oneself, others, and the world, particularly through Self-to-Self connections with others.
The Eight C’s allow the Self to be a compassionate witness and active leader, guiding parts toward healing and integration rather than taking over or suppressing emotions. We often catch glimpses of our Self in moments of peace, clarity, and connection, yet our protective parts quickly take over again. As Schwartz (2023) illustrates through metaphor, being Self-led is like recognizing the vastness of the ocean rather than focusing only on the waves crashing on the shore. With this broader perspective, we can listen to our parts with compassion and create a welcoming inner space where they feel seen, heard, and supported. By accessing the Eight C’s of the Self, we strengthen Self-leadership, deepening our sense of connection, authenticity, and fulfillment in life.
Role of Art Therapy with the Self
Through the creative process, art therapy provides an opportunity to work alongside the Self, witnessing and engaging with exiles and protectors beyond words. It creates space for creativity, allowing individuals to explore and externalize their inner parts in a safe, contained environment.
Making art is inherently creative and intuitive, similar to the qualities of the Self mentioned earlier.
Artmaking invites the artist to safely connect with their Self, engaging with the inner family in an embodied, experiential way rather than through intellect or words alone (Hilbuch et al., 2016). Art can encourage a deeper exploration of the Self, allowing parts to share their stories while using creativity and self-expression. Through imagery and metaphor, art makes space for the Self to show the internal family its positive leadership qualities (Moon, 2007). Creating a visual representation of a part allows it to move beyond the mind, becoming a tangible, external entity that can share its role, challenges, and story with the Self. By externalizing the part, the Self can physically see and engage with the art, thus engaging with the part itself.
This process reminds us that healing is already within reach.
By cultivating Self-leadership through parts work and art therapy, you create a pathway for deeper self-understanding and transformation. IFS provides the language to explore your inner world, while art therapy offers a creative, embodied way to engage with it—allowing for true integration and healing.
"Self" by Autumn Horn
I invite you to begin to notice when you may be experiencing the innate, powerful qualities of the Self. Can you recognize any of the Eight C qualities in yourself? How do you feel when you are in Self-Leadership? By beginning to acknowledge your Self and its Eight C’s, you can begin a transformative journey toward deeper connection, healing, and inner harmony.
Curious about how art therapy can support your parts work and help you on your journey to Self-Leadership? Autumn offers a complimentary 15-minute consultation where you can explore your goals and discover how her approach can guide you toward healing and growth.
References:
Hilbuch, A., Snir, S., Regev, D., & Orkibi, H. (2016). The role of art materials in the transferential relationship: Art psychotherapists’ perspective. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 49, 19–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2016.05.011
Moon, B. L. (2007). The role of metaphor in art therapy: Theory, method, and experience. Charles C. Thomas Publisher.
Schwartz, R. C. (2023). Introduction to internal family systems (2nd ed.). Sounds True.