There are multiple ways to conceptualize an idea. Richard C. Schwartz introduced  his conceptualization of how the human psyche organizes oitself in his book Internal Family Systems in 1995 which is still relevant today.

He said the human mind is not one, single unit. Rather it is a system of subpersonalities that perform certain roles for the functioning of the whole.  Everyone has parts. This explains why we react to similar situations differently at different times, almost as if we were a different person altogether. The degree to which our parts are integrated or polarized is determined by our exposure to trauma. Trauma causes the brain to isolate difficult memories in the subconscious, unconnected from the present and other memories creating dissociative parts. Oftentimes there is conflict between our various parts which cause a disturbance. Therapy can address the needs of each part, thus resolving the disturbance.

I like to use Russian stacking dolls to depict, albeit very simplistically, how our parts develop. The dolls are stored within the largest doll according to size. This is a metaphor for how our youngest parts gets deeper into our subconscious over time, but is still powerful in determining our reactions. Just because we are not aware of all of our parts does not mean they have no pull on our thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

Central to this internal system of parts is our core self. The core self is not a part. “It is a place from which a person observes, experiences, and interacts with the parts and with other people. It contains the compassion, perspective, confidence and vision required to lead both internal and external life harmoniously and sensitively” (Schwartz, 1995).

For further description of parts and how to become knowledgeable about your own inner workings scroll down the page to Types of Therapy. Find Internal Family Systems and click on the Homework assignments.