The Power of Parts Work: A Case Study on Finding Healing Through Connection

by | Case Studies

Therapy is never a one-size-fits-all process. Each client brings their own history, challenges, and inner world into the therapeutic space. That’s why I approach every session with curiosity and adaptability, tailoring the work to fit the person sitting in front of me. One particular case has stuck with me over the years—a powerful example of how parts work can transform even the most fragmented experiences into meaningful healing.

The Client’s Journey: A Fragmented Inner World

When I first met this client, they had already been through multiple rounds of traditional therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) had all been attempted, yet nothing seemed to stick. The client described themselves as “broken,” convinced that therapy simply didn’t work for them.

As we began our sessions, I noticed a distinct pattern. Every few sentences, their emotional state would shift dramatically—one moment filled with anger, the next consumed by hopelessness, then fleeting optimism. It was as if a different voice was speaking each time. This wasn’t a disorder or diagnosis—it was a sign that parts of their psyche were struggling to coexist.

The client was overwhelmed by these shifts and had no language to describe or understand what was happening. This is where parts work came in.

Introducing Parts Work

I explained to the client that these “voices” they were experiencing weren’t something to fear or suppress. They were parts of their mind, each holding unique emotions, needs, and motivations. Parts work invites us to externalize these voices—not to separate from them, but to understand them better.

Early on, we worked to identify these parts. Instead of saying, “I hate my life,” the client began to recognize and say, “A part of me feels like it hates my life right now.” This small shift helped them begin to see their emotions not as overpowering, immutable forces but as facets of their inner experience that could be explored with compassion.

The Turning Point

At first, progress was slow. The client struggled to create enough distance from their emotions to interact with them. It felt like each part was taking over completely, one after the other, leaving little room for reflection. I began incorporating creative tools to help bridge that gap.

We used parts cards—visual prompts representing different emotions—and mapped out their system on paper, assigning each part a space on the table in front of us. Each time the client expressed an emotion, we paused to identify which part was speaking and what it wanted to communicate.

It wasn’t always smooth sailing. I remember wondering at one point, “Is this actually working? Are we making progress?” But I trusted the process. Over time, the client began to recognize their parts as distinct entities, each with its own story to tell. And then, seemingly all at once, everything clicked.

Breakthrough and Integration

In just two sessions following this breakthrough, the client made leaps I couldn’t have predicted. They began to interact with their parts more directly, asking, “What do you need from me?” or “How can I help you feel safe?” They started to build relationships with these parts, not as adversaries, but as teammates.

The client described feeling a newfound lightness—as if a weight they’d carried for years was finally lifting. They gained a sense of control, not by suppressing or overpowering their emotions but by becoming a compassionate leader of their internal system.

What This Case Taught Me

This case reaffirmed something I’ve seen time and again: healing doesn’t happen when we try to force change. It happens when we meet people where they are, honor their experiences, and work collaboratively to create a path forward.

Parts work is powerful because it doesn’t dismiss the complexity of our inner lives. Instead, it provides a framework for understanding and healing those complexities. For this client, it wasn’t about “fixing” their emotions but creating space for every part of themselves to be seen, heard, and integrated.

Final Thoughts

If you’re feeling fragmented or overwhelmed, know that you’re not alone. Your emotions, no matter how contradictory they might feel, are part of you for a reason. Therapy isn’t about shutting those parts down—it’s about learning to listen to them, honor them, and heal alongside them.

Through a process of curiosity and compassion, profound transformation is possible. It was a privilege to witness that with this client, and it’s something I strive to bring to every session.

Maor Bernshtein

Maor Bernshtein

I'm a Registered Social Worker offering compassionate, personalized therapy and hypnotherapy to help you navigate trauma, addiction, and anxiety with empathy and humor.