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Geneva, IL
Naperville, IL
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Parts Work

Our trauma therapists specialize in guiding you toward self-compassion, helping you recognize and heal the different parts of you that have been shaped by your past experiences.
Sound like you?
"I feel like there are different versions of me fighting inside—one part wants to move forward, but another part feels too scared and stops me from trying.

"I keep sabotaging myself, even when I really want things to change."

"I feel stuck, like no matter what I do, I can’t move forward."

"I'm always so critical of myself. I really beat myself up."
Life doesn't have to stay this way. We can help!
Life feels like a constant battle—one moment, you’re functioning fine, and the next, you’re overwhelmed by emotions that don’t seem to match the situation. You try to move forward, but something inside keeps pulling you back, making you second-guess yourself or shut down completely. Maybe you lash out when you don’t mean to, or you freeze, unable to express what you need. Deep down, you know certain patterns aren’t serving you, but breaking free feels impossible. It’s exhausting to carry so many conflicting feelings—part of you wants to trust, but another part won’t let you. You crave relief, yet something inside resists change. If this sounds familiar, you’re not broken. These inner conflicts are often the result of past trauma, and they make perfect sense given what you’ve been through. You don’t have to keep struggling alone—there’s a way to heal.
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What is Parts Work Therapy?

Parts Work therapy is a trauma approach that helps people understand and heal the different aspects of themselves that have been shaped by life experiences. Based on the idea that we all have inner “parts” with unique roles, emotions, and needs, this therapy helps bring awareness to the parts that may be stuck in fear, pain, or self-protection due to past trauma. By working with these parts—rather than fighting against them—clients can develop self-compassion, heal old wounds, and create a sense of internal harmony.

At Creating Space Therapy, we integrate Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Ego State Therapy to help clients navigate these inner dynamics with care, curiosity, and deep respect for their lived experiences.

What to Expect in Parts Work Therapy

​A Parts Work session at Creating Space Therapy is a guided exploration of your inner world in a safe and supportive space. Your therapist will help you slow down and notice the different thoughts, emotions, and sensations that arise, gently identifying the parts of you that may be carrying pain, fear, or protective roles. Rather than forcing change, we approach each part with curiosity and compassion, allowing space for understanding and healing. Through this process, you’ll begin to recognize the ways different parts influence your reactions, beliefs, and behaviors. Over time, this work fosters greater self-acceptance, emotional regulation, and relief from past wounds. Whether through dialogue, visualization, or body-based awareness, each session is tailored to meet your unique needs, helping you move toward a more balanced and integrated sense of self.

How Do I Know If I Need Parts Work Therapy?

If the effects of trauma have left you feeling stuck in inner conflict, emotionally overwhelmed, or disconnected from yourself, Parts Work therapy can help you find clarity, healing, and relief. Here are some signs that it may be time to explore somatic therapy:
You are feeling stuck in negative repeating patterns in your personal relationships
You are experiencing intense inner conflict.
You struggle with chronic self-criticism or feelings of shame.
You have overwhelming emotions that don’t seem to fit them moment.
You struggle with feelings of trust and safety with others.
You are feeling disconnected or numb.
It may feel impossible now, but healing is possible when you begin to understand and care for the parts of you that have been carrying pain for so long. And we can help you get there.
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Find Lasting Relief and Inner Harmony with Parts Work Therapy

At Creating Space Therapy, we believe true healing happens when every part of you feels seen, heard, and understood. If trauma has left you feeling stuck, disconnected, or at war with yourself, our approach to Parts Work therapy can help you find clarity, self-compassion, and relief. We integrate Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Ego State Therapy with other modalities to help you build a sense of inner harmony and wholeness. Here, you’ll find a safe, supportive space to reconnect with yourself and move forward with greater confidence and ease.

A Safe and Supportive Approach

Our EMDR therapists are experienced, trained and certified through EMDRIA and are committed to helping you heal and grow.

​Expert Guidance for Complex Trauma

Our trauma therapists specialize in polyvagal-informed somatic therapy, helping you heal trauma by restoring safety and connection in your body.

Comprehensive Path to Healing

Our Parts Work therapy integrates Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Ego State Therapy to help you understand, heal, and harmonize the inner conflicts keeping you stuck.

Our Comprehensive Approach to Supporting You

01

Resolve Inner Conflict

​If you feel torn between different parts of yourself—one that wants change and another that holds you back—we’ll work together to bring understanding and balance. By creating space for all parts of you to be heard, we’ll help you move toward greater self-acceptance and clarity.
02

​Heal from Past Trauma

​When past experiences leave parts of you stuck in fear, shame, or self-protection, we’ll gently explore these wounds at a pace that feels safe. You don’t have to carry this pain alone—through Parts Work, we’ll support you in releasing what no longer serves you.
03

Reduce Self-Criticism and Shame

If self-doubt and harsh self-talk feel relentless, we’ll get curious about the parts of you that have learned to be critical as a form of protection. With compassion and care, we’ll shift those voices from judgment to understanding, helping you feel more at peace with yourself.
04

​Improve Emotional Regulation

Big emotions can feel overwhelming, especially when different parts of you react in different ways. We’ll work to strengthen your ability to stay present, soothe emotional intensity, and respond to life with greater ease and confidence.

Our Parts Work Therapists

At Creating Space Therapy, our trauma therapists are trained in Parts Work, integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Ego State Therapy to help you navigate the inner conflicts that keep you feeling stuck. We understand that trauma leaves a lasting imprint, often creating internal struggles that show up in self-doubt, emotional overwhelm, or patterns that seem impossible to break. Our trauma therapists specialize in guiding you toward self-compassion, helping you recognize and heal the different parts of you that have been shaped by your past experiences.
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Thelma Razo
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
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Partnering With Your Primary Therapist
Integrating Parts Work Therapy with Other Therapeutic Modalities
While Parts Work therapy is a powerful healing approach on its own, it is also highly effective when integrated with other trauma therapies, including EMDR and somatic therapy. Trauma is stored not just in the mind but in the body, emotions, and nervous system, often leaving different parts of us feeling stuck in protective roles. By blending Parts Work with EMDR, we can help process trauma held by specific parts, allowing for deeper resolution of distressing memories. When combined with somatic therapy, Parts Work helps clients reconnect with their bodies, soothing the nervous system and releasing stored trauma. At Creating Space Therapy, we tailor each session to your needs, integrating these approaches to create a holistic and effective path toward healing.
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Will we only use Parts Work in my therapy sessions?
Not necessarily. While Parts Work is a valuable tool, we integrate it with other approaches based on your unique needs. Some sessions may focus entirely on Parts Work, while others may blend it with EMDR, somatic therapy, or other techniques that support your healing.
​How does Parts Work help with EMDR therapy?
EMDR helps reprocess traumatic memories, but sometimes different parts of you may have conflicting feelings about facing those memories. Parts Work allows us to identify and address these concerns before engaging in EMDR, ensuring that all parts of you feel safe and ready for the process.
How does Parts Work support Somatic Therapy?
Trauma is often stored in the body, and certain parts may hold tension, pain, or numbness as a way of protecting you. By combining Parts Work with somatic therapy, we can gently explore where trauma is held physically and help those parts release it in a way that feels safe and grounding.
What if different parts of me have different therapy needs?
That’s completely normal. Some parts may be eager to heal, while others may feel hesitant or resistant. Parts Work allows us to work with these different perspectives, creating a therapy experience that honors all aspects of your healing process.
If you’ve felt stuck in traditional talk therapy or have experienced trauma that feels overwhelming, an integrative approach using Parts Work, EMDR, and somatic therapy may provide deeper healing. In your sessions, we’ll work together to find the right combination of therapies that best support your journey.
Still unsure about Parts Work? We understand.
It’s completely understandable to have concerns about Parts Work therapy—after all, exploring your inner world can feel unfamiliar, vulnerable, or even intimidating at first. At Creating Space Therapy, We’re here to guide you in a way that feels supportive, safe, and honoring of every part of you.

Somatic Therapy FAQ

​Many people start Parts Work without a clear sense of their internal system, and that’s completely okay. Your therapist will gently guide you through the process, helping you notice patterns, emotions, and thoughts that naturally arise, making it easier to connect with your parts over time.

​It’s normal to feel hesitant or even fearful about exploring parts that carry pain, shame, or anger. In Parts Work, we never force anything before you're ready. We take things at your pace, ensuring a sense of safety and control throughout the process.

Parts Work is designed to be a compassionate, non-overwhelming approach to healing. While some emotions may surface, your therapist will help you regulate and process them in a way that feels manageable and supportive, so you don’t have to go through it alone.

No—Parts Work is not the same as dissociative identity disorder (DID). Everyone has different internal parts that hold emotions, memories, and beliefs. This therapy simply helps you understand and integrate these parts so they work together rather than in conflict.

You Deserve to Feel Understood and Whole
If you’ve ever felt like different parts of you are at war with each other—one part wanting to heal, another part holding you back—you’re not alone. Trauma can leave us feeling disconnected from ourselves, trapped in patterns we don’t fully understand. But every part of you has a story, a purpose, and the potential for healing. Through Parts Work therapy, we help you build a compassionate relationship with the parts of you that carry pain, fear, and self-protection, so you no longer have to struggle alone. You deserve to feel whole, understood, and at peace within yourself.
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