Introductory video for the Partsworkers Lab.

When you are the facilitator;

Consider the following:

The intention of the group is to support you and the other participants in developing your facilitation skills. You may have some parts that want to perform for approval and accolades. We all have those parts. You will know in advance when you are scheduled to facilitate. Expect to make mistakes, to do it imperfectly, and notice what gets in the way of openness to feedback. 

Consider what you would like to focus on during the practice session. Do you want to focus on

  • One of the Six F’s?

  • Find

  • Focus

  • Flesh out

  • Feel Toward

  • beFriend

  • Fears

  • Working with Concerned parts?

  • Facilitating with flow?

  • Pausing when parts become activated?

  • Helping the client notice parts - establishing a trailhead?

  • Establishing a coaching request (if you are using IFS as a coach)?

  • Something else?

I will spend a few minutes with you before you begin to facilitate to help you notice any parts that may be activated by the experience. This is to help you facilitate with Self-energy rather than from burdened parts.

I will also pause you during your facilitation if I sense parts are activated or to offer a teaching moment.

When you are the client;

Keep this in mind: 

The intention of the Partsworkers Lab is to support participants in developing their facilitation skills.

In practice sessions, we will place priority on the facilitator. The participant who is the client should not expect a full IFS session and may be left with incompletion.

With this in mind, I suggest that you bring a mild activation for practice explorations. But be real. You are role-playing the client but bring an authentic part activation to the session.

When you are an observer;

The intention of the Partsworkers Lab is to support participants in developing their facilitation skills. Notice what happens with your own parts as you observe the practice. Consider the following questions as you observe:

  • If you had been the Facilitator:

    • What would you have done differently?

    • What worked well?

    • What would have been challenging?

    • What did you learn?

  • IF you had been the client: 

    • What would you have wanted more of?

    • What would you have wanted less of?

  • What parts came up for you (became activated) as you observed the practice?

Guidance for Observers During Consultation

Observers play a vital role during consultation sessions by actively engaging to deepen their own practice. To maximize the value of observing consultations:

  • Listen Actively: Reflect on how the questions and discussion directly apply to your own practice or clients.

  • Take Notes: Capture insights, reflections, and emerging questions as you observe.

  • Reflect with Intention: Consider the following reflective questions:

    • Do you have a client that matches this description?

    • What can you learn and use from this consultation in your practice?

    • What questions does this consultation raise for you?

    • What will you take away and practice from this consultation?

  • Prepare for Your Turn: Consider requesting support or consultation during your own scheduled time based on insights or questions arising from your observations.