Dr. Britt Frank, psychotherapist and author known for Parts Work and trauma recovery, shares personal stories and clinical tools. She explains Internal Family Systems, how befriending inner parts fosters self-compassion, and offers micro-steps to manage strong reactions. The conversation explores boundaries, spirituality, and reframing symptoms as signals rather than identity.
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insights INSIGHT
Mind As A System Of Parts
Parts work treats the mind as a system of multiple parts rather than a single sabotaging self.
This view normalizes inner conflict and frames parts as actors to be understood, not enemies to be defeated.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Befriend Rather Than Banish Your Parts
Befriend critical or protective parts instead of banishing them and ask what they need.
Self-compassion creates conditions that allow you to meet your own standards rather than enabling or lowering them.
insights INSIGHT
Labels Can Trap Identity And Halt Change
Diagnostic labels can become identities that freeze people into inaction and remove responsibility to change.
Seeing symptoms as signals rather than fixed identities opens space for growth and different stories.
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Parts Work, also known as Internal Family Systems, developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz, is a transformative tool that conceives of every human being as a system of protective and wounded inner parts led by a core Self. Parts Work allows you an all-access pass to wholeness by understanding, befriending, and leading the multiple voices within yourself.
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In this episode, CIIS somatic psychology professor Christine Gindi talks with psychotherapist and author Britt Frank about using Parts Work to meet our inner critics, inner children, and inner shadows to help tame anxiety, heal trauma, and overcome self-doubt.
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This episode was recorded during a live online event on August 14th, 2025. You can also watch it on the CIIS Public Programs YouTube channel. A transcript is available at ciis.edu/podcast. To find out more about CIIS and public programs like this one, visit our website ciis.edu and connect with us on social media @ciispubprograms.
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We hope that each episode of our podcast provides opportunities for growth, and that our listeners will use them as a starting point for further introspection. Many of the topics discussed on our podcast have the potential to bring up feelings and emotional responses. If you or someone you know is in need of mental health care and support, here are some resources to find immediate help and future healing:
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-Visit 988lifeline.org or text, call, or chat with The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 from anywhere in the U.S. to be connected immediately with a trained counselor. Please note that 988 staff are required to take all action necessary to secure the safety of a caller and initiate emergency response with or without the caller’s consent if they are unwilling or unable to take action on their own behalf.
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-Visit thrivelifeline.org or text “THRIVE” to begin a conversation with a THRIVE Lifeline crisis responder 24/7/365, from anywhere: +1.313.662.8209. This confidential text line is available for individuals 18+ and is staffed by people in STEMM with marginalized identities.
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-Visit translifeline.org or call (877) 565-8860 in the U.S. or (877) 330-6366 in Canada to learn more and contact Trans Lifeline, who provides trans peer support divested from police.
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-Visit ciis.edu/ciis-in-the-world/counseling-clinics to learn more and schedule counseling sessions at one of our centers.
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-Find information about additional global helplines at befrienders.org.
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LINKS
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Podcast Transcripts: https://www.ciispod.com/
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California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) Website: https://www.ciis.edu/
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CIIS Public Programs YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ciispublicprograms
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CIIS Public Programs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ciispubprograms/
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Mental Health Care and Support Resources:
https://988lifeline.org/
https://thrivelifeline.org/
https://translifeline.org/
https://www.ciis.edu/ciis-in-the-world/counseling-clinics
https://befrienders.org/
CIIS Public Programs 
