Although not the first to propose that we all have an interior assembly of sub personalities, or "parts," which make up an internal family system (IFS), Richard Schwartz presents the IFS model in an extremely accessible way. He describes how, when the self is threatened by trauma, overwhelm, fright, and so on, these "parts" focus on protecting us from harm.

I read this book last year; I found Schwartz's discussion of how we can cultivate compassion for our own seemingly negative traits--say, defensiveness or sadness--exceedingly helpful. Schwartz writes that once we accept our own feelings, and understand their origin, our internal world becomes integrated and we are able to have more compassion for what makes other people tick.

(As a side note, Pixar's hit movie Inside Out is based on the IFS model. I don't watch many animated movies these days, but my children insisted that I'd love this one, as it charmingly illustrates the role of feelings, and not just the pretty ones. It's now one of my favorite movies. Safe to say that my kids know what makes me tick!)

For more on the book: https://www.amazon.com/Interna...mily-Systems-Therapy