Somatic Parts Work
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
& The Tamura Method
The Tamura Method:
TWO SELVES
In each of us, there are two selves: the Inner-Adult and the Inner-Child. These parts experience and engage with the world in different ways. The Inner-Adult is our conscious self, known for practical and clear thinking, while the Inner-Child is our subconscious self, holding our deepest wounds.
When triggered, an unhealed Inner-Child can “‘blend” with or take over the Inner-Adult, reacting from past pain rather than responding to the present reality.
The Tamura Method explores the origins of our emotional injuries, teaching the Inner-Adult to embrace itself and the Inner-Child, promoting healing for the Inner-Child’s wounds.
ACCESSING FUNDAMENTAL EMOTIONAL INJURIES THROUGH ENERGETIC TOUCH
Connecting with the Inner-Child through energetic touch and sensory awareness, to gently activate relevant body memories, imagery, and emotions. This approach allows the somatic experiencing of trauma, without relying solely on the mind. Fostering a felt & embodied sense of trust that can sometimes be challenging with primarily intellectual methods of accessing such things.
Tamura Method: SEPARATION OF THE TWO SELVES
When the Inner-Adult and Inner-Child are entangled, it’s hard to tell who is in control. Working to untangle them through the Tamura Method brings an awareness of limiting behaviors and beliefs. With this new awareness, the Inner-Adult gains autonomy and clarity, operating from a trauma-informed calm state. This shifts the roles where the Inner-Adult was once ineffective, and now can guide and protect the Inner-Child from a place of love. The adult self now guides and nurtures the child self, rather than the child self fearfully controlling and isolating the adult self.
Learn more about my teacher Wynn, the founder of the Tamura Method.
…more complex parts work
The explanation above is a simplified model I use to introduce people to this work. However, some patterns can be more intricate and may benefit from a deeper exploration using a more complex internal parts framework.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic model that views the mind as an inner system of sub-personalities, or “Parts,” each with its own unique role and perspective. At the center of this system is the Self, your core essence of calmness, curiosity, and compassion. Throughout life, some parts become Exiles (carrying pain or trauma), while others act as Managers or Firefighters to protect us from that pain through control or numbing behaviors. Healing occurs not by eliminating these parts, but by leading them from the Self, allowing the protective parts to relax and the exiled parts to unburden and heal.
If you have any questions or would like to dive deeper, please don’t hesitate to reach out. It’s a fascinating field of exploration, one that I find profoundly effective for understanding, rewiring and releasing habits and behaviors that no longer serve us.