We've talked a lot over the past year about IFS (Internal Family Systems) and how it can help you to change your relationship with food and your body for the better.

But I know that IFS may still seem a bit "out there," or "woo-woo" for some. Or it might still seem downright confusing.

So luckily, on this week's podcast episode you'll get to hear how it all works, thanks to my guest Natalie Deering. Natalie is a licensed psychological practitioner with a masters in clinical psychology. She is a level 2 trained IFS therapist and has her certifications in meditation instruction and yoga. She is the host of the IFS-informed wellness podcast, "That Wellness Podcast with Natalie Deering," and offers psychotherapy to clients in her private practice in the state of Kentucky.

Natalie gives us the inside scoop on how she got to know some of the parts in her eating system and how they relate to each other. And one is a cute little dancing biscuit! She also shares about a part that was critical toward her body, and how this part expressed itself--not through speaking, but through touch.

Natalie is also trained in meditation, and we talk about how some forms of meditation run counter to one of the goals of IFS: connection. Often, we're taught to push thoughts away from us during meditation in order to clear our minds. In IFS, we see that as pushing away our parts, which is never the goal. Although we ask for space from our parts, we're doing that in the interest of connecting with them. That may sound strange--take a listen to the podcast and I think it will make more sense!

Natalie also shares three meditations that she created and uses for herself and with her clients to help check in with their parts and to access their Self-energy:

Office Hours: inviting your parts who need attention to come forward at a given time
Scheduled Appointment: setting aside a specific time to check in and spend time with a part
Office Space: inviting our parts to give us the space to connect with our Self-energy qualities

Using these meditations on a regular basis can help you to get to know your parts, address their needs, and access your own Self-energy. All wonderful things!

Natalie also reminds us to extend gratitude toward our parts. For the jobs they do, the resources they hold, and the space they're willing to provide you. She suggests saying something like this to our parts:

“To all of my parts, I am grateful for you and your energy. I am grateful for your resource and I am grateful for your trust and for your space.”

Such great advice. Take a listen!

Where to find Natalie:

Where to find me:

Unsure what leads you to–or away from–food? Let’s get to know your eating parts! Check out my FREE Eating Parts Cheat Sheets to start understanding what (or should I say who?) leads you to food!

Click below to listen!

Episode 68: Getting to Know Your Eating Parts, with Natalie Deering.