The Tender Parts

<p><strong>If we look deeply enough we can connect to all the parts within us.</strong> </p><p> </p><p>Ten years ago Ilyse Kennedy was a disconnected twenty-something sitting on a therapy couch a client grappling with her own trauma recovery. Now as a trauma therapist Kennedy shows up with a calming presence ready to attune to her treasured clients. Those who meet her now might be surprised to know that this <em>twenty-something </em>still lives within her sometimes awakening in response to the familiar. She also has a <em>people pleaser</em> who caters to the needs of others for self-protection. Then there is the <em>therapist </em>within her who offers tools and solutions for the clients across from her. The <em>twenty-something</em> <em>people pleaser</em> and <em>therapist</em> are all parts within her-they are adaptations she formed in response to traumas-who show up to aid her in interacting with the outside world. </p><p> </p><p>In <em>The Tender Parts</em> part memoir part self-help Kennedy leads you through the process of meeting embracing and tending to your own parts through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS) a form of therapy that explores the parts within us all. With meditations exercises and an introduction to her own parts she provides you with an opportunity to get to know the parts within yourself offer them compassion and relieve them of their burdens so you can heal your inner wounds and be more attuned to the <em>Self</em>. As you meet Kennedy's parts your understanding and knowledge of your own parts will deepen allowing you to reconnect with your center and approach the world with openhearted joy.</p>