The Benefits of Integrating Parts Work into EMDR Therapy
Integrating parts work into EMDR therapy can help clients navigate trauma processing more smoothly, particularly when internal conflicts create obstacles in therapy. Many clients experience a natural push / pull dynamic when approaching trauma work - one part may feel ready (and even impatient) to move forward with EMDR reprocessing, while another part feels hesitant or fearful. A client might find themselves intellectualising or feeling disconnected from their emotions and body during Phase 3, suddenly go blank or feel numb when reprocessing a target in Phase 4, or start cancelling sessions or arriving late as trauma reprocessing draws closer.
By incorporating parts work into EMDR therapy, therapists can help clients build awareness, curiosity, and cooperation between their internal parts, reducing tension, shame, and self-criticism. This approach supports clients in developing greater internal stability and bringing all parts ‘on board’ for trauma reprocessing.
What Is Parts Work?
We all have different aspects of self. Some are shaped by life roles—such as the ‘professional self’ or ‘inner child’—while others develop as protective mechanisms in response to difficult experiences. In trauma therapy, parts work acknowledges that these different aspects may hold conflicting perspectives on trauma processing. One part might want to engage in trauma therapy, while another may feel fearful or hesitant of this work.
There are many different approaches to parts work, including Schema Therapy (modes), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Resource Therapy, and the Structural Dissociation Model. There is no single ‘correct’ way to work with parts—different clients resonate with different approaches. My focus is on the principles of parts work rather than rigid adherence to any one model, allowing for flexibility based on the client’s needs.
At its core, parts work is not about eliminating parts but fostering internal collaboration. Every part developed for a reason - often as a survival response - and by approaching them with curiosity and empathy, clients can begin to work with, rather than against, themselves in therapy.
How Parts Work Enhances EMDR Therapy
Integrating parts work into EMDR therapy can be particularly useful at various stages of the process:
1. Supporting Trauma Processing Readiness (Phase 2)
Parts work is especially helpful during preparation when clients feel uncertain about engaging in trauma reprocessing. If avoidance patterns are emerging, exploring and acknowledging the perspectives of different parts can reduce fear and resistance. Clients might be invited to gently check in with their parts, get curious about any concerns, and explore what support might help them feel safer in proceeding.
2. Reducing Internal Conflicts in Trauma Reprocessing (Phase 4)
When clients encounter blocks in trauma processing—such as feeling emotionally numb or suddenly disengaged—this may indicate that a protective part has stepped in. Using simple parts interweaves (e.g., “I wonder if a part of you has shown up here?”) can help to acknowledge and validate these experiences. By negotiating with protective parts rather than overriding them, clients can re-engage in processing with a greater sense of internal alignment.
3. Encouraging Internal Cooperation Throughout Therapy
Checking in with parts at the beginning of reprocessing sessions can be a useful way to explore whether all parts feel ready to proceed. If concerns arise, a few minutes spent addressing them can prevent obstacles from disrupting the session later on. Similarly, closing sessions with a brief internal check-in can help ensure that all parts feel settled, reducing the likelihood of destabilisation between sessions.
Practical Ways to Incorporate Parts Work in EMDR Therapy
There are many ways to help clients engage with their parts, depending on what feels most natural for them:
Guided Visualisation – Clients can be invited to ‘meet’ and build relationships with their parts through imagination-based exercises.
Journaling or Imagery – Encouraging clients to explore dialogue between parts through writing or drawing can provide valuable insight.
Chair Work – Clients can experiment with shifting between different ‘seats’ to explore the perspectives of various parts.
Creative Approaches – For clients who struggle with visualisation, using sand trays, drawings, symbolic cards, or even references from pop culture (such as Inside Out) can provide more concrete ways to engage with parts.
The goal of integrating parts work into EMDR therapy is not to impose a single model of parts work, but to tailor the approach to each client’s needs. Some clients resonate with structured models, while others prefer a more intuitive, flexible way of exploring their internal world.
By acknowledging and working with parts rather than against them, therapists can help clients reduce internal barriers, making trauma reprocessing smoother and more effective. Whether through structured techniques or informal curiosity, parts work offers a valuable way to support clients in their EMDR therapy journey.
I'm Caroline Burrows, an Accredited EMDR Trainer and Consultant. I’m passionate about bridging the gap between EMDR training and clinical practice. If you're looking to learn EMDR therapy for the first time, enhance your EMDR skills, or navigate challenges in your EMDR clinical work, I offer training workshops, on-demand webinars, and consultation. I would love to support your EMDR learning journey.
