Further Reading & Discovery
If your “Manager” parts need more data before they feel safe to proceed, here are the most trusted resources to help you explore these models at your own pace.
Internal Family Systems (The Foundation)
- The Best Starter: No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz. This is the definitive “handbook” for the model. It explains why there truly are no bad parts of you and includes several guided exercises you can try at home.
- For the “Maternal Burden”: When Good Moms Feel Bad by Jessica Tomich. Read this for a deep dive into how IFS applies specifically to the societal and internal pressures women face.
- The SELF-LED Internal Family Systems Workbook by Tanis Jo Allen, LMSW, ACSW. This is a highly practical, step-by-step guide on how to actually talk to your parts if you want to understand the “mechanics” before the group starts.
- Watch/Listen: Search for “Richard Schwartz IFS Demo” on YouTube to see what a session actually looks like—it’s often very different (and more peaceful) than people imagine.
Psycholytic Ketamine (The Medicine)
- The Ketamine Breakthrough by Dr. Mike Dow and Ronan Levy. This group uses the KAP model, where the medicine is a tool for therapy, not just a biological treatment.
- Understanding “Psycholytic”: This refers to lower doses that “loosen” the mind (lysis) to allow for deeper emotional work. Unlike higher “psychedelic” doses, you remain present and able to speak with the facilitator.
- The Ketamine Handbook: A beginners guide to Ketamine-Assisted Therapy for Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, PTSD by Janelle Lassalle.
The Synergy (IFS + Ketamine)
- Podcast: “Ketamine and Internal Family Systems” with Nick Bruss (Integrative Psychiatry Institute). This is a fantastic listen for understanding how the medicine helps “Protectors” step back so the “Self” can emerge.
Article: International Journal of Social Sciences and Management Review: Volume: 03, Issue: 04 “July – August 2020” ISSN 2582-0176: www.ijssmr.org: Copyright © IJSSMR 2020, All right reserved. Page 257, INTEGRATING PSYCHEDELIC EXPERIENCES UTILIZING THE INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS THERAPEUTIC MODEL – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343833184_INTEGRATING_PSYCHEDELIC_EXPERIENCES_UTILIZING_THE_INTERNAL_FAMILY_SYSTEMS_THERAPEUTIC_MODEL
A Recommended "Quick Start" for You
If you only have 20 minutes, I recommend starting here:
- Read: The Introduction to No Bad Parts.
- Listen: To a 10-minute “IFS Check-in” meditation on the Insight Timer app (search for Richard Schwartz).