The Cure for Chronic Pain with Nicole Sachs, LCSW

S5 E1 - Nicole in the Hot Seat - IFS Session LIVE with Phil De La Haye

·1 hr 25 min·5 clips

Nicole discovers a fearful 12-year-old part inside her that constantly self-monitors to be 'bright and shiny'.

["Nicole Sachs opens Season 5 of her podcast by welcoming back Phil DeLaHaye, a certified IFS therapist and longtime community member.", "She announces a 25% off sale for September on all site courses and the launch of a new Break Awake coaching program supervised by her.", "Nicole explains her attraction to IFS, linking it to family systems theory and its relevance to TMS recovery and JournalSpeak.", "Phil shares his own nervous and excited parts before beginning the session, modeling the IFS approach of acknowledging internal voices.", "Nicole discusses the importance of therapists bringing their humanness into sessions, not just acting as textbooks or fixers.", "Phil initiates the IFS session by asking Nicole to notice what parts are present as they shift from podcast mode.", "Nicole identifies a part felt in her solar plexus that is young, fearful, and monitors her to be 'bright and shiny' but not annoying.", "She feels warmth and protectiveness toward this part, recognizing how exhausting its constant self-monitoring has been.", "Phil guides her to close her eyes and connect internally, where Nicole visualizes the part as a 12-year-old girl.", "The 12-year-old part is linked to starting a new school in sixth grade, where Nicole felt pressure to perform due to local gossip.", "A 'producer' part with a clipboard interrupts to narrate the story, and Phil helps Nicole distinguish this protective part.", "A male critic part emerges, minimizing the exercise as a waste of time and urging Nicole to skip over vulnerability and be successful.", "Nicole explains IFS basics to listeners, clarifying that the goal is connection between self and parts, not elimination of parts.", "A judgmental 'diva' part appears, criticizing the process as gross and cringey, then storms away after being acknowledged.", "Nicole apologizes to this part for using it when needed, and it agrees to step back, allowing connection with the 12-year-old.", "With protective parts giving space, Nicole connects with the 12-year-old, who feels relieved and wants her to know that this connection matters.", "Phil notes that these protectors shield more vulnerable exiled parts holding pain from past experiences.", "Nicole commits to returning for journaling with the 12-year-old on her own time, feeling peaceful after all parts were heard.", "They reflect on the session, with Nicole appreciating Phil's gentle guidance and the humor in parts like the 'diva'.", "Phil discusses the concept of 'blending' in IFS and how pausing to ask 'who's writing?' can enhance JournalSpeak practice.", "Nicole invites Phil to do a future session with her colleague Lisa, and Phil agrees to check with his parts before committing.", "The episode ends with Nicole planning to journal about the experience and directing listeners to show notes for Phil's resources."]

As heard by us

A live IFS session finds protection inside the inner critic Sacks has learned to hear.

A live IFS session turns Nicole Sacks's inner world into a room with company: a 12-year-old girl, a producer with a clipboard, and a male critic convinced the whole exercise is a waste of time.

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Why you'd press play

Press play when an inner critic sounds practical, impatient, and strangely devoted to keeping you safe.

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