I, too, was hesitant about the idea of parts when my T first talked about it. I am one person, after all! But it does very much describe me. There are parts of me that are at different developmental stages because my parents didn't properly parent me and abused me. Also, like lucydog said, my T talks about "protectors" and "exiles." The idea is to understand why/from what the protector is protecting me (often having to do with previous abuse patterns). Then we address these and teach this part that does behaviors to protect me, which though logical can hurt me, a new type of behavior that will make me healthier in my interactions toward others and myself. For example, because my parents didn't give me the unconditional love and support that I *needed* as a child, there is a part that seeks out such relationships from others, even now in my adult life. This leads to much heartache for me (and others). Do you ever feel like you fight with yourself? I do - I know that going to the gym will ease my depression, help me to lose weight, get me out of my house, etc. But then there's this other part of me that fights against going to the gym (and often wins...). So, we're working on understanding why this part exists and have it more in line with the logical part that knows that going to the gym.

I disagree with elliemay's statement: "The very idea of the fragmentation of self, promotes the fragmentation of self." I feel LESS fragmented since I began IFS. Elliemay, have you ever done IFS? If so and you found this, that's certainly valid, but if not, then perhaps you might want to try it and see if your hypothesis is indeed valid.