Hi
This is my first post. I joined to respond to this. I am doing parts work. It is not IFS. It is Phase Oriented trauma therapy and T also specializes in sensorimotor psychotherapy. Yes. It is very slow going. I've been working w him 2x a week for 2 years now. We are doing what he calls differentiation of parts. Of course nothing is completely linear, so stabilization (phase 1) continues and some Integration (phase 3) has begun. I think this parts work is amazing. If I'd had this 30 yrs ago I could've had a real life. Now I'm 53 and have like 5 comorbid debilitating physical ailments so its hard to stay motivated with therapy sometimes.
We also do a lot of attachment and transfwrence work. How can u not, I guess. It sucks. It's embarrassing and painful. I hate him much of the time, yet I also had a crush on him and sexual dreams and fantasies! It sucks to be so dependent on someone when it's not a real relationship. But it's pretty much my only relationship at this point.
I found out that T had studied under a certain teacher and that person had a book so I got the book without telling him at first. It is called The Haynted Self by Onno van der Hart. The book is very difficult to read but it is worth it if u can only understand 1/10 of it. It explains the difference between dissociation and fulll DID I did not know that my therapist considered me DDNOS before. There is also a workbook for people undergoing therapy for DID or DDNOS. I feel it is criminal that more therapists are not trained in this. I finally understand that the "voices" inside me, are parts. This is why I am always torn so many ways and have conflicting thoughts and feelings about everything what a relief to not feel crazy anymore. I'm a long way from done but I think this work is the best and really the only thing that has offered me relief and understanding. I often can talk to and amongst my parts now which is a great first step. I'm glad to hear others doing this work. I've not actually met anyone else who knows what it is.