The Pragmatist - IFS Parts And Their Roles Series #2

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic approach that recognises the human psyche as a collection of sub-personalities or "parts" that function as a system. According to IFS, all parts of our internal system have good intentions, even if they sometimes express themselves in unhelpful or harmful ways.

The basic idea behind IFS is that all of our parts have positive intentions, no matter how disruptive their behaviour might appear on the surface. This is because each part of us is trying to protect us from pain, discomfort, and other negative experiences. Even those parts that seem negative or self-sabotaging are trying to help us somehow.

The "pragmatist" part refers to a sub personality focused on practical solutions and takes a problem-solving approach to life. The pragmatist is often seen as a practical and efficient part that helps the individual get things done and move forward.

The pragmatist part is typically activated when the individual needs to tackle a specific task or problem and seeks to find the quickest and most effective solution. The pragmatist is often seen as a valuable part of the internal system, as it helps the individual to be productive and achieve their goals.

However, the pragmatist part can also create inner conflict if it becomes overly dominant and begins to dismiss the needs and concerns of other parts. In IFS therapy, the goal may be to help the individual access and balance the pragmatist part, allowing it to work in harmony with the other parts of the internal system.

The exact behaviour of the pragmatist part can vary from person to person and will depend on the individual's internal system and life experiences. However, in general, the pragmatist is seen as a practical and solution-focused part that helps individuals move forward and achieve their goals.

How did the pragmatist get its role

The pragmatist part typically develops due to an individual's life experiences. The pragmatist may develop as a response to the need to get things done and solve problems effectively, especially when an individual has faced challenges or difficulties.

For example, suppose an individual grew up in an environment where they had to be resourceful and find practical solutions to problems to survive. In that case, they may have developed a strong pragmatist part. Similarly, suppose an individual has faced many life obstacles and needs to find practical solutions to overcome them. In that case, they may have developed a strong pragmatist part to cope with these challenges.

In IFS therapy, the goal is often to understand the origin and purpose of the pragmatist part and to work with it to balance it with the other parts of the internal system. By doing this; the pragmatist can be transformed from a source of inner conflict to a more integrated and harmonious part of the individual's internal system.

In abundant love and kindness for all gentle souls

Angela xox