The Keys to Making Parts Integration Work in Coaching

This pattern is used for simultaneous incongruity.  Sequential incongruity indicates a values conflict rather than a parts conflict.

Using the pattern overtly

This pattern is most easily used overtly.  It is possible to do it, to some extent, covertly but to get the real benefit of it I think that the client needs to be aware of the intervention.

The keys, as with using the pattern for yourself, are in awareness of internal conflict, rapport with the unconscious and the ability to chunk up.

Be aware that when you do it well, this pattern will induce a degree of trance.  If you are confident in the use of hypnotic techniques you can deepen the trance with arm catalepsy.

The key to the whole pattern is your ability to communicate with the client’s unconscious mind and create the necessary dissociation from the parts.  It will increase the rapport and co-operation between the client’s conscious and unconscious and is therefore a great technique to use with someone who is still getting to grips with the idea of the unconscious.  You will, however, need strong rapport to do that!

Identify the conflict and the parts involved.

1. It may be obvious from the language the client uses to describe the situation. For example, ‘part of me wants to go on holiday but part of me wants to just stay at home and enjoy my garden’ or ‘part of me wants to go for promotion but part of me is worried about the extra responsibility’.
2. Also pay attention to non-verbal cues. The classic gesture of weighing up options on two hands often indicates a parts conflict.  There may also be subtle changes in voice tone related to the parts.
3. Alternatively, it may seem that there is only one part involved, for example when there is an unwanted behaviour or habit. ‘I can’t seem to stop myself’, might be an indicator in that case.
4. The indicator of a part being involved is when behaviour is being driven by beliefs or values that are only present some of the time.
5. It’s worth spending time at this stage to get really clear about the problem. (Have a look at the videos of the coaching demonstrations in this section)

Have the part that represents the unwanted state or behaviour come out on the hand first.

1. In a two-part conflict, there is usually one part that is driving behaviour or experience that is unwanted, with the other part being in line with overall outcomes and values. Start by asking this first part to ‘come out and stand on one of your hands’.  You must be totally congruent about this instruction, especially with a client who is new to the process because you are essentially asking them to engage in an act of imagination and to access a trance state.
2. If both parts seem to be equally wanted or unwanted in relation to the client’s overall outcomes and values then start with the one that seems to have most energy associated with it.
3. The key to this stage is dissociation from the part. Treat it like a separate person.
4. If you are confident in hypnotic techniques, induce arm catalepsy by using ambiguous touch at this stage. You can introduce it by saying, ‘let me show you how to hold your arm and hand…’  This isn’t just showing off, it will actually be more comfortable for the client if the process takes time to complete (and it often does!)

Have the second part come out onto the other hand.

1. Ask for the ‘part that this first part is most in conflict with’ to come out and stand on the other hand.
2. This may or may not be the part you originally identified as the second part. The first part could be in conflict with several other parts (especially if it’s driving some extreme behaviour) so we’re looking for the one where the conflict is greatest because that will get the greatest shift and results.
3. Induce arm catalepsy in the other arm too. (or if you prefer you can do both at once after getting both parts out).

Make sure that the client has a V-A-K image of each part.

1. Ask, ‘Does this part look like someone you know?’ If so, who? This question contains a presupposition that the part looks like a person.  Usually it does, and I find it easier to deal with a part that looks/behaves like a person than, for example ‘a fluffy pink cloud’ or ‘a ball of wax’.  However, if the client says it looks like something other than a person, it’s the client’s map of the world…
2. Ask, ‘How does this part feel in your hand?’ Ask about weight, temperature, pressure.
3. Ask, ‘Does this part have anything to say to you?’ If so, what?
4. Build up a clear representation of each part separately. Taking time to establish this representation reinforces the dissociation from the part.

Separate intention from behaviour.

1. Beginning with the first part, ask the part, ‘What is your purpose in ___________?’ For example, ‘What is your purpose in wanting to go for promotion?’  Sometimes the client will respond, ‘I don’t know what it’s purpose is’.  If this happens instruct the client, ‘Ask the part.’  This re-establishes the dissociation.

Reframe each part so that they realise that they actually have the same intention by chunking up — ask, “What is the intention …” or “For what purpose …”

1. Chunk up on the answer by asking, ‘For what purpose?’ and keep on chunking up until you reach a value. If you get into a loop, then string together everything in the loop and ask, ‘for what purpose?’
2. Do the same for the second part until you get to the same value.
3. Typically, one part will take longer to chunk up to a value than the other

What resources or attributes does each part have that the other part would like to have?

1. Speaking directly to the parts, have the parts turn and look at each other. Instruct them each to notice that the other part has skills, attributes or resources that could be useful in achieving their common purpose.
2. If the hands begin to come together at this point, draw the client’s attention to it.

Now, have the parts notice they were once part of a larger whole.

1. Address the parts together, saying, ‘Notice that you were both once part of a larger whole’. This acknowledges that the part was created by dividing off from the unconscious mind and begins the process of re-integration.

Bring the hands together.

1. By this time the client’s hands and arms are likely to be completely cataleptic and therefore beyond conscious control. Instruct the client, ‘allow your hands to come together only as quickly as the parts can understand how to work together to achieve __(the common value)__’.
2. Watch and wait as the hands come together. Maintain rapport with the client and acknowledge their inability to influence the hands consciously.  Remember that the first time a person experiences this it can be slightly alarming!  Ensure that this process gets all the time needed.

Take the integrated part inside.

1. Have the client bring the integrated part back inside, in whatever way feels right to them.

Test & future pace. (you know how to do this!)