Publications
Dancing in the Relational Field: When and How to Balance Between Direct Access and Insight
Max Littman, LCSW September 11, 2024 In my experience, the traditional IFS approach alone can sometimes be inadequate for healing in certain clients. These clients often have internal systems with such intense and effective internal protection that accessing insight and Self energy feels nearly impossible. This level of internal protection is always justified by theRead more
Mate Assessor Parts
Max Littman, LCSW September 9, 2024 A common part that often goes unnoticed unless named in sessions addressing mating issues is a part that evaluates whether a potential mate will fulfill the internal system’s various needs. These needs typically include intellectual, financial, physical, sexual, emotional, social, spiritual, and logistical dimensions. While only a small fractionRead more
Gifts and Losses
Max Littman, LCSW September 8, 2024 A neglected aspect of the tragedy of accumulating burdens is the concealment of the innate gifts of our parts and the prevention of their growth. I do not believe we are born into any one calling, but I do believe we are born with certain strengths, tendencies, gifts, andRead more
Attunement: A Way of Understanding and Accessing Self Energy
Max Littman, LCSW June 30, 2024 In the following article, I focus on attunement as a way of understanding and accessing Self energy. It will address the importance of attunement, how it functions, and how to attune to parts from Self energy. A practical guide for how to attune from Self energy is included. AsRead more
Unlocking the Potential of Your Private Practice Through IFS
How IFS can help you build and sustain your private psychotherapy practice. Max Littman, LCSW June 20, 2024 Introduction The following article is intended to support therapists build, improve, and sustain their private practices through the framework of IFS. It addresses what parts of your internal system you may need to rely upon andRead more
A Conversation with My Writer/Editor Part
Max Littman, LCSW June 13, 2024 The following conversation between myself and my writer/editor part is shared with the intentions of helping others connect with their own and other people’s internal systems and in helping my own parts feel in connection with the IFS and broader communities. Me: Hi. Writer/Editor Part (W/E): Hi there. Me:Read more
Trump: America’s Unattached Burden
What Bob Falconer’s approach to UBs can teach us about Trump, his supporters, and our American community. Max Littman, LCSW June 4, 2024 Trigger warning: this article discusses Donald Trump. My parts have very strong reactions to Donald Trump. I imagine most people’s parts do too. My parts’ primary reactions are fear and anger. TheRead more
The Hope of Inner Physics
Max Littman, LCSW May 26, 2024 Dick Schwartz mentioned some time ago that he wanted to write a book on the physics of the internal world. I wish I could fully remember where and when he made this statement, but the idea has lingered with me. A part of me is still wishing for thisRead more
A Method For Identifying, Extracting, and Releasing Burdens
Max Littman, LCSW October 29, 2023 Martha Sweezy’s recent book on shame and guilt (in my view a seminal work in the IFS catalog) illustrates the perspective that most, if not all, burdens are rooted in shame. To a certain extent, I agree with this claim. I would add that powerlessness is the core ingredientRead more
Music as a Trailhead: How Parts are Affected by and Use Music
Max Littman, LCSW September 24, 2023 This article covers ideas about how music can be used to understand aspects of the human experience and mind, and ways to think about music when using Internal Family Systems (IFS) as a modality for therapy. I draw from my experiences as a gay man, a therapist, a filmmaker,Read more
Working with Parts Affected by Organic Bipolar and Psychotic Disorders
Max Littman, LCSW September 12, 2023 If you are interested in learning more about integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS) in therapy with people affected by bipolar and psychotic disorders, please read on. I recommend having a baseline understanding of IFS before proceeding. My intent here is to share what I’ve learned experientially in working with
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