Welcome to Whole Self,
the IFS journal for post-traumatic growth and creative reclamation. We believe that your whole self carries the wisdom and medicine you need to live a meaningful, creative life after complex trauma. This process is called post-traumatic growth, a term coined by psychologists Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun, that refers to the possibility for psychological and spiritual development after trauma.
This is a journal for healers, creatives, and anyone interested in parts work.
Parts work is a practice of getting into relationship with the various "parts", or archetypes, sub-personalities, or versions of yourself, through compassionate awareness and curious attention. This practice is reflected in different therapy approaches such as Jungian theory, Inner Relationship Focusing, and most notably, Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), an approach in which I am trained. Parts work helps you heal the roots of trauma and integrate the messages and gifts of your internal system.
I'm the founder and writer, Sarah Ann Saeger, licensed IFS therapist, writer, and yoga teacher.
I share psychoeducation and reflections on complex trauma recovery, parts work, and the healing journey on my Instagram account with over 100,000 followers. Additionally, I have a forthcoming IFS and complex trauma recovery self-help book to be published in 2026 by New Harbinger Publications. I embrace IFS as a powerful model of healing and living, and I am passionate about sharing it here!
Once you subscribe to the journal, every Monday you will receive a publication delivered to your email. Publications focus on themes related to IFS, complex trauma recovery, and embodied, creative practice. Paid subscribers get access to exclusive offerings and publications, the community chat and parts work check-in every Sunday, and bespoke parts work practices on the third Sunday of the month. I appreciate your support in the journal and thank you for reading me in any capacity that you do.
Your whole self is welcome here — and we’re so glad to have you.
~S
FOR PAID SUBSCRIBERS:
Thank you for supporting the journal! Paid subscribers get access to the following:
IFS & Trauma-Focused Essays - Throughout the month, you will receive essays focused on relevant IFS and trauma-focused concepts to support ongoing study.
Bespoke Parts Work Practices - On the third Sunday of the month, you'll receive handcrafted, IFS-inspired parts work practices to support ongoing study.
Downloadable PDFs & Toolkits - Paid subscribers will receive occasional downloadable resources reflecting creative and embodied parts work practices.
Community Access - You are encouraged to participate in the chat every Monday where we engage in a “Parts Work Check-In Practice.”
Subscriber-Only Discounts to Offerings and Free Events -- Paid subscribers will receive free and discounted access to events led by Sarah once a quarter.
