

Polina Roussou Internal Family Systems and the Dialogical Self Therapy Connection
In this podcast episode, psychologist Polina Roussou explores the intersection between Dialogical Self Theory (DST) and the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model. Roussou explains how IFS conceptualizes the human psyche as a multiplicity of autonomous sub-personalities or "parts," all organized around a core center of wisdom known as the Self. Distinct from conventional frameworks, IFS emphasizes embodied awareness and radical self-acceptance toward our most conflicted aspects, including protective managers and exiled, traumatized parts. The conversation culminates in a live therapeutic demonstration where the host explores a personal "part"—a deeply creative yet exhausting internal driver. This session vividly demonstrates how offering compassion and recognition to our internal voices leads to a more balanced, integrated way of being. Ultimately, the discussion underscores that psychotherapy aims to unburden these rigid internal roles, empowering individuals to navigate the complexity of their identity with greater resilience and flexibility.










