Parts Party

This is a complex “integration role-play.” For one person, known as the “host,” the group stages a party for all of their personality parts.
These parts are represented by famous figures from the present or the past, each embodying either a positive or negative trait of the host. Thus, the host’s idealized self-image and negative self-image become visible simultaneously.
During this compact party situation, the host’s entirety—problems and potential—becomes apparent. The host’s approach to each of their personality parts is expressed physically. Conflicts or collaboration among the “guests” highlight how these parts relate to each other—and how they can evolve and unite into a whole.
The goal of a Parts Party is to better manage our many different internal parts and tendencies, turning them into resources for wholeness and congruence. Through the party, our inner resources are identified, transformed, and integrated.

Step 1

The coach and the party host must prepare.

1. As the coach, identify the host’s various parts and give them the names of famous people.
2. Choose adjectives to describe them.
3. Group those adjectives into categories.
4. Select role-players.

Step 2

Invite the parts to get to know one another!

1. Open the party by asking all parts to introduce themselves and interact.
2. Have them freeze in their current posture, notice the feelings in that moment.
3. Have the host confirm those feelings.
4. When they resume interaction, encourage them to exaggerate the emerging feelings.
5. Freeze them again and have them become aware of their feelings right then.
6. Ask the host to verify these feelings as well.

Step 3

Create a conflict!

1. Ask the parts to shape the party according to their preferences.
2. Allow one part to dominate the party.
3. Freeze all parts and have them identify their feelings.
4. The coach verifies these feelings with the host.

Step 4

Transform the conflict!

1. Ask the parts to interact until they reach cooperation.
2. Encourage them to co-create a harmonious state.
3. Ask them to accept one another.
4. Check the process with the host.

Step 5

Perform the integration ritual!

1. Have each part describe its resources and transformations.
2. Have each part ask the host to accept it.
3. Have the host accept and integrate them.
4. Finally, the host takes responsibility for all their parts, newly equipped with more choices and energy.