We're All Multiples: Bridging IFS and the Plural Community with Dick Schwartz and Tiffany "Ocean" Morgan

I’m so thrilled to welcome Dick Schwartz, the founder of Internal Family Systems (IFS), back to the podcast, as well as my friend Ocean, who brings her voice and lived experience to this important conversation.

Today, we explore the intersection between IFS and the plural community--those living with DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder) and OSDD (Other Specified Dissociative Disorders). What’s the difference between DI parts and the IFS parts many of us talk about? How can we bridge misunderstandings between the IFS community and those living with more distinct parts? 

This conversation was deeply moving and healing. I’m so grateful to both Dick and Ocean for their honesty, wisdom, and compassion.

In this episode, we explore:

• The differences and overlap between DI parts and IFS parts

• Why the plural community has sometimes felt unseen and misunderstood by IFS

• The harm in labeling parts as managers, firefightes and exiles

• The complicated relationship many survivors have with Self Energy

• Strategies for working with systems shaped by deep trauma

• Why trust, patience, and honoring every part is a prerequisite to healing

 

Be sure to watch the extended video interview with Dick and Ocean over on our Substack. 

 

Favorite Quotes:

“IFS was never meant to pathologize people. It was meant to honor the fact that all of us are multiple, and that those parts aren’t what they seem.” — Dick Schwartz

"There’s a huge difference between saying, 'Your parts are managers, firefighters, and exiles,' and saying, 'I’m noticing some of your parts seem to be taking on these roles to protect you.'" — Ocean 

 

About Tiffany "Ocean" Morgan

Tiffany Morgan (Ocean) is a Certified IFS therapist, consultant, and educator with lived experience of OSDD (Otherwise Specified Dissociative Disorder). She specializes in eating disorders, complex PTSD, and dissociative disorders, and brings over 30 years of experience to her work supporting deep healing and system-wide trust.

She is passionate about destigmatizing DID, neurodivergence, and the multiplicity of mind. She creates compassionate, inclusive spaces where all parts are welcome and seen. She also shares resources and reflections through her platform, tidesoftransformation.com, and co-sponsors the podcast .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}