There are now many clinical approaches that conceptualize inner emotional conflicts as including tensions between different “ego states” or “subpersonalities” of the human mind. One of the most popular ego state approaches is Dr. Richard Schwartz’s Internal Family Systems Model (IFSM), and in this approach distinct ego states  are referred to as "parts". IFSM describes how the patterns and roles found in families and in other social groups or organizations have an analogous template in the domain of mental functioning-- where our inner psychological system includes parts that serve specific roles and purposes, and where there is often antagonism as well as alliances between specific parts.

IFSM includes the profound affirmation that we all have a core Self that is the source of the following capital "C" qualities: Compassion, Creativity, Curiosity, Connectedness, Courage, Confidence, Clarity, and Calm (Schwartz, 2001). These Self qualities are the basis of my practice logo in the upper left hand corner of each web page. The "C' stands for all the Self qualities, and it is set against what I call the Compass of Compassion-- a symbol of how when we are Self-led we can step back, gain a clearer sense of direction, and help our inner parts navigate murky or choppy emotional waters.