The Biology of Parts
Understanding the physiological and biochemical foundations of parts, Self, and coherence through the lens of IFS, Polyvagal Theory, and psychoneuroimmunology.
Have you ever wondered what’s happening in the body when a part takes over — or when your client shifts into Self?
This workshop bridges the inner world of IFS with the outer language of physiology. We’ll explore how emotions, inflammation, and the autonomic nervous system form an intricate, bi-directional system — one that shapes the way we feel, think, and heal.
What We’ll Explore
What “Self” looks like in physiological and biochemical terms — and how coherence manifests in the body.
The inflammatory reflex and how vagal signalling orchestrates immune, endocrine, and emotional regulation.
The polyvagal ladder as a continuum of metabolic and inflammatory states.
The role of mast cells as a bridge between emotion, immunity, and energy.
How organ systems (gut, liver, gallbladder, adrenals, heart, pancreas) participate in emotional and energetic states.
The concept of “parts” as biochemical states, each with distinct neurochemical and metabolic signatures.
A guided HeartMath-style coherence practice to integrate the material.
Who It’s For
This workshop is designed for IFS practitioners, counsellors, therapists, and mind–body clinicians who want to understand the biochemical dimension of parts work — and how this knowledge can deepen attunement, pacing, and integration in clinical practice.
Format & Details
Duration: 2 hours (including Q&A and short break)
Date: Wednesday 22nd October 7 - 9 pm AEDT
Location: Live online via Zoom
Price: $30 pp
Replay: Available to all attendees post-workshop
The Facilitator
Lou Chalmer is a nutrigenomics consultant, HeartMath practitioner, and psychosomatic counsellor with a background in environmental science and training in Internal Family Systems. Her work bridges biology and inner experience, helping people understand how physiology, emotion, and Self connect through systems thinking.
Key Takeaways
By the end of this workshop, you’ll have:
A clear understanding of how emotional states correspond with physiological and biochemical patterns.
A new framework for conceptualising parts as metabolic states — not just psychological ones.
Practical insights for integrating body awareness and coherence practices into your IFS work.
If you’re curious about the meeting point between body, Self, and parts, this workshop offers a space to explore that connection with depth, nuance, and practicality.
