Karissa Barker | Creative Process Blog
The Parts I Carry is a movement-based exploration of the Two-Chair Technique, which is a commonly used exercise in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. In this exercise, a person moves between two chairs to represent different parts of themselves, often split into roles that protect or hide their deeper wounds or feelings. These roles can become extreme when the person is trying to protect themselves from past trauma. The goal of the exercise is to bring more awareness to these aspects, create understanding between them and bring compassion to the parts that need healing.
I first learned about this technique from my psychologist a few years ago and it has been very insightful. Recently, during one of our sessions, the camera wasn't working so we continued without video. As she was guiding me through the two chair technique, I noticed my body was responding and moving more than usual, along with my verbal processing. I assume because I knew she couldn’t see me, I felt more comfortable moving around. I noticed and became more curious about how movement, sensations and feeling my bodies impulse reactions could aid the process. I asked; What information is inside my body that can’t be articulated by words? Can accessing these parts through movement cultivate a deeper connection, understanding, and awareness of self?
I started practicing this somatic movement variation of the two chair technique; moving back and forth between different sides of the room using half the space to physically react to the impulses generated by my core self and then the other half for the protective part. I experimented with moving in different states related to both my core self and protector self. In the early stages, I was (and still in a way am) only concerned and interested in exploring what is happening inside my body, what it feels like, rather than creating expectations of what it looks like. I also started drawing with a pen and seeing what emerges there when in the core self state and the protector state.
The image on the left shows a dancer standing with her arm extended out and her head twisting away from it. The middle image shows an open sketchbook, one page has jagged sharp scribbles and the other has soft and circular scribbles. The image on the right shows the dancer lying on her stomach with one knee bent, one hand spread out on the floor and the other curled up resting under her chin.
I took note of common sensations, gestures and movement patterns that naturally emerged, or found myself returning too. I noticed my core self carries a sense of patience, slowness, compassion, openness, willingness, gentleness, carefulness, and fullness. The protector part embodies states that are more rigid, scared, withdrawn, tense, uncomfortable, and broken. However, it isn't always clear cut or black and white. There is a complexity and nuance in a way that parts overlap and intertwine through the system of the body and mind, which becomes more apparent the more I practice and work with this concept.
A compilation of clips filmed during rehearsal for The Parts I Carry. The video cuts back and fourth between the soft embodiment of the core self and the rigid, tense nature of the protective part.
Music by Thomas Köner.
Concept, Performance & Video Edit by Karissa Barker.
Special Thanks to The Meaningful Movement for having me be a part of @profile, where I started this project, Sasha Ivanochko for her guidance and feedback, and to Aëris Korper for supporting this work through prospects: Here&Now!
This Curiosities blog was made by Karissa Barker, who is presenting her work “The Parts I Carry” in Aeris Körper’s 2025 Here&Now festival. Tickets can be purchased here.