Embodying Self through Body, Heart and Mind

Workshops, Groups and Training in Parts Work and Somatic Practices

Welcome to Embodying Self.

This is a professional space for practitioners who are drawn to work in a way that is grounded, relational, and deeply attuned to the intelligence of the system.

The work is informed primarily by Internal Family Systems (IFS), alongside Somatic Experiencing (SE) and Neuro-Affective Touch (NAT), and is rooted in an embodied and relational way of meeting experience - one that honours the pace, protective dynamics, and unfolding of each individual system.

“Embodying Self provided an exceptional learning experience for our trauma recovery team. Becoming IFS-informed has significantly enhanced our clinical work and outcomes for service users. Elise combines deep knowledge with embodied understanding, creating a rich and inspiring learning environment.”

—Sue Bell, OBE, DL (CEO and Clinical Director of Kids Inspire).

When presence is honoured through the body and mind, a more grounded and connected relationship with ourselves and others begins to emerge. From here, meaningful and sustainable change can unfold.

Practitioners from diverse therapeutic and healing backgrounds are welcome. Those working with mind, body, and relational process, who are interested in deepening both their clinical practice and their own inner experience..

Learning takes place through workshops, supervision groups, and ongoing development spaces, held both in person and online.

“Working at the pace and intelligence of your system”

A row of women sitting side by side, attentively listening, some holding phones, in a conference or meeting setting.

Training

These trainings offer a space to develop your understanding of parts work and to learn a new skill to integrate into your existing practice.

This online training is grounded in the principles of IFS, honouring the pace, protection, and intelligence of each system.

Practitioners from a range of therapeutic and healing backgrounds are welcome.

Learn More
Group of women sitting in a circle during a discussion or meeting in a room with wooden floors and a white wall with a colorful sign.
Group of women sitting in a circle during a discussion or meeting in a room with wooden floors and a white wall with a colorful sign.

Workshops

Our workshops offer an opportunity to explore embodied presence together.

Drawing on IFS and somatic practices, they create a space to work gently with parts in relationship through the body, through contact, and through shared presence.

Workshops are held by Embodying Self, alongside guest facilitators whose work aligns with this approach.

Learn More
Two women sitting in a meeting, one speaking and gesturing while the other listens, with papers in the hands of nearby participants. A television is in the background.
Two women sitting in a meeting, one speaking and gesturing while the other listens, with papers in the hands of nearby participants. A television is in the background.

Groups

These groups provide a space for ongoing learning, reflection, meditation and supervision within a supportive and collaborative environment.

Through live demonstrations, shared inquiry, meditations and consultation, the work is explored together, allowing a deeper understanding of how parts work unfolds in practice and personal experience.

Learn More

Our Story

Embodying Self was founded by Elise Parsons out of a deep recognition that meaningful healing and development involve the whole of our experience - Mind, Heart and Body in Presence.

Rooted in the principles of Internal Family Systems and informed by somatic and relational practice, this work is not only about learning a model, but about coming into a more direct, embodied relationship with yourself, so that what you offer others comes from a lived place and not just a mental construct.

‘Do you feel a quiet longing for a way of being that feels more honest, more connected, and more grounded?’ This work supports the development of that capacity, both within ourselves and in how we meet others; where people feel able to arrive as they are, with less need to perform, and more capacity to be real.

Black and white portrait of a woman with wavy shoulder-length hair, wearing a necklace and earrings, against a plain background.
Black and white portrait of a woman with wavy shoulder-length hair, wearing a necklace and earrings, against a plain background.

“At the heart of my work is a simple intention: to create spaces where we can come together, practise presence as we are, and grow in authenticity, developing confidence in ourselves and in relationship. In this way, what has been held can begin to unfold, and these new experiences can be carried into our work and our lives.”

Elise Parsons

Elise started her journey as a bodywork therapist in her early twenties, becoming a registered Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist in 2008. She built a highly successful practice in Bath based on treating the mind and body as one. In pursuit of a holistic approach to trauma therapy, she was drawn to the work of Dr Peter Levine and in 2015 she qualified as a Somatic Experiencing Trauma Therapist (SEP). This led her to a deep interest in the work of Richard C Schwartz PhD, the creator of IFS, and trained with the IFS Institute, becoming a level 3 certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) practitioner, and more recently Neuro-Affective Touch (NAT). Elise was the Co-founder of OneSelf Institute bringing training to practitioners in-person and online formats.

She has supported many IFS UK training courses as a member of their senior assisting staff and was inspired to create Embodying Self to bring Parts work and relational practices to practitioners from diverse therapeutic and healing backgrounds.

Being a fully qualified supervisor with Centre for Supervision Training and Development (CSTD), all sessions may be counted towards UKCP and BACP annual supervision requirements.

"I felt Elise’s depth of experience, both with the material and the deep spiritual enquiry; I enjoyed her presence, clarity, and lightness."

A black and brown stylized swirl or flame-like graphic on a white background.
A black and brown stylized swirl or flame-like graphic on a white background.

Embodying Self offers trainings that are informed by Internal Family Systems® principles and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the IFS® Institute.