Hot off the press! I am delighted to announce that some of my words made it into a new, fresh, accessible and relatable introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS), written by Emma E Redfern and published by Sheldon Press.

About ‘Internal Family Systems, Making A Start and Getting Curious About Parts’ (from the back cover of the book):

“What if the key to self-acceptance isn’t about fixing things that are ‘wrong,’ but about listening, and responding to, the voices inside you?

Internal Family Systems, Making A Start (and Getting Curious) persuades us to step away from the idea of a single unified self, and instead to explore the rich, meaningful and profoundly influential inner world that shapes who we are.

Drawing on her clinical experience as a leading IFS professional, and on her personal journey, Emma E. Redfern introduces Internal Family Systems as a compassionate, curious and healing approach that sees our inner struggles not as signs of weakness, but as evidence of our mind’s curious creativity and resilience. Through case studies, metaphors and interactive exercises, she reveals how our ‘parts’ - from the inner critic to the anxious child - are not enemies to be silenced, but protectors and messengers longing to be heard….”

Emma’s Online Book Launch

On the 12th February 2026, I went to Emma’s online book launch. Hosted by John Wilson of Online Events. John orchestrated an informal and informative chat between Emma, her publisher Victoria Rodden from Sheldon Press and Ash Chudgar, Emma’s beta reader and critical friend (my term). 

Here’s some of what I learned in the book launch…

Internal Family Systems, Making A Start and Getting Curious About Parts is Emma’s fourth book and the first one to be specially commissioned (the others she had to pitch). It’s also one of the first IFS books to be written by a UK author. 

According to Victoria, Sheldon Press publishes trustworthy, inclusive and accessible self help books and Victoria felt Emma would be able to write a practical introduction to IFS that would support the values of Sheldon Press. Emma initially turned it down, as she was working on another book about curiosity, but eventually decided to bring some of her curiosity research into ‘Making A Start…” 

Emma brought Ash on board as much more than a beta reader. Emma’s previous books had been more academic in tone and Ash had helped Emma to find a more accessible voice for this one. Victoria explained that in order to touch the reader, it was important to bring the theory to life using examples, case studies and personal testimonies… That’s where my words come in!

My Words

I’d met Emma on my Level 1 IFS training back in 2023 where she was a Programme Assistant (PA). We then bumped into each other at various IFS events. Emma read my blog, ‘Facilitating At The Speed Of Fun,’ which I’d written after running a session at the British Association of Dramatherapists’ conference in 2024. Emma was tickled by the way I invite my inner parts to dialogue with each other on the page and asked if she could lift a section of my blog for her book.

I was over-the-moon to get some of my words in print! It’s been a long-held dream of mine to get something published in an actual real book. I know I publish words on this blog all the time, but my parts have held a lot of fear around having my words set in stone in a place that I can’t control. What if I grow beyond those words? Will I be defined and limited by their existence? 

These parts wish good things for me - they want me to have space to endlessly learn and evolve, but there are other parts who have been desperate to contribute to the collective wisdom on how to access good mental health through creativity and play, since I finished my Dramatherapy Masters in 2013! 

Meeting Emma’s gang at the book launch and listening to the process of how the book came together filled me with inspiration and awe. Maybe, with the right support in place, and with my parts all on board, maybe I could see a pathway to writing my own book one day…

Congratulations to Emma and team for bringing this book into the world, I’m honoured to be part of it!

If you’re thinking of buying a copy of Internal Family Systems; Making A Start and Getting Curious About Parts, there is alternative to Amazon! Psychological Therapy Books online retailer is offering a discounted price here.