Living with Depression: The Power of Internal Family Systems and Self-Acceptance

Giving Voice to Depression

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2M ago 28:06

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In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Eric shares his deeply personal journey of living under the crushing weight of depression and how he found a path toward healing. Instead of fighting against his pain, Eric discovered the transformative power of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, which allowed him to engage with his depression in a new, compassionate way. Through personifying his struggle as a “boulder” and learning to soften toward the parts of himself he once rejected, Eric uncovered resilience, rootedness, and a renewed sense of hope.

Listeners will hear how acceptance, rather than resistance, opened the door to healing and how reframing depression as a protective force instead of an enemy helped Eric move forward with faith and curiosity. This conversation is a reminder that healing from depression is not about eradicating symptoms but learning to live with compassion for all parts of ourselves.

Primary Topics Covered:

Eric’s experience of living with the “boulder” of depression
The difference between intellectualizing depression and doing emotional “heartwork”
How Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy works and its role in healing
Shifting from resistance to acceptance in managing depression
The role of self-compassion and “softening” in recovery
Finding rootedness, faith, and curiosity when hope feels out of reach

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to the episode and mission of the podcast
01:13 – Eric describes the crushing weight of depression
02:22 – Signs of emerging from a prolonged depressive period
04:28 – The importance of allowing grief and honest feelings
05:37 – Eric’s metaphor of depression as a boulder
07:40 – The added burden of shame in depression
09:28 – Moving from intellectualizing depression to emotional “heartwork”
10:04 – Discovering Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy
12:47 – Personifying depression as “Atlas” holding the boulder
14:12 – Reframing depression through compassion and acceptance
15:38 – Eric finds faith, rootedness, and curiosity
18:19 – The power of grace and self-compassion in healing
20:10 – Letting go of expectations and embracing groundedness
23:45 – Reflections on diagnosis, stigma, and compassion for differences
25:32 – Understanding feelings as information and depression’s role in deepening care
27:04 – Closing thoughts on resilience, growth, and ongoing healing

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