###### Protectors sometimes need to be Witnessed and Unburdened[^1] The parts forced to become extreme [[💡 Protector Parts]] (like [[Rage]], [[🛡️ Criticizing]], [[🛡️ Addiction or Dependency]]) often have either hurt other parts or other people and frequently have [[💡 Anger|anger]], [[💡 Grief|grief]], and [[💡 Shame|shame]] that needs to be [[💡 Witnessing|💡 Witnessed]] and [[💡 Unburdening|Unburdened]] because of what they've had to do. These parts did what no other part wanted to, and then they were hated by other parts of the ecosystem and other parts in the world. But [[🔑 There are no bad Parts]] — they didn't want to do what they had to. They often carry a similar energy the person's caregivers might have carried. Don’t worry about figuring out which protectors need to be witnessed and unburdened — it’ll become clear when the time is right. [^1]: [[📖 ✅ IFS Online Circle]] Month 5 - Parts of the Therapist and the Therapeutic Relationship + Integration - Protectors that Need to be Witnessed and Unburdened