THE INNER VILLAGE & VOICE DIALOGUE
Frequently Asked Questions
About the work
1. What is The Inner Village?
The Inner Village is the name I give to the living community of different parts within us, each with its own perspectives, feelings, needs, protective strategies, qualities and resources.
Some parts feel familiar, while others may have quietly slipped into the background. Sometimes different parts of us want conflicting things, and we can find ourselves responding in ways we don’t fully understand.
Through awareness, embodied exploration and relationship, we can begin to recognise these different parts, listen to their perspectives and discover how to relate to them with greater choice.
My work brings together Voice Dialogue, the Psychology of Selves and different forms of embodied exploration, expression and play.
The invitation is not to become someone different, but to become more familiar with the richness and diversity already living within us.
2. What is Discover Your Inner Village?
Discover Your Inner Village is a two-day foundational workshop offering practical ways to recognise, explore and relate to the different parts of ourselves.
We begin by slowing down, arriving in our bodies, noticing what we are experiencing and becoming more aware of our needs.
From there, we learn how to recognise different parts, give them a voice and an embodied place, step into their experience and step back again.
We also learn to excavate and constellate inner resources, explore a more centred place from which to relate to our parts, and begin practising how to guide and witness one another.
The weekend offers a supportive structure for exploring your Inner Village, one you can gradually make your own and return to in everyday life.
3. What is the relationship between The Inner Village, Voice Dialogue and Fool Expression?
The Inner Village is the wider name for my body of work, bringing together different pathways of awareness, embodied exploration, relationship, resources, expression and play.
Voice Dialogue, developed by Hal and Sidra Stone, is an established practice and an important foundation of my work. It also has its own individual sessions and training pathway.
Fool Expression is part of the history and development of my approach, particularly the more spontaneous, expressive and playful aspects of the work.
Over the years, these different influences have helped shape how I explore and facilitate the Inner Village.
You may still come across the name Fool Expression in older workshop descriptions, videos and participant testimonials.
4. How is this work connected to IFS and other approaches to parts work?
Different approaches, including Voice Dialogue and Internal Family Systems (IFS), recognise that we are not simply one fixed personality and that different parts of ourselves can carry different perspectives, feelings and needs.
They have their own theories, methods and ways of facilitating this exploration.
My work is primarily rooted in Voice Dialogue and the Psychology of Selves, alongside embodied, relational and expressive practices that have influenced the development of Fool Expression and The Inner Village.
Although there are connections between these approaches, I don’t treat them as interchangeable.
5. Do I need any previous experience?
No previous experience with Voice Dialogue, parts work, movement, theatre or personal-development workshops is necessary for Discover Your Inner Village.
The foundational weekend is designed to introduce the work gradually, giving you practical ways to begin recognising and exploring your own Inner Village.
If you’ve already explored parts work, meditation, therapy or embodied practices, you may find familiar elements alongside a different way of approaching them.
Taking part in a workshop
6. I want to come, but part of me feels hesitant. Is that normal?
Yes. It’s very understandable to feel curious about a workshop while also noticing hesitation, uncertainty or a part of yourself that would rather stay away.
We don’t need to assume what that hesitation means, or treat it as something you must overcome.
One of the foundations of this work is learning to notice what different parts of us are experiencing and what they might need.
There is room to arrive as you are, take your time and make choices about your participation.
If you’re unsure whether the workshop is right for you, you’re welcome to get in touch beforehand.
7. What happens during a typical day?
We usually begin by arriving together, slowing down and becoming more aware of our bodies, our needs and what is present for us.
Through guided explorations, we learn how to recognise different parts of ourselves, give them a voice and an embodied place, and explore their perspectives.
We practise moving into the experience of a part and stepping back into a more centred position, without rejecting what we’ve discovered.
There is also time to excavate and explore inner resources, practise witnessing and guiding one another, and begin discovering how these foundations can support more spontaneous expression and play.
The rhythm includes breaks, rest and opportunities to check in with our needs.
Each workshop has its own shape, and the pace is adapted to the group.
8. Will I have to perform or act in front of other people?
No. Discover Your Inner Village is not an acting or performance workshop, and you don’t need to entertain anyone or express yourself in a particular way.
Some explorations may involve movement, voice or embodied expression, while others are quieter and more subtle.
The intention is to become more familiar with our own experience, not to produce something for others to watch or judge.
There is room for play, but no expectation that you should feel playful.
9. What if I feel shy, self-conscious or vulnerable?
Those experiences are welcome in the exploration too.
A part of you might want to participate while another feels uncomfortable being seen. You may notice a wish to hide, to observe or to take things slowly.
We can become curious about these different experiences without needing to change them immediately.
I encourage participants to stay in relationship with their own needs and boundaries, and to make choices about how they engage.
The group can offer opportunities for witnessing, listening and connection, while respecting each person’s individual experience.
10. Who comes to these workshops?
People arrive from many different backgrounds and for many different reasons.
Some are curious about understanding themselves more deeply or recognising familiar patterns in their lives. Others are drawn to embodied exploration, creativity, expression or the experience of being part of a group.
Some work professionally with people, while others simply want to explore their own inner world.
You don’t need to identify as creative, spiritual, theatrical or particularly expressive to take part.
What matters is a willingness to approach the exploration with curiosity and respect for yourself and others.
11. Is the workshop suitable if I have experienced trauma or am struggling with my mental health?
Discover Your Inner Village is an experiential workshop, not a substitute for psychotherapy, trauma treatment or mental-health care.
Parts exploration, embodied practices and group experiences can sometimes bring up strong feelings or unexpected responses.
I aim to offer a thoughtful, well-held environment with attention to pacing, consent, choice and individual needs. However, no group setting can guarantee that every experience will feel comfortable or manageable.
If you are currently experiencing significant psychological distress, acute symptoms or uncertainty about whether this kind of group work is appropriate, I encourage you to discuss it with your treating professional and contact me before booking.
We can explore whether the workshop is likely to be suitable and whether the setting can reasonably support your needs.
12. What might I take away from the workshop?
Everyone’s experience is different, and there is no single outcome.
You may leave with a clearer understanding of how different parts of you appear in everyday situations, or with more familiarity with qualities and resources that are available within you.
You may discover new questions about your inner world, experience different ways of relating to a familiar pattern, or simply appreciate having given yourself time to explore.
One important part of the workshop is learning a practical structure that you can continue using beyond the weekend.
You can also read participants’ reflections on the Testimonials page to hear about their own experiences.
Practical information
13. Do I need to attend an introductory evening before coming to Discover Your Inner Village?
No. You can attend the foundational weekend without having participated in an introductory evening.
An evening introduction can be a lovely opportunity to encounter some of the ideas and practices before joining a longer workshop, but it is not a requirement.
14. Can I come for just one day of a weekend workshop?
The foundational workshop is designed as a two-day journey, with the second day building on the experiences and practices introduced on the first.
For this reason, participants are normally expected to attend the full weekend.
If you have particular circumstances that make this difficult, please contact me before booking so we can discuss whether participation would be appropriate.
15. Where do the workshops take place, and are they accessible?
Workshops take place in different locations, and each event page includes the venue address and practical information.
Accessibility varies depending on the venue, so please get in touch if you have particular access requirements.
I am happy to discuss what may be possible, including seating, movement needs, breaks or other adjustments.
I cannot guarantee that every venue or workshop format will meet every access need, but I want people to have clear information before deciding whether to attend.
16. What should I wear or bring?
Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move and rest easily.
Depending on the workshop and venue, it may be helpful to bring water, warm layers, a notebook, and anything that supports your comfort during the day.
Food arrangements vary between events, so please check the information provided for your particular workshop.
You don’t need to bring any special equipment or prepare anything in advance unless this is mentioned in your booking information.
17. How many people attend, and what is the group format?
Group size varies depending on the workshop, venue and nature of the exploration.
Discover Your Inner Village usually takes place in a smaller group, allowing time for guided practices, individual exploration, witnessing and working with others.
There may be moments of whole-group sharing, partnered explorations and personal reflection.
The group is a place of shared learning, but each person’s experience remains their own. We practise witnessing one another without assuming that we know what another person’s experience means.
Please check the individual event page or contact me if you’d like to know the expected group size.
18. Can I attend with a friend or partner?
Yes. You are welcome to attend with someone you know.
Each person needs to make their own booking and have the freedom to explore at their own pace.
You may sometimes work with different people during the workshop, rather than always being paired with the person you came with.
This can help each participant have their own experience within the group.
19. How do I book a workshop?
You can find upcoming dates through the Calendar page on my website.
Each workshop has its own booking page with information about the location, dates, contribution options and how to reserve your place.
Please read the practical information and booking terms before making a payment.
If you have questions about the workshop or your circumstances, you’re welcome to contact me at contact@christieanimas.com.
20. Do you offer different contribution levels, deposits or payment arrangements?
Some workshops offer different contribution levels, such as an early-bird price, a standard contribution and an abundant contribution for those who are able and wish to contribute more.
Depending on the event, a deposit or payment arrangement may also be available.
The contribution options and payment deadlines are specified on each booking page.
If finances are a barrier, you are welcome to contact me to ask whether a supported place or payment arrangement is available.
Availability may vary from one event to another.
21. What happens if I need to cancel or cannot attend?
Each workshop has its own booking conditions, including information about deposits, cancellations, refunds and any possible transfers.
Please read these terms carefully before booking.
If your circumstances change, contact me as soon as possible so we can discuss the applicable terms and any options available.
Booking conditions remain subject to your statutory consumer rights.
Continuing the journey
22. What can I explore after Discover Your Inner Village?
Discover Your Inner Village offers a foundation for continuing to explore the many parts, qualities and resources within us.
Some people choose to deepen their experience through longer workshops, retreats and the different stages of the Player’s Track.
Others are drawn towards individual Voice Dialogue sessions or experiential training.
There is no single route through the work, and no expectation that you need to move through every offering.
You are welcome to follow what interests you and what feels appropriate for your life and circumstances.
23. What is the difference between a Discover Your Inner Village workshop and an individual Voice Dialogue session?
Discover Your Inner Village is a group workshop offering a practical introduction to recognising, experiencing and relating to different parts of ourselves.
We learn a structure for exploring our Inner Village, including embodied awareness, resourcing, moving into and stepping back from parts, witnessing and guiding one another.
An individual Voice Dialogue session offers a more focused exploration of your own inner selves, facilitated through the established Voice Dialogue process.
Voice Dialogue gives particular attention to the perspectives of different selves, their relationships and the development of the Aware Ego Process.
Both can support greater awareness, but they have different formats and purposes.
You can explore either pathway independently.
24. Do you offer Voice Dialogue training?
Yes. I offer experiential Voice Dialogue training with two colleagues for people interested in deepening their understanding and practice of Voice Dialogue and the Psychology of Selves.
Training can be relevant both to personal exploration and to people who work professionally with others, depending on their background and the level of training.
The training is distinct from the Discover Your Inner Village foundational workshop.
It is not, by itself, a qualification to practise psychotherapy.
You can find further information on the Voice Dialogue Training page or contact me to discuss your interests.
www.voicedialogueawareness.co.uk
25. Is Fool Expression still part of the work?
Yes. Fool Expression remains an important part of the history and development of my approach, especially in relation to embodied expression, improvisation, creativity and play.
The Fool has been a meaningful companion in exploring how we relate to the unknown, to uncertainty and to the different qualities that may emerge within us.
The Inner Village has now become the wider name for the work, making room for the foundations of Voice Dialogue alongside the more expressive and playful pathways.
Fool Expression hasn’t simply disappeared. It remains part of the lineage and ongoing exploration, without needing to be the starting point for everyone.
Still have questions?
You are very welcome to get in touch if you would like to know more about a workshop, individual Voice Dialogue sessions or training.
Email: contact@christieanimas.com
You can also explore the upcoming workshops and training through the Calendar.
Welcome to the Inner Village.
Thank you for being here 🙂