How to Find an IFS Therapist in Missouri
A compassionate guide to getting started with IFS therapy in Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, and beyond
If you're exploring options for IFS therapy in Missouri, you may already have a sense that your inner world matters—that healing doesn’t just happen on the surface. Internal Family Systems therapy (IFS) is a powerful, research-supported model that helps people better understand their thoughts, emotions, and inner Parts so they can live more aligned with their true Self.
Whether you’re just starting to learn about IFS or you’re ready to begin your search for a therapist in Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, or anywhere in Missouri, this guide will walk you through what to look for, what to expect, and how to get started.
What is IFS?
Internal Family Systems, or IFS, is a therapy model developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz. At its core, IFS is based on the idea that we all have multiple “Parts” within us—each with its own thoughts, emotions, and intentions—and a core “Self” that can lead with compassion and clarity.
Even if you're just learning about IFS, some of these ideas might already sound familiar. Maybe you’ve caught yourself saying things like, “Part of me wants to move on, but another part is still angry,” or “I just can’t get past this critical voice in my head.” IFS takes that inner experience seriously—and offers a structured, supportive way to work with it.
In IFS therapy, all Parts are welcome. There are no bad Parts—just parts trying to help in the only ways they know how, often based on past experiences. With the help of a trained therapist, you can begin to understand these Parts, help them trust you, and start leading your life more from your calm, grounded Self.
Is IFS a Legitimate Therapy?
Yes—IFS is not only legitimate, it's a rapidly growing, evidence-supported approach to therapy. While it may sound different from more traditional models, IFS is used by thousands of licensed therapists around the world, including those trained in trauma, anxiety, depression, and more.
In fact, IFS is especially respected for its application in trauma treatment. A 2021 randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma found that IFS significantly reduced PTSD symptoms in participants compared to a waitlist control group.
Beyond the research, many people find IFS transformative because it’s non-pathologizing. That means we don’t view your reactions, symptoms, or internal conflicts as something “wrong” with you—but rather as signs that some Part of you is trying (often desperately) to protect you or meet a need.
The IFS model is increasingly included in advanced trainings for trauma clinicians, and many therapists pursue Level 1 or higher training through the IFS Institute. It’s not just a trend—it’s a model built on respect, curiosity, and deep healing.
Who is IFS Therapy Best For?
IFS therapy is a great fit for people who feel emotionally stuck—even if they’re insightful or have done a lot of personal work. If you’ve ever felt like you’re at war with yourself or like you sabotage your own progress, IFS offers a compassionate and clear way forward.
IFS may be a good fit for you if:
You struggle with anxiety, depression, or trauma
You feel pulled in different directions by conflicting inner thoughts or emotions
You have a harsh inner critic or feel stuck in shame
You often try to control your emotions—or avoid them entirely
You’ve tried other types of therapy but want something deeper and more relational
You long to feel more compassion for yourself and understand why you react the way you do
At Aspire Counseling, our Missouri IFS therapists work with adults who are ready to slow down, turn inward, and build a new relationship with their inner world. Many of our clients are thoughtful, self-aware, and have high expectations of themselves—and they’re often carrying internal burdens they’ve never been allowed to set down.
What Does an IFS Session Look Like?
If you’re new to Internal Family Systems therapy, it’s normal to wonder what actually happens during a session.
Unlike some therapy models that jump right into skills or symptom tracking, IFS takes a slower, more internal approach. That doesn’t mean it’s passive—it means you and your therapist are building trust with your inner system and following its pace.
A typical IFS session may begin with a check-in and then shift toward gently exploring what’s happening inside. Your therapist might invite you to notice a thought, emotion, or body sensation and then ask curious, compassionate questions like:
“Can you sense where that feeling is in your body?”
“Is there a Part of you that’s feeling that way?”
“How do you feel toward that Part?”
As you notice your internal world, you’ll begin to meet your “Parts”—inner voices or patterns that carry emotions, memories, or protective roles. Over time, your therapist will support you in building relationships with those Parts and helping them trust your Self—the calm, centered leader within you.
At Aspire Counseling, we go at your pace. There’s no pressure to “do it right.” You don’t have to know how to explain your inner world—we’ll help you slow down, listen, and discover what your system wants you to know. Some sessions might feel deeply emotional, while others might be quiet, curious, or even playful.
What matters most is that every part of you is welcome.
How to Find a Good IFS Therapist?
IFS is a specific, structured therapy model that requires training beyond a general counseling degree. If you’re looking for IFS therapy in Missouri, it’s important to make sure the therapist you’re considering has completed formal IFS training—or has extensive supervision or experience using the model.
Here are a few things to look for:
IFS-Specific Training
If you’re looking for IFS therapy that’s true to the model, it’s important to work with someone who has completed formal training—not just someone who’s familiar with the terminology.
Ask whether the therapist has completed Level 1 training through the IFS Institute, or another well-respected IFS training program. Some therapists may have read books, listened to podcasts, or been supervised by someone trained in IFS. These clinicians may incorporate IFS ideas into their work in helpful ways—and for some clients, that’s enough.
But if IFS is really resonating with you—if you're drawn to the idea of working with your Parts, accessing your Self, and doing deeper healing—it’s worth seeking out someone who’s been comprehensively trained.
A fully trained IFS therapist will not only understand the model's core concepts, but also have experience applying them in therapy, be connected to a larger network of IFS professionals, and be able to guide your system safely and effectively through the unburdening process.
A great place to start is the official IFS Institute practitioner directory, where you can search for providers by location or specialty.
It’s also worth noting that IFS training is still relatively new to Missouri. When our founder, Jessica, first began exploring this model, she noticed how many of her colleagues in other states were seeing incredible transformations in their clients—and how few trained IFS providers were available here in the Midwest.
That’s one reason Aspire Counseling is excited to be intentionally starting to bring on IFS-trained therapists in Missouri. Each of our IFS therapists is also trained in at least one other evidence-based PTSD treatment, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) or EMDR, ensuring that clients receive both trauma-informed and IFS-consistent care.
And if search and find there aren’t IFS therapists in your area with openings, don’t worry—online IFS therapy is a great option. At Aspire, we offer IFS therapy to clients across the entire state of Missouri through secure telehealth sessions. This makes it possible to connect with a trained therapist even if there isn’t one in your immediate area.
Experience with Your Specific Concerns
In addition to formal IFS training, it’s important that your therapist has experience working with the kinds of challenges you’re facing. IFS is a powerful framework, but it’s even more effective when the therapist understands the context of your life and what brings you to therapy in the first place.
People come to IFS therapy for many reasons—childhood trauma, relationship struggles, burnout, anxiety, grief, chronic self-criticism, spiritual disconnection, or simply a desire to better understand themselves. Some are navigating life transitions like becoming a parent, changing careers, or aging into retirement. Others may be dealing with high-functioning anxiety, people-pleasing tendencies, or a harsh inner critic that makes even small decisions feel overwhelming.
That’s why it’s helpful to work with a therapist who not only knows IFS, but also has experience with your specific stage of life or population. For example, if you’re recently retired and exploring identity questions in this new phase of life, you might not feel as connected to a therapist who primarily works with teens or young adults. At Aspire Counseling, our IFS-trained therapists bring not only formal IFS training, but also a wide range of clinical backgrounds and specialized training in evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), EMDR, and TF-CBT. This means they can integrate other trauma-informed tools as needed, ensuring your therapy stays both compassionate and clinically sound.
Therapeutic Presence
While skill and training are essential, one of the most important ingredients in successful therapy is the relationship between you and your therapist. You don’t need to feel like your therapist is someone you’d want to hang out with all the time—and in fact, they’re not meant to be your friend. But you do need to feel a sense of trust. You should feel that your therapist knows their stuff, listens well, and creates space for you to show up just as you are.
In IFS therapy, the therapeutic relationship is especially important because your therapist is helping you build relationships with your own internal Parts. That process requires curiosity, non-judgment, and emotional safety. You deserve a therapist who can stay calm when your system is overwhelmed, gently guide you when you're unsure, and welcome all of your Parts—without rushing or pathologizing your experience.
Location and environment also matter. That’s why we’ve taken great care to make sure our office spaces in Lee’s Summit and Columbia, MO are warm, calming, and welcoming. Whether you're sinking into a cozy chair in person or logging on for a virtual session, comfort matters. And for those meeting online, we use the HIPAA-compliant healthcare version of Zoom so that your session is private, secure, and dependable. Wherever you're meeting with your therapist, what matters most is that you feel safe, grounded, and respected in that space.
How Do I Find the Right Therapist for Me?
Even among well-trained IFS therapists, not every therapist will be the right therapist for you. The relationship itself is one of the most important parts of healing.
So how do you find the right fit?
Start by asking yourself:
Do I feel safe and respected in their presence?
Do they seem genuinely curious about my experience?
Do they explain things in a way that makes sense to me?
Do I feel free to ask questions or say if something doesn’t feel right?
We recommend reading our post on How to Choose the Right Therapist for You, which goes into more detail about finding someone whose style and values align with your needs.
At Aspire Counseling, we offer free consultations with our Client Care Coordinator so you can get matched with someone who fits your goals, your schedule, and your personality. We want you to feel empowered, not pressured, as you begin this journey.
Remember: the right therapist doesn’t have to be perfect. They just need to feel like someone you can be real with—someone you could trust to help you reconnect with the parts of you that have been waiting to be seen.
What Questions Should I Ask in IFS Therapy?
Starting IFS therapy can feel different from other types of therapy—and that’s a good thing. But it also means you might feel unsure of what to ask or how to engage in the process. That’s completely normal.
In fact, asking questions is part of learning to connect with your Parts and step into Self-leadership. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Your therapist is there to guide you and hold space for your uncertainty, too.
Here are a few questions that can open up the process:
“What is this Part trying to tell me?”
“How do I know when I’m in Self?”
“How can I build trust with this Part?”
“What’s the difference between a Manager and a Firefighter?”
“What happens if a Part doesn’t want to talk?”
You can also ask your therapist how they integrate IFS with other approaches. At Aspire Counseling, our IFS therapists are also trained in evidence-based trauma treatments like CPT, EMDR, or TF-CBT. If you're navigating trauma, grief, or anxiety, your therapist may incorporate additional tools to support your healing while still honoring the IFS framework.
The most important thing to remember: there are no wrong questions in IFS therapy. Curiosity is a strength.
How Do I Start IFS Therapy?
The process for starting IFS therapy varies from practice to practice, but at Aspire Counseling, we’ve made it simple and supportive.
Here’s what getting started with IFS therapy at Aspire Counseling looks like:
Reach out to our Client Care Coordinator
We offer a free consultation call where we’ll learn a bit about your goals, preferences, and concerns. From there, we’ll match you with one of our IFS-trained therapists who’s a good fit for your needs and schedule.Attend an intake session
Your first appointment will focus on building a foundation. Your therapist will ask about your history, current struggles, and hopes for therapy. This helps us understand your internal world and tailor our approach to support you best.Begin the work
After intake, you’ll begin the process of getting to know your Parts and learning how to access your Self. You’ll set the pace, and your therapist will support you with warmth, presence, and deep respect for your system.
We offer in-person sessions at our Lee’s Summit, Missouri office, as well as secure online therapy for clients anywhere in the state. No matter where you are, our goal is to make high-quality IFS therapy accessible, comfortable, and personalized.
How Do I Know If IFS Is Working for Me?
IFS is often described as gentle but powerful. You may not always leave sessions with a list of “action items,” but over time, you’ll likely begin to notice subtle—and meaningful—shifts.
As you progress in your work with an IFS therapist, you may find yourself:
Feeling calmer and more centered, even during stress
Being less overwhelmed by your emotions
Noticing and naming different Parts instead of being blended with them
Showing more compassion toward yourself
Making choices from clarity rather than reactivity
These changes may feel small at first, but they’re signs that the internal system is beginning to trust your Self. Healing isn’t always dramatic—it’s often a quiet return to connection.
And if you ever feel stuck? That’s part of the process, too. A Part might be protecting you, and your therapist can help you explore what it needs. In IFS, even resistance has value and is met with curiosity, not frustration.
Are You Ready to Begin IFS Therapy in the Lee’s Summit/Blue Springs Area?
At Aspire Counseling, we’re proud to offer evidence-based, compassionate care grounded in the belief that every person holds the capacity to heal. Our IFS therapists bring a deep understanding of trauma, emotional complexity, and the courage it takes to look inward.
We’re excited to begin providing this powerful model, and we’re committed to growing access to IFS in our region. Each of our IFS-trained therapists is also trained in at least one other trauma-informed therapy, so you can trust you’re in steady, experienced hands.
If you’re feeling drawn to this approach, we invite you to schedule a free consultation with our Client Care Coordinator. Whether you prefer in-person sessions in Lee’s Summit or telehealth from anywhere in Missouri, we’re here to help you find the support that feels right for you.
So, reach out today. Get matched with one of our therapists. Schedule a free consultation. And begin getting to know yourself better so you can really move forward.
Every part of you deserves compassion. Let’s begin this journey together.
