Is IFS Therapy Legit: A Summary of the Research
At Aspire Counseling, we take our commitment to providing top-notch, effective mental health care seriously. When clients come to us, they’re looking for real solutions—not just temporary relief, but meaningful, lasting change. That’s why all of our clinicians are trained in at least one well-researched, evidence-based intervention.
Now, we’re proud to add Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy to the services we offer in Missouri. This wasn’t a decision we made lightly. It’s one we made because IFS IS legit. There IS solid research that supports it. And when practiced by experienced, well-trained therapists, IFS IS a valid, powerful tool for emotional healing.
If you’re wondering what you should know before starting IFS, knowing a little bit about the research that’s coming out about this powerful therapy is one of those things.
What Is Evidence-Based Treatment in Mental Health?
In mental health care, “evidence-based treatment” means more than just using a popular therapy model. It’s about applying approaches that have been rigorously studied and proven effective for helping people meet their therapy goals. It also means offering personalized care—treating each person as a unique individual, not just a diagnosis.
At its best, evidence-based treatment combines well-researched interventions like IFS, EMDR, and CBT with the therapist’s personal experience, warmth, and insight. It means listening closely to a client’s needs and preferences, building a strong therapeutic relationship, and creating a treatment plan that truly supports healing.
That’s why, at Aspire Counseling, we carefully consider both the science and the human connection. Our therapists bring their own unique experiences, personalities, and even favorite metaphors into the therapy room. This balance between research and real-world connection is what makes therapy truly effective.
The Research Supporting Internal Family Systems Therapy
If you’re wondering, “Is IFS therapy legit?”—the answer is a resounding yes. It’s legit. It’s real.
While there aren’t a ton of IFS therapists in the Kansas City area (or throughout the states of Missouri & Kansas even), this is a real, true therapy. And in some parts of the country, it’s already pretty well known. At Aspire, we believe it’s going to gain in popularity in Missouri in the coming years. Why? Because it works. How do we know that? Because more and more research is showing us that IFS therapy is legit.
Is IFS Therapy Is Backed by Research?
You might be wondering, Is IFS evidence based? The answer is yes. IFS therapy has been studied across a variety of populations and mental health concerns, and the research shows it can effectively support emotional healing, particularly for anxiety, depression, and trauma. If you’re looking for an approach that’s both compassionate and backed by science, IFS is a powerful option to consider.
Below is an overview of a few studies that have explored the effectiveness of IFS across different populations and mental health concerns.
Haddock et al. (2017) – IFS for Depression in College Women
Study Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (Quantitative)
Population: 37 female college students with moderate to severe depression
Published In: Journal of Marital and Family Therapy
Findings: IFS therapy led to significant reductions in depressive symptoms, comparable to standard treatments like CBT and IPT.
Link: PubMed
Hodgdon et al. (2021) – IFS for PTSD in Childhood Trauma Survivors
Study Type: Pilot Effectiveness Study (Quantitative)
Population: 28 adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse
Published In: Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma
Findings: IFS therapy significantly reduced PTSD symptoms; 92% of participants no longer met PTSD criteria at one-month follow-up.
Link: Taylor & Francis Online
Schwartz (2013) – Conceptual Framework of IFS
Study Type: Theoretical/Conceptual Article
Population: N/A
Published In: Journal of Clinical Psychology
Findings: Discusses how IFS fosters self-acceptance and transformation by helping clients embrace all parts of themselves.
Link: PubMed
Shadick et al. (2013) – IFS for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Study Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (Quantitative)
Population: 79 adults with rheumatoid arthritis
Published In: The Journal of Rheumatology
Findings: IFS therapy improved physical functioning and reduced depressive symptoms, leading to its inclusion in SAMHSA’s NREPP.
Link: Jrheum
Hill (2023) – IFS in Christian Counseling
Study Type: Case Studies (Qualitative)
Population: Clients integrating Christian beliefs with therapy
Published In: Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy
Findings: Demonstrates how IFS can be harmonized with Christian frameworks to address trauma and promote inner peace.
Link: BYU ScholarsArchive
Kennel (2020) – IFS and Religious Studies
Study Type: Theoretical Analysis
Population: N/A
Published In: Implicit Religion
Findings: Explores the parallels between IFS concepts and religious studies, highlighting the model's applicability in spiritual contexts.
Link: Equinox Journal
Geib (2016) – Expanded Unburdenings in IFS
Study Type: Clinical Case Studies (Qualitative)
Population: Clients undergoing IFS therapy
Published In: Innovations and Elaborations in Internal Family Systems Therapy
Findings: Presents detailed case studies illustrating the process and outcomes of unburdening in IFS therapy.
Sweezy (2011) – IFS Post-DBT for Trauma
Study Type: Clinical Application (Qualitative)
Population: Clients transitioning from Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Published In: Journal of Psychotherapy Integration
Findings: Suggests that IFS can be effectively integrated after DBT to address underlying trauma.
Link: ResearchGate
Miller et al. (2007) – IFS with Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors
Study Type: Clinical Application (Qualitative)
Population: Survivors of childhood sexual abuse
Published In: Journal of Feminist Family Therapy
Findings: Combines IFS with narrative therapy to address issues of loss and oppression in survivors.
Link: Taylor & Francis Online
Wilkins (2007) – IFS in African American Families
Study Type: Case Study (Qualitative)
Population: African American families surviving sexual abuse
Published In: Journal of Feminist Family Therapy
Findings: Demonstrates the use of IFS-informed interventions to support healing in African American families.
Link: CoLab
What Questions Should I Ask Before Starting IFS Therapy?
Starting something new can feel overwhelming, so it’s helpful to think about what questions should I ask in IFS therapy before your first session. Consider asking your therapist about their IFS training, how they integrate IFS with other evidence-based treatments, and what to expect as you begin working with your internal Parts. This helps ensure you feel confident and supported as you start your healing journey.
How Long Does It Take to See Results from IFS Therapy?
If you’re curious about how long does IFS take to work, know that the process looks different for everyone. Some clients begin noticing subtle shifts after just a few sessions—like increased self-awareness or feeling more compassionate toward themselves—while others experience deeper changes over time. The important thing to remember is that even small changes can be a powerful sign of progress.
IFS Therapy in Lee’s Summit, MO or Online in Missouri
At Aspire Counseling, our Missouri therapists have years of experience providing truly evidence-based therapy. Why? Because we’ve seen firsthand the power of these incredible treatments to change lives. Time and again, our clients have reached mental health goals they once feared were out of reach—and we believe every person deserves that opportunity. You deserve therapy that works.
We’re proud to offer several research-backed therapies, including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Our therapists use these proven approaches to help Missourians heal from trauma, overcome anxiety and depression, manage OCD, and find relief from other mental health challenges.
While IFS therapy is currently offered in person at our Lee’s Summit office, our Columbia office specializes in providing other evidence-based treatments. And through the convenience of online therapy, we’re able to offer IFS across the entire state of Missouri—from Kansas City to St. Louis, Springfield to Columbia, and everywhere in between.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward healing, we’re here to support you. Contact our Client Care Coordinator for a free consultation. We’ll listen to your needs and help you find the therapist and treatment approach that’s the best fit for you.
You don’t have to settle for therapy that feels like it’s going nowhere. At Aspire Counseling, we believe in providing care that’s compassionate, personalized, and—most importantly—effective. Reach out today, and let’s take the next step toward healing together.
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