Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy isn't as well-known as some other forms of therapy (such as cognitive behavior therapy or dialectical behavior therapy), but it is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy that many find helpful.Criticism of this kind of therapy includes failing to address any neurobiological underpinnings of mental health issues. Additionally, several lawsuits alleged that practitioners of IFS therapy pushed them to "recover memories" of repressed trauma.A recent meta-analysis found that IFS therapy effectively reduces symptoms of depression, as well as anxiety and trauma-related disorders. The study also found that IFS therapy was more effective than traditional talk therapy in reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What is the success rate of IFS therapy : Of the thirteen subjects who were diagnosed with PTSD and completed the 16 sessions of IFS, only 1 still qualified for the diagnosis at the end of the study and at the one-month follow-up. That is, 92% of the participants no longer met the PTSD criteria, which translates into a huge effect size of -4.46.
What is the science behind IFS
It combines systems thinking with the view that the mind is made up of relatively discrete subpersonalities, each with its own unique viewpoint and qualities. IFS uses systems psychology, particularly as developed for family therapy, to understand how these collections of subpersonalities are organized.
What is the most evidence-based therapy : Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
This therapy focuses on relationships between thoughts, feelings, behaviors and situations and helps Veterans build skills to change their unwanted behaviors and achieve their goals. CBT is considered a short-term therapy and typically involves six to 14 sessions.
The Foundation for Self Leadership supports the rigorous examination of the efficacy of various IFS applications through the independent gathering and analysis of empirical evidence, both hard and soft evidence.
Disadvantages of integrative therapy
- Varied in treatment, making it hard to judge the effectiveness.
- Quality of therapy, and thus its efficacy, can vary depending on the clinician.
- Not recommended for all conditions – only your clinical psychologist can determine if it is the right approach for you.
Is IFS effective for trauma
Childhood trauma survivors who engage in IFS treatment will demonstrate significant reductions in severity of clinical problems that co-occur with PTSD, including; depression, dissociation, somatization, affect dysregulation, and disrupted self-perception.Introducing the EMDR+IFS PARTS Protocol
This comprehensive course introduces the innovative EMDR PARTS protocol, which seamlessly integrates the IFS model into the standard EMDR protocol. This approach brings a permission-focused perspective to trauma treatment, providing a deeper and more holistic healing experience.IFS aims to heal our Parts from the traumas they have sustained, restoring harmony to the inner system. When a protector behaves in a maladaptive way (e.g. an incessant inner critic), this is the result of trauma – the Part's behavior is a coping strategy intended to protect the system against further trauma.
Childhood trauma survivors who engage in IFS treatment will demonstrate significant reductions in severity of PTSD symptoms.
Is IFS good for trauma : Conclusion. IFS is a wonderful modality for trauma healing because it focuses on root causes rather than simply attempting to address symptoms.
What is the difference between IFS and EMDR : IFS therapy can help clients identify and work through their different parts, including those that are holding onto trauma memories and emotions. EMDR therapy can then be used to desensitize those memories and reduce the distress associated with them.
Which therapies are evidence-based
Evidence-Based Practice Interventions
- Behavior Therapy. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Anxiety.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma/PTSD.
- Exposure Therapy.
- Family Therapy.
- Group Interventions.
- Holistic Approaches.
- Parent Training.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in treating depression and anxiety disorders. It's also cost-effective over the long term. This is true, especially compared with other types of talk therapy.Some people can click with IFS right away and will experience noticeable, measurable changes in how they relate to the issue of their concern during our first session. On average, it may take 3-4 sessions, sometimes longer, to start to understand the flow of the work.
Why do so many psychologists today use an integrative therapy approach : In practice, by merging elements of different psychological theories or modifying standard treatments, integrative therapists can often offer a more flexible and inclusive approach to treatment than those who practice singular forms of psychotherapy.