EVIDENCE

The best way to foster wider use of IFS is to enhance the credibility of the model through empirical evidence; so, the Foundation for Self Leadership funds rigorous research into IFS, across various disciplines, for various conditions, and in various settings.

Study on the Efficacy of IFS in Treating PTSD and Opioid Addiction

Phase II of the Randomized Control Trial (RCT) with individuals suffering from PTSD (plus a feasibility study on IFS as a treatment for opioid addiction) began in early 2023 at Cambridge Health Alliance. The research team from the Harvard Medical School is also examining outcomes from the pilot study that concluded in 2022. This RCT will not only open doors for further IFS research; just as importantly, it will establish an IFS-treatment approach for community agencies, which support diverse groups commonly underserved by IFS.

TOTAL NEEDED: $390,000 ($270,000 raised to-date)

Post-Doctoral IFS-based Research Fellowship

The Foundation for Self Leadership has a record of funding research that contributes to the scientific literature on IFS over the last ten years. To ensure this continues for the next ten years, we have established a quasi-endowed fund that will support this fellowship over the next decade. The first fellow will be appointed and begin work in Summer 2023. Learn More.

TOTAL NEEDED: $750,000 ($150,000 per two-year stipend)

ACCESS

A recent study by the National Council for Behavioral Health cites “lack of access” as a root cause for the mental health crisis in America. We must meet this need by working through alternative settings like schools, veteran centers, under-served communities and the workplace.

Leadership Fellows Program

The inaugural cohort of IFS Leadership Fellows convened late summer 2022. They are current and future leaders from BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. They have taken part in Level I training and extensive mentoring to expand their knowledge of IFS and capacity to take this back to their communities.

TOTAL NEEDED: $1,000,000 (per cohort of 24)

Expansion of IFS-in-Schools Initiative

Building on successful pilot projects at schools in Minnesota and Connecticut (USA), we will now scale up to a district-wide, K-12 approach by partnering with one urban and one rural district (in USA). Teachers, counselors, staff and administrators have an immersive IFS-oriented experience. An independent evaluation of teacher engagement and student outcomes is conducted in parallel track.

TOTAL NEEDED: $250,000 (matched by district)

IFS Healing Corps – Support for Military Veterans

The Foundation recently funded two pilot projects in Louisiana (USA) that provided wilderness-based IFS therapy to military veterans. The Foundation will expand this initiative to mobilize certified IFS therapists and coaches to serve veterans directly, using individual and group counseling and simple before/after data to analyze outcomes.

TOTAL NEEDED: $120,000 ($60,000 per cohort of 10/$6,000 per veteran)

ADVOCACY

IFS was identified four decades ago, yet the paradigm and practice are still not widely known even within the broader therapeutic community. As we move these insights and experiences out into the world, we inspire greater emotional healing and well-being, far and wide.

IFS in Graduate Level Programs

Outreach efforts in higher education present IFS as an evidence-based model of the human mind and protocol for personal and relational development. The intent is to expand the acceptance of IFS as a theoretical framework and practice in graduate curricula within psychology, counselor education and social work, human development, education, and management.

TOTAL NEEDED: $15,000 ($1,500 for advocacy efforts per university)

Nurturing communities of practice

PARTS & SELF, a new online, open access magazine, published by the Foundation for Self Leadership, highlights thought-leadership and cutting-edge practices, sharing these resources with the international IFS community.

TOTAL NEEDED: $50,000 annually