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Research Priorities

Advocating for, and supporting, independent IFS-oriented research projects are critical steps to establishing empirical evidence for IFS. Building such evidence through scientifically sound studies will expand the reach and scope of the model; and give it greater visibility and acceptability within the academic sector, the insurance industry, and mental health agencies.

To the extent that funding is available, the Foundation will provide grants to researchers consistent with the priorities below. Applications will be reviewed by an independent council according to a preset schedule. Where appropriate, the Foundation will seek additional funding to support special proposals recommended by its review council. The Foundation will be reviewing its list of priorities on a regular basis. In the short term, the following three priorities in descending order have been identified:

Great emphasis will be placed on research on the efficacy of IFS in treating individuals suffering from traumatic experiences, depression, and/or anxiety. This is an area of great need within the United States and across the globe. The effects of trauma are debilitating to many individuals, families, and communities; PTSD and depression continue to cause the loss of one too many precious lives. Learning the extent to which IFS can reduce symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety--and under what conditions--is highest on the list of our research objectives.
Given developments in neuroscience and imaging, there is abundant interest in questions about how our inner parts, as described within the IFS model, correlate with parts of our physical brain. Along these lines, the Foundation deems it important to examine physiological effects of IFS on patients in clinical settings.
While the Foundation is committed to advancing IFS as a model for emotional healing, we cannot ignore the significant benefit of pain prevention. By looking at the inner world through the IFS lens, practitioners consistently tell us, individuals find a way to gain a state of inner calm and serenity. We are interested in exploring these two pathways through IFS: pain prevention and emotional wellbeing.