Integrative Counselling

Integrative counselling, or integrative therapy involves a combined approach to help you with emotional difficulties. Therapists who use this approach believe that no single psychological theory can treat all people in all situations, therefore an ‘integral’ way of counselling can be tailored to meet the demands of an individual’s needs and circumstances. The three distinct theories that are usually amalgamated are from Psychodynamic, Cognitive and Person-Centred schools of thought.

An integrative approach also views people as being holistic in nature, and therefore can address their affective, cognitive, behavioural and physiological systems. Their social, spiritual and religious beliefs can also be examined. An integrative counsellor tailors the therapy to the client rather than trying to fit a client’s concerns into a specific therapeutic framework.

How does Intergrative Counselling work?

The integrative therapist usually explores your frame of reference in an open, authentic manner without any pre-formed judgements and helps you identify any triggers or fears that are hindering your psychological wellbeing. Depending on the length of contract and presenting issues the therapist will decide how to proceed with self-exploration of your life. This is a collaborative relationship and both parties must be open to finding the factors that are causing concern. The therapist may use techniques from many approaches, which can help offer insight into human behaviour.

Integrative counselling aims to offer and facilitate human well-being and wholeness and can help with connecting the mind and body. It can be particularly helpful for those who have negative patterns of behaviour which are caused by anxieties, phobias or fears. Addictions,trauma, depression, low self-esteem and loss (bereavement) are all treatable in integrative counselling.