What is integrative therapy counselling?
Integrative therapy is a counselling approach which combines different types of psychotherapies, for instance person centered counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT counselling).
By using this integrative therapy counselling approach, it helps understand an individual’s experience from their perspective, incorporating elements of CBT counselling focusing on changing unhelpful cognitive thoughts, improving emotional regulation, & developing personal coping strategies.
Here are some popular counselling approaches that counsellors might use;
- Person centred therapy
- Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) counselling
- Psychodynamic approach
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness based therapy
- Creative therapies
Each approach can offer different insights into individuals thought processes. Also every method has unique perception of how a change in behaviour happens and how your mind and emotions work.
What is the focus of integrative therapy counselling?
Integrative therapy counselling aims to alleviate negative cognitive behaviours, encourage healing and wellness as well as promote wellness. This holistic approach ensures that all aspects of the persons wellbeing and function is lifted and maximises their mental, emotional and physical health and wellbeing.
Why does integrative therapy work?
The reason integrative therapy counselling works is due to its flexibility to fit different patients with individual problems and specific contexts. It is common practise among counsellors and psychotherapists that no single therapeutic approach can be effective on its own and not always appropriate for all problems, and patients. Evidence-based research has shown that integrative therapy counselling (e.g. Person Centred, Interpersonal Counselling, CBT) are effective for a wide range of negative cognitive behaviours (e.g. depression, anxiety, past and current trauma, bereavement, addiction and low self-esteem amongst others)
What types of negative behaviours can integrative counselling benefit?
Integrative therapy counselling can be applied to treating a range of psychological issues and disorders such as:
- depression
- anxiety
- past and current trauma
- bereavement
- addiction
- low self-esteem
Integrative therapy counselling is an in-depth process exploring issues and setting of goals. Because of the nature of this type of counselling, integrative therapy counselling typically requires an a long-term commitment from the client to ensure long lasting results. Therefore it may not be suitable for those who want a quick, solution-focused approach to mental health.
If you wish to discuss integrative therapy counselling, and how it could benefit you, please get in contact I’d be happy to discuss further.
