| Integrative Psychotherapy |
| As the name implies, Integrative Psychotherapies are a unique combination of many styles and techniques from the Psychoanalytic, Jungian, Humanistic, and Transpersonal fields of psychotherapy. Integrative psychotherapy emphasises the uniqueness of the human being and, in addition to exploring childhood events and traumas and the mechanisms by which each individual protected him/herself during the growing up period, it stresses how this affects daily living. By so-doing the individual begins to recognise his/her potentials, to take responsibility for his/her actions, and to develop his/her current life. It thereby offers the client the opportunity for change, and the choice whether or not to do so. |
| Integrative Psychotherapy focuses on creating a safe environment, and on teaching the skills necessary for people to live in the present in an enriching, fulfilling and productive manner. The goal of Integrative Psychotherapy is that, through a series of activities - in addition to the more conventional 'talking therapies' - the client will connect with his/her own capacity for self-fulfilment. As the client becomes more self-accepting and more self-aware, recognising the habitual and fixed patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving, s/he begins to change. This process deepens as therapy progresses. |
| The role of Integrative psychotherapy involves the therapist creating an atmosphere of acceptance rather than one of 'knowing what is best' for the client. This is not simply of the client/patient in the past and present, but includes a vision of the future. The therapy is seen as a journey in which both therapist and client/patient are a team working together for the same goals. Power differential and over dependence on the therapist is discouraged. |
Integrative psychotherapists work intuitively, drawing from a large 'toolbox' of different skills and trainings, which will include some, or all, of the following:
| Art Therapy | Body Work |
| Drama Therapy | Gestalt Therapy |
| Primal Therapy | Psychosynthesis |
| Movement Therapy | Regression work |
| Rogerian Counselling | Transactional Analysis |
| Transpersonal/Spiritual Therapy | Visualisations |
| Voice Therapy |
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| The style of each Integrative Psychotherapist will vary greatly and each therapist will use a different combination of techniques in each session so that even with the same person, no two sessions will be the same. |
| Integrative Psychotherapy is practised in individual therapy, groups, workshops, couples, families, and with children. It is increasingly practised in NHS outpatient clinics and community-based interdisciplinary teams, social service departments, education welfare departments, private psychotherapy practices and growth centres. It is currently enjoying significant interest from Human Resource departments seeking ways of implementing change. |
| Director of Integrative Psychotherapy |
