What is Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy?
There are many different schools of psychotherapy, each suggesting different
ways in which people’s problems might be eased. As an integrative therapist, I
believe that every approach has something valid to say, and that different
approaches may be more appropriate for some clients than for others.
My training has included three of these approaches, although I read widely and
have incorporated elements of other approaches into my practice as well. My
three principle approaches, however, are:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – which states that the client’s symptoms and
behaviours are connected to underlying negative thoughts (cognitions), and that
by working with the client to change these from negative to realistic the
symptoms and behaviours will reduce and/or change.
Psychodynamic Therapy – which states that current problems in a client’s life
may have their roots in the client’s childhood, possibly relating to early
trauma or dysfunctional relationships. By exploring these early influences, the
client’s understanding of his current position is enhanced, making problems
easier to work with.
Humanistic (or Person-Centred) Therapy – which states that only the client can
know him/herself completely, and that therapy is therefore best directed by the
client so he/she can address the issues which are troubling them most at the
time.
As you may have realised, these approaches are by no means mutually exclusive,
and all potentially have very important contributions to make to the process of
therapy. I use a system of integration known as the Transtheoretical Model*,
which suggests that different approaches are appropriate at different stages of
therapy, and relevant to different areas of the client’s life.
I am therefore able to offer you a programme of therapy tailored to your needs,
your preferences in how you want to work, and the issues you wish to discuss in
your sessions.
What Can Therapy Offer Me?
Therapy can enable you to improve your life by:
- Exploring the origins of your problems
- Working out how they are influencing your life
- Discussing possible ways of reducing their influence
- Providing exercises and strategies to help you make small changes in your life
to reduce your symptoms
- Working through thoughts, feelings and memories that are upsetting or traumatic
- Helping you to reorganise your priorities in life
This is by no means an exhaustive list – the reasons people seek therapy are as
numerous as the people themselves. However, whatever the problem, there will be
a way to work with it, and this is the reason I work in a very flexible way. I
will never push you to discuss anything you don’t feel ready to discuss.
Therapy is not about advice, although I may offer suggestions of exercises,
techniques and strategies which may help you. Depending on your circumstances, it may be useful to
set some exercises as homework to be completed before the next session.
*Prochaska, J and Norcross, J (2007) Systems of
Psychotherapy: a Transtheoretical Analysis. Belmont: Thompson
