Integrative Therapy

An integrative counsellor believes there isn’t just one therapeutic approach that can help a client in all situations. Instead, they take into account you as an individual and your circumstances, and use elements of different approaches to help you explore and cope with your problems.

The integrative approach may include elements of person-centred therapy. This focuses on you rather than the counsellor being the expert on yourself, and aims to help you reach your full potential. Your counsellor will help you achieve that by accepting and valuing you, being honest and transparent with you and offering you unconditional positive regard.

Your counsellor may draw on psychodynamic therapy. This involves helping you to bring your subconscious – what is just below the surface of your awareness – into your conscious mind. It helps you become more aware of what’s in your subconscious, such as difficult memories and experiences, so you can understand how these deep-rooted feelings impact on you in the present and how you can learn to cope with them.

The counsellor might bring in elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). This looks at your thoughts, feelings and behaviours and helps you to change some of these where they are unhelpful using a variety of practical strategies and tools, such as journaling.

And, if appropriate for you, your counsellor may bring in elements of other approaches too.

Integrative therapy can help with a range of short and long-term issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, addictions, bereavement and low self-esteem.