Integrative: A New Whole of Individual Elements

By the term Integrative Psychotherapy we mean the integration and union of two or more psychotherapeutic approaches, in order to meet the multidimensional needs of the person being treated, both on a personal and interpersonal level. As Greben states, ‘the integrative perspective indicates extensive flexibility and promotes the integration of different therapeutic models’.

My approach to Integrative Psychotherapy focuses on the personal story of each person in therapy. Where did he/she come from, how did he/she encounter pain, trauma, anxiety, abandonment, abuse, uprooting or exclusion? This story becomes the guide for how to approach him/her and what needs I need to prioritize. There are situations where techniques may not be necessary – but only human presence, empathy and support can meet the client’s needs.

Historical Context and Evolution of Integrative Psychotherapy

Integrative Psychotherapy was created to fill the gaps left by the main representatives of psychotherapy, such as psychoanalysis and behaviourism. Against humanistic therapies, which emphasized the growth potential of the individual but were criticized for lack of focus on past experiences, integrative therapy enables a more holistic approach.

The foundation of integrative therapy began in the 1950s. Elements such as therapeutic alliance, expectations of therapy, and empathy (as analyzed by Frank & Frank) help to connect the client to their hopes and needs for help. The need for therapists to incorporate different models was aimed at more targeted and individualized outcomes with each client.

Healing Factors of Integrative Psychotherapy

Among the common healing factors is the ability of the therapist to instill hope and contribute to the shaping of a more reality-based version of the treated person’s self. As Norcross and Goldfried state, “the psychotherapeutic integrative movement illuminates that psychotherapeutic integration is not simply the application of techniques from different approaches. Rather, it involves the interconnection between theory, elementary findings, and techniques to achieve a deeper understanding of the therapy process.”