Integrative counselling, as the name suggests, is a combined approach to counselling and psychotherapy that brings together different elements of specific therapies.
Integrative therapists take the view that there is no single approach that can treat each individual in all situations. Rather, each person needs to be considered as a whole and counselling techniques must be tailored to their individual needs and personal circumstances.
Integrative counselling maintains the idea that there are many ways in which human psychology can be explored and understood - no one theory alone holds the answer. All theories are considered to have value, even if their foundational principles contradict each other - hence the need to integrate them.
The integrative approach also refers to the infusion of a person's personality and needs - integrating the affective, behavioural, cognitive, and physiological systems within one person, as well as addressing social and spiritual aspects. Essentially, integrative counsellors are not only concerned with what works, but why it works - tailoring therapy to their clients and not the client to the therapy.
Integrative counselling aims to promote healing and facilitate wholeness - ensuring that all levels of a person's being and functioning (mental, physical and emotional health) are maximised to their full potential. Individuals must be committed to self-exploration and open to identifying what factors in their life are perpetuating problems, and/or are causing current concerns.
how it works...
Coming to see an integrative counsellor or psychotherapist could help in dealing with some of your difficulties through various means. Your therapist will think about emotional and practical ways in which to address your problems - attempting to look at issues from a range of perspectives.
Sessions with an integrative counsellor or psychotherapist are likely to be on a weekly basis and at the same time and same day each week. They last for 50 minutes.
Integrative counselling and psychotherapy in Ipswich Suffolk