There are over 400 different approaches to counselling and psychotherapy, and integrative counselling is one of them.
Integrative counselling is when different counselling models are combined to make a new way to help a client. The word “integrate” means combining different parts or elements of a model to form a whole new theory. It focuses on the concept that no particular therapy model exists for clients. This is because personalities differ, and every one is unique. This counselling model tailors different therapy models to the client rather than the therapy to the client. This means putting together different parts of different counselling models to make a new one. No therapeutic model solves a client’s problems, like a fairy godmother’s wand.
What is the concept of integrative counselling?
A client may benefit from more than one therapy technique, and an integrative counsellor is trained to recognize this diversity in treatment options.
Instead, they take into account who you are as an individual and your circumstances and combine aspects of several different approaches to assist you in examining your issues and developing strategies for coping with them.
APPROACH
Imagine this: you walk into a fashion boutique looking for that perfect dinner dress or suit. But nothing fits both your size and personality perfectly at the same time. Remember, you’re looking for the perfect fabric texture and colour.
The shade has to complement your eyes, and the pattern has to complement your body, and you can’t find that, which is really frustrating. Then, the fashion designer offers to make you a dress that checks all the boxes on your list. Perhaps a few changes to one of the dresses will make it more flattering on you.
You go through with it and walk out of there happily because you got what you wanted. That scenario relates to integrative counselling. It focuses on combining bits and pieces from different models to form a different model. The best one is suitable for the client’s healing.
Integrative counselling is ineffective if the therapist doesn’t understand his client. The relationship between the client and the counsellor is very important to how well and quickly the approach works. For this to happen, the client must feel secure and relaxed in revealing his mental state and problems. He mustn’t feel judged or pressured.
He sets goals for how he wants his life to be. The therapist suggests new patterns that the client feels safe and relaxed enough to try, such as a change in habits, lifestyle, diet, and exercise routine. This affects the client’s mental state and leads to a better and more productive lifestyle. This agrees with the concept that the body affects the mind, and likewise, the mind affects the body.
SERVICES
Integrative counselling services are offered in situations of:
- Substance Abuse Disorders
- Sexual Addiction
- Trauma & PTSD
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Relationship Challenges
What are examples of integrative therapy?
Existential therapy, person-centred psychotherapy, transactional analysis, cognitive behavioural therapy, gestalt therapy, body psychotherapy, family systems therapy, and person-centred psychotherapy are some of the more frequent types of therapy.
PROS OF INTEGRATIVE COUNSELLING
- The integrative counselling approach is a blend of different theories therapists adjust to suit the client’s needs. It uses models in a way that allows them to be easily adjusted to achieve the desired result. That, as a result, is flexible.
- The integrative counselling approach focuses on the client rather than the model. It applies to clients who are more complex in behaviour and personality than others.
- Integrative counselling is a therapeutic stress management approach. It promotes healthy living and reduces the blood pressure of the client. Talk about a healthy body and mind; you got it.
- The integrative counselling approach is a model that considers the client’s wholeness. It finds a healthy balance mentally, physically, and emotionally for the client.
CONS OF INTEGRATIVE COUNSELLING
- Integrative counselling is an approach best considered for expert, experienced and licensed therapists. This is because some therapists might merge whatever conflicting models there are. This confuses the client.
- Integrative counselling does not go into the depth of a particular model theory. But it picks elements from the surface of each model.
- Integrative counselling models are usually put together with the imaginative and calculative capacity of the therapist. His experience in working with other clients with behavioural complexities will help. We must know that individuals differ based on how their minds work. This can sometimes lead to conflict between counsellors on whose integrated therapy will be more effective for the client. The client is affected if this is the case. He will eventually be used as a test subject to prove a point.
Conclusion
Integrative counselling is a flexible and holistic approach combining different therapeutic techniques to meet each client’s needs. Drawing from multiple psychological theories allows for a more personalized and effective treatment process.
This approach recognizes the complexity of human experiences and promotes healing by addressing emotional, cognitive, and behavioural aspects. Ultimately, integrative counselling empowers individuals to develop self-awareness, resilience, and meaningful life changes.
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