Integrative counselling
Integrative Counselling as the name would suggest is a combination of approaches to psychotherapy, that brings together different elements of specific therapies.
As an integrative counsellor I tend to take the view that there is no single approach that can treat each client in all situations. Instead, 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 humans' psychology can be explored and understood, therefore no one theory holds all the answers, all the theories are considered to have their own value hence the need to integrate them.
The integrative approach also can be referred as an infusion of a person's personality and needs so understanding behavioural cognitive and physiological systems within one person and addressing social and spiritual aspects.
What this means to the client is that the approach helps them to face each moment openly, and authentically without having a formed opinion or expectation beforehand. This therefore enables them to better focus on the fears and hurt that have put limitations on their psychological freedom, and to recognise specific triggers that may cause disruptive patterns of behaviour.
Humanistic Approach
Humanistic therapies focus on self -development, growth and responsibilities. This helps individuals to recognise their strengths, creativity and choice in the here and now.
These approaches are based on the belief that we all gravitate towards goodness. However, difficult life experiences may temporarily block our ability to reach our true potential. I feel with the right support we all are able to achieve our goals.
The humanistic approaches are especially suited to anyone feeling lost and struggling with low self-esteem or generally looking to improve wellbeing.
Being a Humanistic therapist, I work with people living with specific conditions such as; anxiety, panic disorders, addiction, depression, OCD. People who are having relationship or family relationship issues may also benefit.
Humanistic approaches include:
- Gestalt therapy
Gestalt, therapy is a client-centred approach that helps clients to focus on the present to understand what may be happening in their lives in the here and now, rather than what they may perceive to be happening based on past situations that haven't been dealt with.
With the process of Gestalt, clients begin to understand and can be more aware of how their own negative thought patterns and behaviours that are blocking out their own sense of self which in turn makes them unhappy.
- Psychodynamic therapy
It is a form of talking based therapy based on Sigmund Freud theory, believes that the unconscious mind influences your thoughts.
This approach specifically examines how your experiences (often from childhood) may be contributing to your current experience and actions. Freud described the unconscious as the reservoir of desired thoughts and memories that are below the surface of your conscious awareness. He believed that the unconscious influences could often lead to psychological distress and disturbances.
This therapy evolves from psychoanalytic and seeks to discover how the unconscious thoughts affect behaviours. This usually focuses on more immediate problems and attempts to provide a quicker solution.
Unlike other forms of therapy, the aim is to help create a deep-seated change in your emotional development. Helping you to understand and resolve your problems by increasing your awareness of your inner self and how this can influence your current relationships.
Person-centred
Person-centred therapy deals with the ways in which individuals perceive themselves consciously. The core purpose of person-centred therapy is to understand our ability to self-actualise the belief that all of us will grow and fulfil our potential. This approach helps with personal growth and relationships of a client by allowing them to explore and utilise their own strengths and personal identity. The counsellor aids this process providing vital support to the client with navigating their way through this journey.
CBT
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on how you think and give meaning to things. Together we will investigate your behaviour and help you begin to turn negative thoughts to balanced and helpful ones. Ultimately, this will help you learn to cope, problem solve and have a more positive outlook on life. These strategies will benefit your mental health going forward and lead you to positive growth.
Transactional Analysis
Transactional Analysis aims to promote positive personal change and can help people reach their full potential. It features and incorporates many different elements of other types of therapy such as humanistic and integrative psychotherapy. The basis of TA is to examine a person's relationships and their interactions within that relationship, and to reinforce that everyone is an individual with valuable opinions and has the capacity for positive change.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy is a form of in-depth talk therapy for those who feel lost with themselves and with the wider world around them. This disassociation is usually caused by deep rooted trauma. Psychodynamic therapy can help you unravel the experiences that caused these issues, and in turn better understand how to move beyond them.
