The Integrative Perspective

Integrative Psychotherapy is a unifying clinical orientation, allowing the clinician to respond effectively to each individual person on all levels-- cognitive (thoughts), affective (feelings), behavioral (actions), and physiological (body).  It affirms the value of each individual and shows regard for client's preferences in therapy . Beyond these internal parts of a person, Integrative perspective includes consideration for external systems-- like family, culture, and religion/spirituality.  

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) works to solve current problems and change unhelpful thinking and behavior.  With CBT, the client learns to challenge their own thought patterns and beliefs and replace unhelpful thought patterns with new, more helpful thoughts.  We restructure our thoughts, which influence our emotions and feelings, and soon new and healthy behaviors (actions) emerge.  CBT is very effective in treating symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as many other problems.  CBT is problem-focused and action-oriented, and many clients see results quickly.

​Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a specific type of CBT (see above).  Originally developed to treat symptoms such as extreme emotional intensity, suicidality, and dysfunctional ways of reacting in relationships (and still considered the "gold standard" for related diagnoses), it is now also used to treat many more problems in life.  DBT focuses on regulating emotion, tolerating distress, gaining mindfulness, and allowing acceptance.  There are specific, recommended exercises for each of these 4 components.  As a client makes progress and benefits from these techniques, the therapist and client work together to transfer new DBT skills into client's daily life.

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Solution-focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) considers the internal resources a person already has and relationship skills that are already working.  It focuses on future hopes rather than dwelling on present and past problems.  It is most appropriate for very short-term counseling (approx 5 sessions), but it is useful in combination with other theories for longer courses of counseling.
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Family Systems Theory suggests individuals are best understood in the context of family.  It offers insight into complex interlocking elements, such as relationship patterns, boundaries, stress responses, unspoken family "rules," and family subsystems.   It looks at how an individual develops a sense of self based on conformity, approval and rejection.  It considers how relationship patterns are influenced by stress.  While Family Systems is a theory (not a specific type of therapy), its concepts greatly influence our integrative therapy.
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There are many approaches to relationship counseling.  In Imago Therapy a core belief is that couples come to therapy to experience joyful connection and problems are simply things interfering with connection.  We all have a need to be loved, which is as deep as basic survival.   When we open our hearts, we open deep vulnerabilities, and issues surface. Imago relationship therapy explores how we unconsciously choose partners who reflect back the issues we might benefit from working on ourselves.  Imago offers this perspective of relationship conflict and focuses on communication as a means for reconnecting.

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​Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy applies psychoanalytic principles to understand the client's issues.  Uncovering unconscious thoughts and feelings allows an insightful and meaningful work on relationships, communication, and other important parts of life.  When applied appropriately, this deep work may help the client attain lasting character change.  Unconscious needs and coping become conscious, and client gains a more stable and complete view of self.
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For more on Integrative Psychotherapy visit:
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INSTITUTE FOR INTEGRATIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY
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​ASSOCIATION FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE