What is Integrative Counselling, and is it right for me?
the word ‘therapy’ on scrabble letters and a key
What is integrative counselling and is it right for me?
If you've been looking at therapists, you've probably come across the word "integrative" and wondered what it actually means. It sounds technical but the idea behind it is straightforward.
It means your therapist doesn't stick to just one method
Some therapists work exclusively within one model: Person-Centred, CBT, Psychodynamic, DBT, Psychoanalytic, etc. It can be really overwhelming! An integrative therapist draws on several of these approaches, adapting to what works best for each individual client.
Think of it like a GP who can refer you to different specialists depending on what you need, rather than treating everything the same way.
The two main approaches I draw on
My work is grounded in two core approaches.
Person-Centred therapy puts you at the heart of the work. The focus is on your experience, your feelings, and your own capacity to find a way forward. There is no fixing, or giving you the answers, but rather a space to be heard and understood.
A Psychodynamic approach looks more deeply at how your past shapes your present. Often the patterns we fall into - in relationships, at work, in how we see ourselves - have roots in our earliest attachment experiences. Understanding those experiences can be genuinely freeing.
I also use creative and somatic techniques
Talking is powerful, but it isn't the only way to process difficult experiences. I sometimes incorporate creative approaches for example, cards & drawing and somatic techniques that work with the body as well as the mind. These aren't compulsory but I do encourage it as a holistic approach. There is no pressure at all though; just additional tools when they feel useful.
So is integrative counselling right for you?
If you want a therapist who will tailor their approach to you rather than fitting you into a fixed method, integrative counselling is worth considering.
I offer in-person sessions in Norwood Junction SE25 and online sessions throughout the UK, along with a free 15 minute chat to see if we're a good fit.
