Have you thought about trying a long-term psychotherapy, but aren’t sure which type would be best for you? Do you wish you could use more than one approach to resolve your problems, or are you concerned that just one type may not be enough?  Integrative therapy is a strong option.

Integrative therapy: what is it?

Psychotherapeutic approaches and tools are combined in integrative therapy to best address your problems. 

Integrative therapists are trained in several types of counselling and psychotherapy, including psychoanalysis, humanism, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness. 

Integrating yourself as a person is also part of the integrative approach. What is the relationship between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, as well as your physical and spiritual health? How could you feel more balanced? Integrative approaches do not seek to change you, but to make you the best version of yourself.

What is the process of integrative therapy?

Integrative therapy is an individualized, holistic approach to therapy that combines ideas and techniques from different therapeutic schools based on the unique needs of the client. Therefore, it is sometimes viewed more as a movement within psychotherapy than as a form of therapy by itself. By combining elements of different psychological theories and modifying standard treatments, integrative therapists can often offer more flexibility and inclusive treatment than those who specialize in a single form of therapy.

Holistic therapy is sometimes referred to as integrative therapy because it considers a person’s mental, physical, and emotional health together. A therapist and client should work together to identify the causes of anxiety, unhappiness, physical discomfort, or unhealthy behavior.

Integrative therapy may be especially appealing to people who want to be involved in their own therapy, and who view therapy as a partnership.

How integrative therapy is used

Integrative psychotherapy approaches can be incorporated into almost any long-term or short-term therapeutic work with children, adolescents, and adults, whether one-on-one, with couples, with families, or in groups. There are a variety of psychological concerns that can be treated with an integrative approach, including depression, anxiety, personality disorders, grief, low self-esteem, self-harm, trauma, PTSD, sexual challenges, substance use disorders, and eating disorders.

During a session, what can I expect? 

Before deciding on the best course of action, your Expert Therapy integrative therapist will make a detailed assessment and get to know you and your issues well. Your therapy may include talking about your past, reflecting on your desired future, practical exercises for balancing your thinking, and tools such as body awareness and visualization.

Despite the fact that your sessions will use different approaches, they will still have a cohesive structure to support you and ensure your progress. 

How can I expect my results to turn out? 

The benefits of integrative counselling and psychotherapy include:  

• Identify the root cause of your challenges and issues
• Be aware of your unhelpful behaviors and what triggers them
• Get better results in life and relationships by trying new behaviors
• Break through the limitations you thought you had
• Feel more balanced within yourself and about your life as a whole
• Make sure your goals are something you are proud of
• Enhance your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being
• Become more open and available to life.

Where can I find integrative therapists near me? 

Interested in integrative therapy near you? You can find it in the Expert therapy. Can’t make it to London, or overseas? Online sessions are also available with integrative therapists. Use our online booking form or call us now.  

For what issues is it recommended? 

Integrative counselling can be helpful for a wide variety of issues, including:

• Substance abuse
• Grief
• Depression and anxiety
• Anorexia
• Phobias and fears
• Self-esteem issues
• Psychiatric disorders
• Problems with relationships 
• Abuse and trauma.

With Expert Therapy, you can be more available to yourself and your life

All of our integrative therapists have been trained at top institutions and have many years of experience. They are committed to your personal growth, to seeing you as the unique individual you are, and to creating a warm, empathic environment for you to learn about yourself. 

Related topics

• What is integrative therapy?
• The different schools of psychotherapeutic thought
• Balanced thinking – how does it work?

Frequently asked questions

How effective is integrative therapy?

In order for you to achieve your goals, you must be committed to the sometimes challenging process of therapy, if this format of therapy is compatible with your personality and learning style, and if you and your therapist are able to connect. A relationship is at the heart of therapy, and even when a person comes to therapy with trust issues, it’s important to find a therapist he or she respects and can trust over time. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness are evidence-based approaches used by many integrative therapists. According to a research overview, integrative therapies are helpful for anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. 

What does an integrative therapist do?

To help you feel better about yourself, to have a better work-life balance, and to be able to cope better, integrative therapists combine different psychotherapeutic approaches. 

What are integrative therapy examples?

Depending on their training and what they think would be most effective for you, integrative therapists can combine a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches. In the UK, most therapists are trained in the popular therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and psychodynamic psychotherapy. Additionally, they might use schema therapy, cognitive analytical therapy (CAT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), transactional analysis, and Gestalt therapy. Give us a call if you are interested in trying certain therapies to see if there are any therapists that might fit your needs. 

How much does therapy cost in London?

It is possible for therapy in London to cost a great deal of money. The type of therapy a therapist provides depends on his or her training, experience, and expertise. Almost all of our therapists at Expert Therapy London have at least seven years of postgraduate experience. Hand-picked for being among the best in their field, they undergo top training at top institutions. Despite not being the cheapest therapists in London, their services are safe and effective. The cost of a session with one of our therapists starts at £180. Just give our friendly team a call to learn more about a specific therapist. 

Is integrative therapy the same as ‘eclectic therapy’?

It is sometimes used interchangeably with integrative therapy, but eclectic therapy simply refers to drawing from different approaches. As part of integrative talk therapy, you will also consider your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and even your spiritual and physical health as part of the process. 

What are the disadvantages of integrative therapy?

Integrative therapy might be too flexible for people who prefer a very rigorous, repetitive approach. Due to the varied nature of integrative therapy sessions, research methods are also difficult to use.