Humanistic Integrative Psychotherapist

What does an Integrative Approach to therapy mean?

An Integrative approach to therapy is using a variety of different therapeutic orientations and choosing what fits your unique client.   Everyone is unique with their own genetic and environmental experiences and influences.  Bearing this in mind how could one approach fit for everyone.  I take the best of the therapeutic approaches and use them according to what issues are presented by the client.  At the heart of the most effective therapy is the therapeutic relationship.  I believe this is fundamental in the best therapeutic outcomes. I am a warm and empathetic therapist but I am also willing to challenge you when I notice there are unhelpful or dysfunctional thoughts and behaviours. A strong therapeutic relationship is the strongest predictor of positive therapeutic outcomes regardless of therapeutic orientations. Therapy can help you resolve past issues enabling you to live a more fulfilled life.   The Humanistic Integrative Approach incorporates a variety of therapeutic models from Person-Centred, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychodynamic, Humanistic, Gestalt, Transpersonal and Transactional Analysis.  I also work using Somatic therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy and Neuroscience. In recent years there has been an increase in the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for counselling. This is usually offered on a short terms basis and can often be seen as a "quick fix". CBT can be beneficial specifically when working with anxiety, panic attacks and depression. Research does suggest CBT is effective however, no more effective than other therapeutic approaches.  

I also think it is important to clarify the difference between a Counsellor and a Psychotherapist.  A counsellor is usually someone that is newly qualified and often offers short term work. A Psychotherapist is usually more experienced and qualified and also works on a long term basis.