What is integrative counselling?
Working to create a tool box of methods, techniques and practices
Integration means to seamlessly combine all the counselling theories and methods into a unique, authentic and congruent style of counselling. By mixing all of the theories, I can treat each client as they present in that moment, with what feels best for the moment to me as the counsellor. The hope is the I am not aware of choosing a specific theory or practice, but subconsciously using what I’ve learned to approach the relationship with you. Different counsellors will bring in more or less of different elements to create a different type of therapy. Integration is a fusion, using the distinct elements all together and more organically.
Historically it was believed that singular approaches were best practice, but now there is a growing agreement that it is impossible for one method or theory to be work for every client and situation. It has also been found that through research that common factors in therapeutic approaches such as the therapeutic alliance, empathy and unconditional positive regard are more important that specific therapeutic techniques.
What is Humanistic Counselling?
I find it fundamental to explore the basics of humanistic theory to understand how to implement an integrative approach into my own counselling practice. Just as each human is unique, humanistic counselling believes there are just as many ways of counselling. Our task as counsellors is to build a relationship with the growth promoting part of you, the client, your physis. Humanistic counselling is existential, in that we view human beings as being capable of thought, choice and therefore responsibility. When we are young, we make the best sense that we can of the world in order to survive, which can lead to the creation of unhelpful patterns of thinking feeling and behaving. It is the counsellor’s role to work with people to identify these patterns, realise that it is possible to change them, and change them in agreed ways that are working toward physis, not destruction.
What is the goal of therapy?
Carl Rogers said that simply being heard, listened to, understood, accepted, is powerful enough to evoke awareness that can lead to change. His theory states that it is you who knows what hurts and what’s important, making it the therapist’s job to rely on the client to lead the direction of the process. As you are the expert and the therapist is simply there to guide them along their self-directed path of self-discovery.
In order for me to help you activate the actualizing tendency (positive growth), Rogers said the three core conditions must be present in the therapy room. These conditions are that I must show empathy, be congruent and hold the you in unconditional positive regard. The goal of therapy would be to help you find a way of awareness through empathy that is closer to your true self without distortion or denial.
Physis, the belief that we all have the ability within ourselves to grow and fulfil our unique identities, is key to blending all the methods. If I believe you truly have potential to grow and change for the better, it will make it possible for me to draw on whatever method or theory is necessary in the moment.
How does counselling work?
This way of thinking then leads to the idea that an Integrative counsellor works through respect (I’m OK – You’re OK), and to foster responsibility. It is this basic belief that I find myself working on most in my own therapy and which supports me when meeting clients who differ from me. Understanding my own process is key to working with you and figuring out what might work or not or be helpful or not. As a counsellor, I am drawn to certain ways of working and not others, and this is all related to my own process and how I manage problems. My aim is also to be congruent and create my own flexible, authentic practice.
