A guide to integrative counselling

The integrative approach to psychotherapy combines different styles of counselling so that therapy suits each client’s specific needs at any given time.

What works for one person in therapy may not be the best approach for someone else, and the integrative model allows therapy to be flexible and adaptable in line with each client’s individual needs.

Integrative therapy combines different counselling styles

An integrative therapist is trained in a number of different counselling and psychological theories and draws upon these different approaches to tailor their style to each different client. The integrative approach assumes that each person is unique and that no single approach to therapy can address the physical, social, emotional and psychological needs of all people.

Depending on the needs of the client, an integrative therapist may use person-centred counselling techniques, psychodynamic theory, existential therapy or cognitive behavioural techniques. 

Just as different clients have different needs, what one client needs when they start therapy may be quite different to what they need later on. An integrative therapist may take a more person-centred approach at the outset of therapy, for example, then bring in more psychodynamic techniques once the client has settled into the work.

What are the benefits of integrative psychotherapy?

Some people consider the flexible and adaptable nature of integrative psychotherapy a significant benefit. As well as adapting to different clients and different stages of therapy, an integrative counsellor may subtly and sensitively alter their approach according to what the client is discussing or how the client is feeling that day. 

Another goal of integrative psychotherapy is to integrate the many different aspects of each individual. By increasing self-awareness, integrative psychotherapy attempts to bring together the psychological, emotional, physical, social and physical parts of each client, so that these parts work together to best complete a whole, fully-integrated person.

Integrative psychotherapy can be effective for both short or long-term therapy. It has been shown to be useful for many personal issues including:

The client is involved in shaping integrative therapy

While some clients have a clear preference for a particular type of therapy, many clients are unsure which would be best for them. Choosing an integrative therapist means you don’t have to know what approach you want in advance – you can try out different approaches and find your preferences as you go along.

Some clients want to combine aspects of different approaches. For example, they may want cognitive behavioural exercises to address one issue, but also want the insight about their unconscious processes that a psychodynamic perspective can bring. Working with an integrative therapist would give the client both. 

Integrative therapy can be used in the treatment of almost all types of personal issues and for clients of all ages. The integrative therapist will consider the individual characteristics, personality, needs, ability and motivations of each client to determine which type of therapy might be most helpful at any given time.

This type of therapy can take place in one of our central London practices on online if you prefer online counselling.

Essentially, integrative psychotherapy is designed to suit the client rather than expecting the client to suit a particular type of therapy. 

Integrative counselling is just one types of therapy we provide in London

While integrative counselling is a contemporary and flexible type of therapy, we also offer other kinds of therapy in central London. You may want to learn more about :

 

Taking the first step

Finding the right therapist is an important first step. If you have a preference for a certain type of therapist or a certain style of therapy, please tell us your preferences at the time of booking your appointment.

If this is your first experience of therapy, you might feel anxious and not know what to expect. Our questions and answers may put your mind at ease.

First appointments are usually available within one week. Appointments are available from 7.30 am until 8.30 pm. You may contact us or book online. We welcome all enquiries.

Our integrative therapists

If you are looking for an integrative therapist, read our therapists’ profiles. You will find that many of them work integratively.

Guides

Appointments available

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7.30 am until 8.30 pm
Saturdays and Sundays
8.00 am until 6.00 pm

Call to book a first appointment
0333 207 9330

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Our clients have reported great results!

Mr K
“I was attending sessions at One Therapy practice for about 1 1/2 years. I am very happy with the result, sessions there really helped me. I am really grateful to my therapist. Someone recommended him to me as a high professional and it proved right, thank you.”
Mrs M
“I can only provide positive comments on my sessions with (my therapist). This was my first experience with a therapist, and she managed to make me feel comfortable. And I must say that the sessions were helpful and efficient.”
Mrs E
“My therapist was extremely helpful, considerate and understanding. I felt she properly understood what the issues I had were, and their underlying causes, and I feel I benefited considerably from the sessions with her.”
Mrs N
“I immediately felt completely at ease as they were very professional while showing genuine care and interest in helping me. I was able to confront many issues which I had so far chosen to ignore despite their negative effects on my personal relationships and happiness. I would have no hesitation in recommending (One Therapy) to anyone looking to improve their relationships and self-esteem.”
Mrs L
“I learned a lot about myself and about the relationships I make with other people. I was able to see where I was going wrong and I now make better personal choices. Thank you, again.”
Mrs R
“I can’t thank you enough for the help and support I got from my appointments. I would highly recommend therapy to anyone now. Therapy helped me in more ways than I could have imagined. Please tell (my therapist) how grateful I am for her help.”

What do I talk about in counselling?

One of the most common worries I hear expressed by people starting counselling is that they won’t know what to talk about. Some people think their problems aren’t significant enough. Others fear they have too much to say, that they might overwhelm the therapist…

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How does therapy help?

Over the years that I’ve worked as a therapist, I’ve been asked numerous times by prospective clients, “How does counselling help?”  And I’ve yet to come up with a satisfactory answer. Not because I’m in any doubt that it helps, but because the ‘how’ bit is so hard to articulate concisely…

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Counselling for individuals

Personal counselling can be about anything that is on your mind.

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Couples counselling

Couples counselling provides space for couples to discuss problems in their relationship and find solutions.

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Our therapists

We have over 30 qualified and experienced therapists to choose from.

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One Therapy London

Counselling, psychotherapy, couples counselling in London since 2006

Melinda Shalet - Therapist
Melinda Shalet

Melinda is an integrative therapist, offering a tailored approach to suit each client’s individual requirements She brings to her practice an understanding of high‑pressure environments shaped by her 20‑year career in the financial sector Melinda’s clients find her calm, compassionate and thoughtful approach to be transformative As therapy progresses,...

Oxford Circus

Geraldine Abberton - Therapist
Geraldine Abberton

Geraldine is an integrative therapist who draws on a range of therapeutic approaches including person-centred, CBT and psychodynamic modalities, to meet each client’s unique needs She believes in her clients’ innate resilience and capacity for growth, and helps them make sense of current challenges and past experiences, to gain the insight and self-understanding...

Oxford Circus

Annabel Lear - Therapist
Annabel Lear

Annabel is an integrative therapist offering both short- and long-term therapy Acknowledging that beginning therapy can feel daunting, Annabel establishes a secure and collaborative therapeutic relationship grounded in trust, empathy and genuine understanding Working from a humanistic-integrative perspective, Annabel believes every person has an innate capacity for...

Oxford Circus

Christine Andreasen - Therapist
Christine Andreasen

Christine (she/her) is an integrative counsellor, relationship therapist and psychosexual therapist She offers a warm and safe space to individuals and couples, with room for both tears and laughter Her approach is relational, curious and personal, focusing on understanding what makes each individual unique She works alongside her clients as they explore their...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Natasha Maidment
Natasha Maidment

Natasha is a person–centred counsellor and psychotherapist who will provide you with a safe, empathetic and non-judgemental space to explore any thoughts or concerns you wish to bring She works with a range of issues including anxiety, stress, critical thoughts, trauma, relationship issues, identity, depression, loss and low self-esteem Natasha offers a...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Tom Deitch
Tom Deitch

Tom is a popular and approachable psychotherapist who has extensive experience working with people from a variety of social and cultural backgrounds He brings a wealth of life experience, training and understanding to his work, offering help with depression, trauma, anxiety, abuse, sexual problems, addiction, relationship difficulties and many of the other obstacles life...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Stamatia Lorentzou
Stamatia Lorentzou

A senior therapist, Stamatia has been with One Therapy London for many years She holds a doctorate in counselling psychology and is a registered psychotherapist Stamatia knows it can be difficult to understand or cope with the strong feelings that life’s experiences can sometimes bring Talking with an experienced therapist is a way of thinking things through and...

Bloomsbury

Therapist Andreea Gligore
Andreea Gligore

Andreea has a wonderful ability to put people at ease Her clients say they feel safe and relaxed with her Those who were anxious about coming to therapy often comment that she made it much more comfortable than they were expecting Her style is integrative-relational What that means is that she pays particular attention to relationships, as that is where most distress...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Yussef Ferguson
Yussef Ferguson

Yussef offers a warm and confidential space to explore life’s challenges He is a psychodynamic therapist and works in a way that explores how past experiences and hidden patterns may shape your present thoughts, feelings and relationships In meetings with Yussef, you can speak freely about whatever feelings, memories or experiences are important to you You will begin...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Shelly Klein
Shelley Klein

As a psychodynamic therapist Shelley brings a wealth of experience to her work and supports her patients to talk about those aspects of their lives they are finding painful, upsetting or difficult to deal with, in a confidential, non-judgmental and peaceful setting Shelley is particularly interested in working with those who are experiencing depression, bereavement, high...

Bloomsbury