A Guide to Integrative Counselling

The integrative approach to psychotherapy combines different styles of counselling so that therapy can suit 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 of counselling allows therapy to be flexible and adaptable in line with each client’s personal needs and expectations.

Integrative psychotherapy combines several different counselling styles and techniques

An integrative therapist is trained in a number of different counselling and psychological theories and draws upon these different approaches to help each client in a way that best suits that person’s needs. 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. Life experiences are different for everyone and the integrative approach acknowledges these differences.

Depending upon the needs of the individual client, an integrative therapist may use person-centred counselling techniques, psychodynamic theory, existential therapy or cognitive behavioural therapy techniques in working with a client. Rather than using one counselling approach throughout a client’s therapy experience, an integrative therapist will use different approaches as needed. Integrative therapy is flexible and adaptable while the client and therapist work together as therapy unfolds and evolves.

Integrative psychotherapy is a modern, collaborative approach to therapy. The approach is more inclusive than many other types of therapy as the client and therapist work together. Integrative therapists actively engage in the client’s experience of therapy. With integrative psychotherapy, therapy is tailored to the client rather than the client being expected to fit one specific type of therapy.

What are the benefits of integrative psychotherapy?

Some people believe the flexible and adaptable nature of integrative psychotherapy is a significant benefit. As therapy progresses, an integrative therapist might recognise opportunities to employ a different therapeutic approach or technique to help the client further along. Rather than sticking to just one approach, the integrative therapist will have a set of different approaches to use that may work better for a client than using just one single approach.

Another goal of integrative psychotherapy is to integrate the many different aspects of each individual. Through 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 longer-term therapy experiences. This type of therapy has been shown to be useful for many personal issues including bereavement, relationship issuesdepressionanxietysexual issuesself-harm and with eating disorders. The integrative approach is a broad approach to therapy that involves a close working collaboration between the client and the therapist.

The client has control in how integrative therapy takes shape

While some clients have a clear preference for the type of therapy they want to receive, most clients want whichever type of counselling that will be the most effective for their personal needs. Because the integrative approach is flexible and collaborative, the client has some control over the type of therapy used during their counselling experience. The style and type of therapy may change during the course of therapy, using the most effective approach for the client at any given time. For example, a client might request exercises or homework during the course of their therapy. In this case, a cognitive behavioural approach to therapy might be helpful.  At other times, a client may want to talk about experiences from the past that might be affecting thoughts and behaviours today and, in this case, a psychodynamic approach may be more useful.

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. This approach works on the basis that one approach to counselling does not fit everyone.

The Integrative approach is one of several types of therapy we provide in London

The integrative approach is one of several types of therapy we provide in London. While integrative psychotherapy is a contemporary and flexible type of therapy, our therapists are trained and experienced in several different types of counselling. You may want to learn more about the other types of counselling and psychotherapy that we offer:

Taking the first steps

Finding the right therapist is an important first step. There are many kinds of therapy in London and many kinds of therapists. 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.

Many of our clients have had therapy before. However, if this is your first experience of therapy you may feel unsure about what to expect. At your first appointment with us, you will meet with a qualified therapist who will speak with you about recent events in your life and help you determine how we might help you achieve your goals in therapy.

First appointments are usually available within one week, though circumstances sometimes require that we operate a short waiting list. Appointments are available from 7.30 am until 8.30 pm. You may contact us by telephone on 0333 207 9330 or email info@onetherapy.london  We welcome all enquiries.

Our integrative therapists

Amrita Athwal, Mita Hiremath, Kira Jolliffe, Ben Brackenbury, Marta Pisarri, Nikki Palmer, Janis Dellner, Annie Curran-White. Tom Leonard, Lindsay Gould, Tatjana Strbac, Genny Hawken, Cora Beattie, Ben Marks, Sara Barry, Kate Crawford, Ceri Hiles, Dwayne Jackson

Click to see all our therapists’ profiles.

Guides

Appointments available

Mondays to Fridays
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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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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Individual counselling

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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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Therapists in London

Finding the right therapist is an important first step.

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Counselling, psychotherapy and couples therapy in London since 2006

Client Reviews

One Therapy London

Therapist Kerry McEwen
Kerry McEwen

A BACP registered member, qualified to an advanced-level in psychodynamic psychotherapy, Kerry offers a confidential and supportive space for both short and long-term therapy Kerry recognises that painful memories are often buried deeply within the unconscious, frequently manifesting in unhelpful patterns of behaviour and ways of relating to others Additionally these...

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Therapist Asma Gharbi
Asma Gharbi

Consultant Psychodynamic Psychotherapist Couples and Relationship Therapist Counselling Psychologist Asma offers psychodynamic, humanistic and integrative therapies to individuals and couples She tailors her approach to meet the needs and preferences of her clients She offers short and long term therapy Asma provides a non-judgemental space for her clients, where they...

Oxford Circus

Kensington

Therapist Geraldine Lothian
Geraldine Lothian

Consultant Therapist Geraldine (she/her) is a psychodynamic psychotherapist who works with individuals Geraldine’s style of therapy is to work collaboratively with her clients and at each client’s pace  It is sometimes difficult to make the decision to start therapy but Geraldine works together with her clients to address any issues that may feel difficult to...

Fitzrovia

Therapist Yussef Ferguson
Yussef Ferguson

Consultant Psychodynamic Psychotherapist MSc Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy BA (Hons) Social Work Yussef is a Psychodynamic Psychotherapist who offers both long and short term personal therapy to individuals He has experience of working with a diverse range of clients and can provide a warm, confidential space to explore and gain insight into any past or...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Magda Piesiewicz
Magda Piesiewicz

Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist MSc in Psychology Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Sexology Magda helps couples and individuals who are facing psychosexual and relationship struggles She also specialises in compulsive sexual behaviours (often misunderstood as sex addiction) She aims to create a non-judgmental, supportive space where her clients can be open...

Fitzrovia

Therapist Marta Pisarri
Marta Pisarri

Consultant Integrative Psychotherapist Visiting lecturer at Regent's University Diploma in Somatic Trauma Therapy Advance Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy MSc in Clinical Psychology Marta is a psychologist and an integrative psychotherapist: she has been working in the field of mental health for over 12 years in both private...

Soho

Kensington

Therapist Annie Curran-White
Annie Curran-White

Senior Consultant Therapist MA Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy Awareness in Bereavement Care With a Masters degree in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, Annie offers both short and long term, open-ended therapy to individuals Her experience includes depression, stress and anxiety, bereavement, loss, personal development and trauma Annie has...

Soho

Therapist Shelly Klein
Shelley Klein

Consultant Therapist 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...

Soho

Therapist Patricia Connolly
Patricia Connolly

Consultant Psychodynamic Psychotherapist Patricia works within a psychodynamic approach This focuses on early life experience and  relationships to help you understand how they shape who you are in the present When you begin to more fully explore your emotions and attitudes you can find a deeper self–knowledge, which can also transform the way you relate to...

Soho

Therapist Barbara Beyaz
Barbara Beyaz

Consultant Therapist MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy Postgraduate Certificate in Integrative Psychotherapy Barbara brings a warm, non-judgmental, and accepting attitude to her work with clients As an integrative Psychotherapist, she draws from a range of theoretical perspectives which allows her to tailor therapy to the needs of the client Barbara thinks that...

Fitzrovia