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

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

Connect with Us

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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Counselling and psychotherapy for individuals and couples counselling since 2006

Client Reviews

Effective, affordable counselling in London

Roz Urquhart

Roz is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist, who offers both long- and short-term psychotherapy She works with a varied client group offering a welcoming, safe and confidential therapeutic space in which to help her clients explore and process the issues that are bringing them into therapy Roz supports her clients to focus on unconscious processes, inner conflicts and...

Oxford Circus

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

Yussef Ferguson

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 present personal difficulties and experiences Yussef works with issues such as anxiety, depression, loss,...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Rhiannon Whipps
Rhiannon Whipps

Rhiannon is a psychodynamic counsellor and psychotherapist with over ten years experience of working within the field of mental health Rhiannon provides an empathic and non-judgemental therapeutic space for her clients to explore any difficulties which they may be facing Within the safety of a confidential environment, she encourages her clients to openly explore...

Soho

Therapist Stamatia Lorentzou
Stamatia Lorentzou

Stamatia draws on a broad range of theories of psychotherapy She works collaboratively with her clients to understand the causes of their concern and find ways to move forward Stamatia offers both short-term and longer-term therapy She has worked in various organisational settings with individuals seeking to address relationship issues, low self esteem, separation,...

Bloomsbury

Therapist Barbara Perini
Barbara Perini

Barbara is an accredited member of BACP, holding an MSc in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and adhering to the BACP ethical framework Her approach is open-ended, offering both short-term and long-term therapy Barbara has also trained in Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT), a short-term (16 sessions), semi-structured individual therapy developed for mood...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Catherine Hammett
Catherine Hammett

Catherine offers a safe, confidential space for clients bringing a wide range of issues to therapy  These include anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, anger and work-related stress  Catherine also supports clients experiencing depression, bereavement and life transitions  Among her specialist interests are post-traumatic growth and working with adult...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Evan Bates
Evan Bates

Evan is a psychodynamic therapist, offering both long and short term therapy He creates a non-judgemental and reflective space to help clients explore their difficulties and concerns Working together to understand the connections between past and current relationships, Evan supports clients in developing a deeper awareness of their recurring emotional patterns and further...

Soho

Therapist Mita Hiremath
Mita Hiremath

Mita has been involved in the field of counselling and psychotherapy for over 30 years and has a wealth of experience working in the voluntary sector, the NHS and private practice She is a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist Additionally, she holds an MSc in Psychotherapy and is a trained EMDR therapist She has also facilitated support groups in the voluntary...

Bloomsbury

Therapist Silvi Naskinova
Silvi Naskinova

Silvi is a psychodynamic psychotherapist offering both long- and short-term therapy  She aims to provide a safe, supportive and non-judgmental space for her clients to explore whatever is on their minds Her work helps individuals understand how their experiences (both past and present) and any unconscious forces might be impacting their relationships and ways of coping...

Oxford Circus