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

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…

Read more

Individual counselling

Personal counselling can be about anything that’s on your mind.

Read more

Couples counselling

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

Read more

Therapists in London

Finding the right therapist is an important first step.

Read more

Counselling, psychotherapy and couples therapy in London since 2006

Client Reviews

One Therapy London

Therapist Toulla Nicolaides
Toulla Nicolaides

Consultant Therapist Toulla is an integrative relational therapist using a combination of therapeutic approaches to help her clients She provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals to explore their difficulties in life, relationships and childhood and to share and resolve confusing and overwhelming feelings Toulla believes that, though challenging,...

Fitzrovia

Therapist Ameet Magan
Ameet Magan

Consultant Therapist Ameet is from London and holds an MSc in Integrative Psychotherapy He has more than a decade’s experience of working in a one-to-one capacity with clients He has also trained in groupwork and has worked since 2016 as a group psychotherapist and clinical practitioner with the NHS in East London Ameet is a warm, grounded and reflective person He...

Kensington

Therapist Stamatia Lorentzou
Stamatia Lorentzou

Senior Consultant Therapist 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,...

Bloomsbury

Therapist Jackson
Dwayne Jackson

Senior Consultant Therapist Founder and Director Jackson has lived in USA, Hong Kong and London He studied psychology in America and integrative psychotherapy in the United Kingdom Jackson is open to discussing any life experience or behaviour a client might put forward He feels there should be no shame or judgement in discussing life choices, experiences or...

Bloomsbury

Therapist Nicola Reeves
Nicola Reeves

Consultant Therapist MA Psychodynamic Psychotherapy  EMDR Practitioner Qualified Clinical Supervisor Nicola is a psychodynamic psychotherapist and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) therapist Nicola believes in giving clients time and space to approach therapy in the way they need to approach it She finds this is the best way to develop a...

Soho

Therapist Rhiannon Whipps
Rhiannon Whipps

Consultant Therapist 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...

Oxford Circus

Soho

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

Therapist Silvi Naskinova
Silvi Naskinova

Consultant Therapist MSc in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy HE in Humanistic and Psychodynamic Counselling Silvi is a Psychodynamic Psychotherapist offering both long and shorter-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...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Evan Bates
Evan Bates

Consultant Therapist 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...

Soho

Fitzrovia

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