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.
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.
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 issues, depression, anxiety, sexual issues, self-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.
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. 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:
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 [email protected] We welcome all enquiries.
Amrita Athwal
Mita Hiremath
Kira Jolliffe
Ben Brackenbury
Marta Pisarri
Nikki Palmer
Janis Dellner
Mita Hiremath
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.
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
Psychoanalysis was founded by Dr. Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) who revolutionised our thinking about the human mind. Dr. Freud’s psychoanalysis is both theory and therapy, and his psycho-analytic theory forms the basis for many current psychodynamic theories. Freud was the first…
Read more
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 moreOur counselling services are conducted in a supportive, non-judgemental atmosphere and discussions in therapy are […]
Read moreCouples counselling, or relationship therapy, provides space for couples to discuss relationship problems in an […]
Read moreOur therapists have been trained in accredited institutions and are members of the British Association […]
Read more
David believes in the ability of individuals to heal and better their lives, transforming difficulties, trauma, and anxiety into personal insight He offers integrative psychosexual and relationship therapy in a safe, confidential and non-judgemental environment David sees individuals and couples with a wide range of issues that include concerns around sex and intimacy, communication and relationship difficulties,...
Oxford Circus
Jennifyr is a qualified practitioner in integrative psychosexual and relationship therapy and sees adult individuals and couples (including family relationships ie mother and daughter) Jennifyr’s training is integrative which means she will draw on different models of psychotherapy and ways of working with human behaviour Jennifyr explores the dynamics of mind, body, brain and emotions, individually and in depth...
Oxford Circus
Ben believes that at times we all struggle with the challenges life has to offer and therapy provides a safe, confidential, non-judgemental space to explore this Ben works with individuals to make sense of who they are and how they respond to the world today, and to explore new ways of being Ben is also sensitive to how difficult it might be for a client to talk to a stranger about personal issues, so creating an...
Oxford Circus
Nikki is an empathic, approachable therapist who is not afraid to challenge her clients At the heart of her work is the capacity to offer a warm, respectful, supportive, non-judgmental space where clients are welcome to bring the scared and vulnerable parts of themselves for careful reflection Nikki’s therapeutic approach is integrative, drawing on various theoretical models to work with each client in a way that is...
Soho
Genny is an integrative psychotherapist with a background of many years working with individuals for the NHS as a speech and language therapist She has an MA in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy and works with adults presenting with a wide range of difficulties concerning their mental wellbeing She draws from the psychodynamic and humanistic approaches to psychotherapy and consider the therapeutic...
Soho
Shelley is a psychodynamically-trained therapist and counsellor working with adult patients from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds She believes psychotherapy is a useful means of talking about aspects of your life that you are finding painful, upsetting or difficult to cope with, in a non-judgmental, confidential and trusted setting Shelley offers both long and short-term therapy and has a particular...
Soho
Tom is a psychodynamic therapist with a compassionate, empathic and understanding approach to his clients He offers a safe and confidential space where clients will be listened to without judgement Tom has experience in helping people address a range of personal difficulties including depression, anxiety, bereavement, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood trauma, low self-esteem, addiction and many other...
Oxford Circus
Brighton
Jackson sees individuals with a range of personal, emotional and behavioural issues including relationship and intimacy issues, problems resulting form childhood trauma, issues arising from physical, emotional or sexual abuse, sex and sexuality issues, fear and phobias, transgender and gender identity issues, issues around cancer and cancer treatment, chronic illness, infertility issues and concerns around the purpose...
Soho
Ben is an experienced psychotherapist who has helped many people through difficult times in their lives He works with clients with a wide range of personal issues around depression, anxiety, bereavement, trauma, abuse, loneliness, stresses within the workplace, low self esteem, relationship and sexual problems including performance anxiety, erectile dysfunction and struggles with intimacy Ben has also worked with...
Oxford Circus
Ceri works with adult clients wanting to explore a range of concerns including anxiety, depression, relationship and family problems, issues arising from physical, emotional or psychological abuse and confidence and self-esteem issues He has particular experience of working with bereavement and loss Ceri’s training in psychodynamic and person-centred approaches to therapy has given him an understanding of each...
Soho
