Integrative therapy
Integrative therapy is a flexible, personalized form of psychotherapy that merges techniques from different therapeutic approaches to best meet each person’s specific needs. Instead of relying on a single school of thought, integrative therapists draw from different types of therapy to create a treatment plan tailored to the individual. The purpose of integrative therapy is to offer a holistic, adaptive approach that can address a wide range of mental health concerns.
What are the origins of integrative therapy?
Integrative therapy formally emerged in the late 20th century as clinicians sought more adaptable, individualized approaches to mental health care. Key figures like George Stricker and Jerry Gold helped advance the idea of psychotherapy integration during the 1980s, emphasizing that no single method could address the full range of human psychological needs. Their work helped spark greater interest in blending different therapeutic modalities based on the client’s needs rather than adhering strictly to a one-size-fits-all theory or technique.
The development of integrative therapy was supported by academic and professional groups, including the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration (SEPI), founded in 1983. Rather than being a variation of one therapy style, integrative therapists draw from evidence-based methods like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness-based practices, humanistic therapy, and more to create a treatment plan tailored to the individual.
When is integrative therapy used?
Integrative therapy is used to treat individuals, couples, families, and groups. It can address conditions like anxiety, depression, social anxiety, and personality disorders. Whether someone is navigating life transitions, managing chronic stress, or healing from trauma, integrative therapy aims to support wellness by meeting people where they are emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually.
Because it draws from multiple modalities, it can be adapted for people of all ages and backgrounds, including adolescents, adults, and those navigating specific cultural, spiritual, or identity-related experiences. Integrative therapy is especially useful for clients with complex or overlapping concerns who may not benefit from a single, rigid therapy model.
How does integrative psychotherapy work?
Integrative psychotherapy works by combining different therapy techniques to create a treatment plan that fits each person’s unique needs, rather than following a one-size-fits-all method. At the start of therapy, the clinician asks questions to learn about the client’s symptoms, goals, and personal history.
Based on this, they select strategies from different psychotherapy approaches. For example, they’ll integrate cognitive behavioral therapy techniques such as challenging negative thoughts, mindfulness practices to manage stress, or psychodynamic techniques to explore deeper emotional patterns.
This flexibility helps people manage symptoms more effectively because it adapts as their needs change over time. By adopting the best parts of different therapies, integrative psychotherapy helps clients improve their emotional resilience, build stronger relationships, and gain tools to navigate everyday challenges.
What is integrative therapy like?
In integrative therapy, your first sessions typically focus on understanding your personal history, current challenges, and goals for therapy. The therapist might ask questions like, “What has helped or hurt you in past therapy experiences?” or “What coping strategies have you tried before?” These conversations help the therapist tailor a customized approach using the most appropriate techniques and theories for you.
During sessions, activities could range from practicing mindfulness exercises, to exploring thought patterns using cognitive behavioral techniques, to reflecting on relationship dynamics through psychodynamic discussions. You might be asked to track emotions or behaviors between sessions, practice new coping skills, or reflect on how past experiences shape current feelings.
Because integrative therapy is flexible, the focus can shift as your needs evolve, offering a therapy experience that grows with you over time, always aimed at supporting your overall wellness and personal development.
How long does integrative therapy take?
Typically, clients might engage in integrative therapy for about 12 to 20 sessions, though some people may continue longer if they are addressing deeper or multiple issues. The length of integrative therapy varies depending on a person’s goals, symptoms, and the complexity of their challenges. Sessions usually last around 50 to 60 minutes and are most often scheduled once a week, but the frequency can be adjusted based on individual needs and therapist recommendations.
Integrative therapy is designed to be flexible, so it does not have to be completed within a strict timeframe. Some people may focus on short-term goals and conclude therapy after a few months, while others may spread their work out over a longer period, taking breaks when needed. The adaptable nature of integrative therapy allows clients to pace their healing journey according to their own mental health needs and life circumstances.
Is integrative therapy effective?
Integrative therapy has demonstrated effectiveness across various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and personality disorders. The adaptability of integrative therapy allows psychotherapists to address complex and co-occurring issues more comprehensively.
Research supports the efficacy of integrative therapy. For instance, a study combining CBT with art therapy found that this integrative approach improved trauma processing in combat veterans, enhancing emotional expression and reducing avoidance behaviors.
Another study demonstrated that integrating short-term psychodynamic therapy with CBT effectively reduced depressive symptoms and increased ego strength in people with major depressive disorder. These findings suggest that integrative therapy can lead to meaningful improvements in mental health outcomes by leveraging the strengths of multiple therapeutic modalities.
What’s the difference between integrative therapy and eclectic therapy?
While both integrative and eclectic therapy involve drawing from multiple therapeutic approaches, they differ in structure and philosophy. Integrative therapy blends techniques from various modalities into a cohesive, unified treatment plan grounded in a consistent theoretical framework. The combined methods align conceptually, providing a structured and comprehensive path tailored to the client’s unique needs.
In contrast, eclectic therapy is even more flexible and pragmatic, selecting techniques from different therapies based on their immediate effectiveness for the client’s specific issues, without necessarily integrating them into a unified theoretical model. An eclectic therapist might use exposure therapy for one symptom and psychodynamic techniques for another, focusing on what works best in each situation. While this adaptability can be beneficial, it may lack the conceptual depth and consistency found in integrative therapy.
How to find an integrative therapist
If you think the different approaches used in integrative therapy might be right for you, it’s important to speak with a licensed and experienced clinician. There are many types of mental health care providers who practice integrative therapy, including licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, licensed professional counselors (LPCs), licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs) and more.
On top of finding a therapist who is skilled in integrative therapy, you want to make sure they meet your other needs. For example, if you struggle with an anxiety disorder, you’ll want to find an integrative therapist who also specializes in treating anxiety. In addition, finding a therapist who accepts your insurance can make therapy much more affordable.
You can find a therapist who accepts your insurance and specializes in integrative therapy by using Grow Therapy. After filtering for your location, insurance, and needs, you can then select “Integrative” from the “Treatment methods” drop-down.