There are many examples of integrative therapy that clinicians like me use to produce the best results for our clients. The goal of an integrative practice is to uniquely tailor the interventions to what will work best and be most comfortable for our clients. Choosing a path will be something we do together. There are many possibilities, and I will ensure you feel comfortable and secure with our chosen methods.
The following are some examples of integrative therapy I use in my practice. As you will see, combining different methods can produce a powerful and effective combination for treatment. This is not an exhaustive list, and as you browse my blog and see the different therapeutic approaches I use, you may get an idea of what combination will work best for you.
I would be happy to speak with you about the combinations of approaches that might work well for you, but first, here is an overview that may give you some ideas.
Examples of Integrative Therapy in My Practice
Integrative therapy seeks to harness the strengths of different therapeutic modalities and integrate them synergistically. This integration can enhance the effectiveness of treatment by combining complementary approaches and addressing multiple layers of your experience. Here are some of the more common examples of integrative therapy that I use:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Integrating CBT techniques with mindfulness practices from MBSR can help you develop awareness of your thoughts and emotions while learning effective coping strategies. This is one of the more powerful examples of integrative therapy and, therefore, a common one I use. This powerful approach brings fast and meaningful results for some since both techniques are designed to show some benefits fairly quickly.
This combination is particularly well-suited for many forms of anxiety, stress management in general, and work- or school-related stress. It is great for people who want to come away with a toolkit to use should stress return.
Psychodynamic Therapy and Gestalt Therapy
Combining psychodynamic exploration of unconscious processes with the experiential techniques of Gestalt therapy can help you gain insight into your underlying motivations and unresolved issues while also addressing present-moment experiences. In short, this approach brings your unconscious thoughts and feelings to life. This is a powerful combination of two otherwise quite different approaches and one that you will likely not see in a non-integrative practice.
This combination is particularly helpful with life transitions, general malaise (longstanding mild depression), and a feeling of having a lack of meaning in life. It may take a little longer than other approaches, but the results can be profound.
Family Systems Therapy and Narrative Therapy
Integrating the systemic perspective of family systems therapy with the narrative approach can help families understand how their stories and interactions shape their dynamics, facilitating positive change and fostering new narratives. This approach is most commonly used with family therapy where the children are older adolescents or adults. It also works well with couples therapy. I enjoy using this approach because the whole family can get involved, and the insights that people reach can be quite powerful and interesting.
This approach suits many families well, particularly when the issues and concerns are not urgent or severe, but they want to regain closeness and improve relationships.
Existential Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Combining existential exploration of life’s meaning and freedom with the acceptance-based strategies of ACT can help you develop psychological flexibility and live by your values despite existential concerns. This is an example of integrative therapy that works well with clients who come in without a specific intense stressor but more of a general malaise. I have found that this treatment method works well for those who cannot quite figure out why they don’t feel like life has enough meaning or enjoyment but don’t know why.
This example of integrative therapy works well for life transitions, grief and loss, and general malaise. It also is a sound approach for people who want to develop a deeper sense of meaning in their lives.
Solution-focused Therapy and Motivational Interviewing
Integrating the solution-focused approach of setting specific goals and exploring solutions with collaborative and client-centered motivational interviewing techniques can empower you to make positive changes and achieve their desired outcomes. These two techniques both produce relatively fast results and in combination, they can produce motivating and empowering change.
These two techniques, in combination, work well for depression, anxiety, and specific stresses. They are good whenever the concern is clear and specific, and the goals are measurable.
Over-arching Examples of Integrative Therapy
The power of integrative therapy lies in its ability to tailor treatment to the unique needs of each individual therapy client while drawing from a diverse range of therapeutic approaches. Above, I went over specific examples of integrative therapy, but here are some more general aspects of the power of integrative therapy.
Holistic Examples of Integrative Therapy
This general approach considers the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—recognizing that mental health issues often stem from a combination of psychological, biological, social, and spiritual factors. Integrative therapy can provide more comprehensive and effective treatment by addressing these various aspects. Often, to feel better and more content, a holistic approach works well, and we can piece together methods to make this happen.
Customized Examples of Integrative Therapy
As an integrative therapist, I can adapt their approach to meet clients’ needs and preferences. This customization allows me to incorporate techniques and interventions from multiple modalities, ensuring that treatment fully aligns with your goals and experiences. In addition, we can change things as you reach goals or we realize that a new approach may help.
Switching Between Methods
Sometimes, as in the examples above, an integrative approach means that techniques are used simultaneously, but it can also refer to alternatives between therapeutic approaches. There are many examples of integrative therapy in my practice where we change therapeutic approaches as we go, using different techniques to tackle different issues or approaching the same issue in different ways.
Integrative therapy can address a wide range of issues, from specific symptoms of mental illness to broader concerns related to personal growth, relationships, and existential questions. By integrating multiple therapeutic perspectives, clients can receive more comprehensive and multifaceted treatment.
Conclusions and Next Steps
Integrative therapy emphasizes collaboration between you and me, empowering you to participate actively in their healing process. Integrative therapy is well-suited to addressing my client’s diverse needs, including cultural, religious, and philosophical differences. I can draw from a broad toolkit of interventions to tailor treatment to my client’s background, values, and preferences.
Overall, the power of integrative therapy lies in its ability to provide holistic, personalized, and effective treatment that addresses the complexity of human experience and promotes healing, growth, and well-being. It allows us to combine and alternate techniques to address your concerns in a powerful and multifaceted way. All of this is not to say that choosing a provider who focuses on just one or two approaches is a mistake – many very talented therapists focus on one or two. If there is a very specific approach you are looking for it can make it easy to do a search.
These are just a few examples, and I use many other examples of integrative therapy approaches. Please feel free to schedule a consultation or contact me if you want to discuss any of this further.
