Eclectic Or Integrative Psychotherapeutic Treatment - Research Paper Example

Counseling By student name University Name Date Introduction For one to provide counseling and psychotherapy according to the scholar practitioner framework one has to develop a strong personal theory of psychotherapy and obtain professional expertise by undergoing training and practice (Corey, 2009). Specialized practitioners are attentive of empirically researched and authorized treatment methods, and they always keep abreast of new research. Currently integrative approach to psychotherapy seems to be newest trend in psychology. Research shows that when a psychologist is providing their services to a multicultural community they require tools which they can use to look at the person holistically and provide their services effectively and in a timely manner (Corey, 2009). Observing individuals through a multicultural lens means that you clearly understand their religion, culture, age, ethnic, family background and gender; A singular approach does not consider all the aspects of an individual’s psychological development. Psychologists must have intellectual understanding of various counseling theories and therapy so as to strengthen their practices by offering their services using different techniques (Corey, 2009). The following paper analyses the integrative psychotherapy approach by looking at its advantages and disadvantages and the reason why I support integrative psychotherapy. Integrative Psychotherapy Discussion Psychotherapy integration can be defined as an approach to psychotherapy which includes different attempts to look beyond the limitations of single school approach so as to see what can be learned from other views (Sullivan, 2008). It is symbolized by openness to different techniques of incorporating various theories and methods. Integrative psychotherapy is differentiated from eclectic approach such that eclectic approach involves the therapist choosing interventions since they work without considering the theoretical basis for practicing the technique. Despite the rationale of efficacy being reasonable it is often based on past memories without any reference to research data or theory (Sullivan, 2008). Compared to integrative psychotherapy, which considers the relationship between theory and technique, integrative psychotherapy has been applied in different ways such as common factors approach to understanding psychotherapy, technical and assimilative integration (Sullivan, 2008). The different types of integration are: Systematic eclecticism, Theoretical integration, Assimilative integration and Common factors (Sullivan, 2008). Integrative psychotherapy involves the process of integrating the character of the client, assisting the client to adapt and harmonize the contents of his or her ego states, relax the defense mechanisms surrender the life script and re-engage the world with full interaction .It is the process of making the whole, taking disowned, uninformed, unsettled aspects of the ego and creating them part of a cohesive self. Through assimilation, it becomes possible for the person to have the courage to face each moment openly and freely without the defense of a preformed views, position, attitude or expectation. Also the term “integrative psychotherapy refers to the integration of principles that bring together physiological ,behavioral, affective, cognitive and structural approaches to psychotherapy or treatment .The ideas are used within a viewpoint of human development in which each stage of life presents heightened developmental tasks ,disaster ,need sensitivities and chances for learning new things. Integrative psychotherapy with the use of multi-level approach it brings out mental, emotional and physical change more efficiently and quickly as compared to talk therapy (Sullivan, 2008). By bringing the brain chemistry into balance aids in relieving mental or emotional stress which are caused by environmental stressors like stressful conditions, poor nutrition and mental toxicity. Integrative psychotherapy is meant for people who have physical illness, difficulties with relating with others, those people who always feel depressed and anxious, individuals who have difficulties in making decisions. Integrative psychotherapy enables a patient to acquire the conscious awareness and inner power which is needed to create the changes they want. This kind of psychotherapy concentrates on supporting the strength of the human body, mind and spirit. The integrative psychotherapy takes into account many opinions of human functioning: The psychodynamic, family therapy, Gestalt therapy, client centered behaviorist, Reichian, object relations theories, psychoanalytic self-psychology and transactional analysis. Each offers a valid clarification of behavior and it is enhanced when selectively integrated with others. Advantages of Integrative Psychotherapy Approach Integrative physiotherapy allows therapists to develop approaches which are individual to each client (Sullivan, 2008). Since there are no people who are the same thus their therapeutic experience can never be the same. Integrative Therapy views the individual as a whole and not as segments of the same human being. This kind of therapy focuses on the cognitive, physiological and emotional experiences of each individual. Integrative psychotherapy ensures a therapeutic experience whereby each customer can clearly understand the reason behind their behaviors or nature and come to accept themselves the way they are so as move forward. Integrative psychotherapy relies on relationship based and experimental methods so as to enable effective integration of cognitive, transpersonal, physiological dimensions of the person (Sullivan, 2008). The individual and the psychotherapist are actively involved in developing the assessment and intervention processes as well as the evaluation of outcomes. The therapist gets a chance to work with the clients so that they can realize their potential such as responsibility and choice by stressing on the importance of the client’s capacities. Integrative psychotherapists consider the impact of the external environment upon the internal environment of the individual so as to discover the importance of social, political and cultural experiences. Integrative Psychotherapy not only intends to teach a client new behaviors or coping skill but also it affects the individual’s life script by changing his life and the client gets a chance to grow from each experience. By using integrative psychotherapy approach the therapist is in a position to establish a personal presence between him and the client thus an interpersonal relationship between the two is created (Sullivan, 2008). Once this interpersonal experience is established the client is able to contact his/her internal experience and obtain recognition for that experience. Integrative psychotherapy approach concentrates on the welfare of the client rather than on adherence to any school of psychotherapy thus making the patient feel significant. Integrative psychotherapy helps client to be able identify the sources of their current concerns, identify things that perpetuate their problems and it also helps them to become alert of their fears which limit them their psychological freedom. Therapists help the patients to set their goals and practice new healthy behaviors. Integrative psychotherapy allows therapists to be flexible in ensuring that the person experiences their own personal journey. It is flexible in terms of the treatment planning and approach (Sullivan, 2008). The psychotherapists can customize the treatment plan to reflect the patient. The therapists have the freedom to tailor the treatment approaches to suit their personal styles and strengths. For example therapists who love working with teenagers can choose to use strategic and structural models while those who like capitalizing a client’s competencies and strength can choose to use choose solution‐focused therapy. In this way, various treatment models can be used within the same organization to meet both the needs of the patient and counselor. By using integrative psychotherapy approach counselors increase their creativity in their treatment methods since they face various challenges from the models they decide to use (Sullivan, 2008). Disadvantages of Integrative Psychotherapy Despite the advantages of integrated psychotherapy approach it has its own limitations which are discussed below: Lack of structure: If the different modalities in integrated approach are inconsistent and incompatible there might be a sequence of disconnected interventions. Combining interventions from various models so as to develop a coherent and strong treatment plan needs a therapist to have the knowledge of the therapy to use in certain situations and a sound protocol for choosing the therapy (Geldard, 2003). For example, in situations like suicide and family violence more well-ordered protocols are required to govern the selection of therapy to be used. Additional training: Integrated psychotherapy needs greater knowledge of various treatment modalities thus extra training for the counselors is necessary (Geldard, 2003).. For example, if a drug abuse therapists and a family therapist were to work together they need to learn each other’s area of therapy. Mindset: The main mindset shift that is required in order to use integrated psychotherapy is between an individual model focusing on pathology and a systematic model that concentrates on the varying patterns of family relations. For example, in integrated approach both the family and drug abuse therapists have to venture into new territories. For drug abuse therapists might be reluctant to involve the whole family in the therapy sessions because they feel unprepared to be in a position to manage the sessions. For family counselors they might emphasize on therapy for individuals within the household. For both therapists to make the required changes they need supervisory and administrative support. Administration: For an agency to use integrative psychotherapy approach they need agency wide commitment so as to offer these diverse services (Geldard, 2003). The implementation of several therapy models in a single agency complicates the staff scheduling as well clients scheduling. It becomes more difficult to schedule staff training for several models. It also becomes hard to evaluate clients using the appropriate models as well as collecting and interpreting treatment outcome data is more complicated. Conclusion Counselors and psychotherapists practitioners must be able to balance the advantages of integrated psychotherapy with its disadvantages (Geldard, 2003). They must be able to weigh flexibility and potential for better treatment outcomes against the administrative challenges such as extra trainings which are required and the extra expenditures which are needed. At the end practitioners must choose which will have to decide the level of intervention and integrated models they choose to practice in treating their clients. I would recommend the use of integrative psychotherapy since it responds effectively to the client at the different levels of functioning as compared to other therapy methods which focus on a single approach which is prone to failure. It also facilitates the wholeness of the client’s being and maximizes their functioning in life with respect to an individual’s external constraints. Also looking at the values of this type of therapy its advantages outweigh its limitations and most of its limitations can be managed if integrative psychotherapy is well implemented. References Corey, G. (1996). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole Pub. Co. Hall, R. K., & Lauwerys, J. A. (1955). Guidance and counselling. Yonkers-on-Hudson, N.Y: World Book Co. Individual Differences Research Group. (2004). Counseling and clinical psychology journal. Kingsville, Tex: Individual Differences Research Group. Counseling and human development. (1977). Denver, Colo: Love Pub. Co. Parsons, R. D. (2009). Translating theory to practice: Thinking and acting like an expert counselor. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Pearson. Parsons, R. D. (2008). A guide to thinking and acting like an expert. Indianapolis, Ind: Prentice Hall. Pelling, N., Bowers, J. R., & Armstrong, P. R. (2007). The practice of counselling. South Melbourne, Vic: Thomson. Sullivan, B. F. (2008). Counsellors and counselling: A new conversation. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W: Pearson Education Australia. Geldard, K., & Geldard, D. (2003). Counselling skills in everyday life. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Geldard, D. (1993). Basic personal counselling: A training manual for counsellors. New York: Prentice Hall. Read More

Integrative psychotherapy with the use of multi-level approach it brings out mental, emotional and physical change more efficiently and quickly as compared to talk therapy (Sullivan, 2008). By bringing the brain chemistry into balance aids in relieving mental or emotional stress which are caused by environmental stressors like stressful conditions, poor nutrition and mental toxicity. Integrative psychotherapy is meant for people who have physical illness, difficulties with relating with others, those people who always feel depressed and anxious, individuals who have difficulties in making decisions.

Integrative psychotherapy enables a patient to acquire the conscious awareness and inner power which is needed to create the changes they want. This kind of psychotherapy concentrates on supporting the strength of the human body, mind and spirit. The integrative psychotherapy takes into account many opinions of human functioning: The psychodynamic, family therapy, Gestalt therapy, client centered behaviorist, Reichian, object relations theories, psychoanalytic self-psychology and transactional analysis.

Each offers a valid clarification of behavior and it is enhanced when selectively integrated with others. Advantages of Integrative Psychotherapy Approach Integrative physiotherapy allows therapists to develop approaches which are individual to each client (Sullivan, 2008). Since there are no people who are the same thus their therapeutic experience can never be the same. Integrative Therapy views the individual as a whole and not as segments of the same human being. This kind of therapy focuses on the cognitive, physiological and emotional experiences of each individual.

Integrative psychotherapy ensures a therapeutic experience whereby each customer can clearly understand the reason behind their behaviors or nature and come to accept themselves the way they are so as move forward. Integrative psychotherapy relies on relationship based and experimental methods so as to enable effective integration of cognitive, transpersonal, physiological dimensions of the person (Sullivan, 2008). The individual and the psychotherapist are actively involved in developing the assessment and intervention processes as well as the evaluation of outcomes.

The therapist gets a chance to work with the clients so that they can realize their potential such as responsibility and choice by stressing on the importance of the client’s capacities. Integrative psychotherapists consider the impact of the external environment upon the internal environment of the individual so as to discover the importance of social, political and cultural experiences. Integrative Psychotherapy not only intends to teach a client new behaviors or coping skill but also it affects the individual’s life script by changing his life and the client gets a chance to grow from each experience.

By using integrative psychotherapy approach the therapist is in a position to establish a personal presence between him and the client thus an interpersonal relationship between the two is created (Sullivan, 2008). Once this interpersonal experience is established the client is able to contact his/her internal experience and obtain recognition for that experience. Integrative psychotherapy approach concentrates on the welfare of the client rather than on adherence to any school of psychotherapy thus making the patient feel significant.

Integrative psychotherapy helps client to be able identify the sources of their current concerns, identify things that perpetuate their problems and it also helps them to become alert of their fears which limit them their psychological freedom. Therapists help the patients to set their goals and practice new healthy behaviors. Integrative psychotherapy allows therapists to be flexible in ensuring that the person experiences their own personal journey. It is flexible in terms of the treatment planning and approach (Sullivan, 2008).

The psychotherapists can customize the treatment plan to reflect the patient.

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