ABOUT THERAPY

What Is Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy?

Integrative Psychotherapy recognizes that no one psychological approach can encompass the complexity of the human condition and resultant ways of being in the world. Combining elements of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Existential and Humanistic schools of thought, one cohesive and highly effective mode of working is created.

Integrative therapy attends to all levels of functioning and addresses the various dimensions of life such as childhood development, including childhood trauma, family dynamics, interpersonal relationships and external influences such as social, political and cultural aspects that impact internal development. It is an ever evolving, dynamic, collaborative process involving the meeting of two people sharing in a mutual purpose, be it symptom reduction, resolution of internal conflict, achieving insight or promoting autonomy.

How Does Therapy Work?

The provision of a safe, neutral and confidential space creates the opportunity to explore often difficult thoughts and feelings with empathic support. We believe that each individual is an active self healing agent with their own solutions to their problems and the will to change in their own unique time frame.

Work is aimed at examining the known and unknown, unresolved aspect of self, making these part of a whole cohesive personality. Rather than advice giving, therapy involves constructive, objective feedback and interpretations aimed at facilitating deepening self understanding and insight and in the practicing of healthier behaviours and ways of managing the world. Increased self awareness and taking responsibility for the issues at hand often enhances decision making and self esteem, leading towards a life lived with greater vitality and spontaneity.

How Long Will Therapy Take?

Work can be short term (up to 3 months), focussing on a specific concern utilising CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) as one possible technique. When issues require a greater depth of exploration, such as unhelpful thoughts, patterns that repeat themselves or negative behaviours, longer term psychotherapy which can be open ended, can be more advantageous.