Integration

Humanistic & Integrative Approach

My approach integrates several theoretical fields and I tailor my practice to each individual. Working in this way allows me to consider multiple ways of working with a client in an organic process. I have outlined below the theoretical frameworks that I typically work from - this is to give some insight into the different modalities that therapists often work within and to show my particular integrative approach. Whilst theory can be useful for reflection and understanding, the most important aspect of my work as a therapist is located in the therapeutic relationship and carefully tending to all that occurs within it. I aim to ensure that the client feels held and safe as the process of therapy develops; this is the central aspect of my approach.

Some of these ideas may resonate with you more than others - if you wish to clarify any of these ideas or have any questions I’d be happy to discuss them together.

Developmental:

Developmental theory explores how an individual develops from birth to death, particularly how they experience growth, change and consistency through the lifespan. This is in relation to ourselves, our family, peers, society and culture as a whole.

As our early experience is so rich in content, Developmental theory often focuses on how early relationships with caregivers affect how we experience and behave in relationships in the present. I have a particular interest in the birth, infant & early years experience and how this shapes later life.

Relational:

Relational theory suggests that the sense of connection that healthy relationships provide is an essential aspect of human well-being - when this connection is absent, mental and emotional concerns can occur. The primary goal of this therapy is to address these concerns and help those seeking treatment to become better able to develop supportive, lasting relationships. Mutual empathy and authenticity, as expressed through the therapeutic relationship, can help facilitate this goal - mutual, authentic and open dialogue is key to this practice.

This approach stands in contrast to more Psychoanalytic methods where the therapist takes a more distanced, neutral and ‘blank screen’ position in the therapy. Relational practice involves a more collaborative process where the therapist is tangibly more active and the therapeutic relationship, and what is occurring there, is frequently and openly explored.

Intersubjective Systems Theory:

An aspect of the Relational approach, this perspective sees the meeting of both therapist and client as an intersubjective experience. Interactions between the client/therapist (or child/parent) cannot be seen as separate from each other, but rather must be considered always as mutually influencing each other. This means that all interactions must be considered contextually - as in the context of that intersubjective and co-created field, rather than located as solely within the client. This collaborative two-person approach views therapy as more of a partnership and recognises the therapist’s own contribution to the content the client raises during their sessions, as well as to the ways this content is discussed and understood.

Psychodynamic:

Derived from the ideas of Freud, Psychodynamic therapy helps you understand how your current feelings and behaviour are shaped by your past experiences, your unconscious mind, defences and impulses. It looks to the root of the problem in order to create long-lasting change. A Psychodynamic therapist looks to explore and interpret the unconscious, helping you to look for patterns and understand them.

A key concept in the psychodynamic approach is transference. This is where you redirect feelings you experienced in previous significant relationships, or during childhood, onto your therapist. Transference can help you both learn more about your feelings, behaviours and actions, and then resolve the feelings that originate from these relationships. It can help you understand why you expect to be treated in a certain way and how that impacts your current relationships.

Much like other therapeutic approaches, working in this way can be slow and subtle. But when that change happens, clients can find that several aspects of their life improve in a tangible and long-lasting way.

Existential:

The existential approach considers human nature to be open-ended, flexible and capable of an enormous range of experience. The person is in a constant process of becoming; I create myself as I exist. Existential therapy places emphasis on the core conditions (or givens) of life and the challenges that these conditions pose to human beings. Psychological suffering arises from our encounter with these challenges. Existential therapy is a unique form of psychotherapy that looks to explore the human condition and its difficulties from a philosophical perspective.

Emotional and psychological difficulties are viewed as an inner conflict caused by an individual's confrontation with the givens of existence. Rather than delve into the past, the existential approach looks at the here and now, exploring the human condition as a whole and what it means for an individual.

Gestalt:

Gestalt therapy is present'-focused, helping clients to understand what is actually happening in their lives at this moment, and how it makes them feel in the moment, rather than what they may assume to be happening based on past experience. Instead of simply talking, clients in gestalt therapy are often encouraged to engage in intellectual and physical experiences that can include role-playing, re-enactment, or artistic exercises like drawing and painting. In this way, clients can learn to become more aware of their thoughts and actions, of how negative thought patterns and behaviours may be blocking their self-awareness and making them unhappy, and how they can change.

Phenomenological:

Phenomenology is interested in the embodied, experiential meanings of the world as it is directly experienced. This approach asks, “What is this kind of experience like?” “How does the lived world present itself?” “What is your sense of being-in-the-world?”

The phenomenological attitude involves a special attentiveness and presence; listening closely, attuned to detail and nuance I endeavour to leave my world and enter into the client’s world in order to reflect on their meanings and experience. It does not diagnose, pathologise or offer ‘treatment’, rather it stays curious to the experience of the other and continues to engage in an open dialogue.

Through this relational dialogic process, we pay attention to the phenomena of affect, thoughts, fantasy, memories, hopes, core beliefs and values, bodily experience (movement, posture, tensions), with the aim of raising the client’s awareness of their experience, meanings, needs (current and historical) and issues – all aspects which may have been pushed down or defensively disowned. Through respectful questioning and listening, the client can develop self-curiosity, exploration and discovery, gain new insights and find their own way through their specific life situations, ultimately leading towards self acceptance and growth.

Body Psychotherapy:

Body Psychotherapy is based on the concept that people experience the world not only through their thoughts and emotions but also simultaneously through their bodies; all emotional life is embodied. In the Western world, we have been conditioned to split mind from body and Body Psychotherapy offers a radical challenge to this perspective by arguing for the integration of mind, body, self, and world. It incorporates touch, breathing, and movement techniques to address a wide range of emotional, mental and physical health concerns that may lead people to seek therapy. Both therapist and client will tune into and express their somatic experience in the therapy.

Narrative Therapy:

Narrative therapy listens to the ways in which people tell their story or, in other words, construct narratives about themselves and the lives they live. When we tell others stories of our stories, we construct a narrative sometimes without being fully aware that we are making decisions about what we should include or leave out, which aspects we emphasise, the effect that we want the story to have on the listener. Like certain habits of thinking, narrative constructions become habitual and automatic and can affect the way we see ourselves or feel about life.

Working from this perspective in therapy also allows the therapist and the client to think about external narratives - the narratives of family and peer groups, social and cultural narratives - and the ways in which these can impact on the client's personal narrative. Together, therapist and client can explore these narratives and co-create new ones that reflect who they really are, what they are capable of, and what their purpose is, separate from their problems.

Trauma Informed Approach:

For more information on working with trauma, please visit my Trauma Work & TRE page.