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Integrative Therapy 2024: Definition, Types & Benefits

Karla Tafra

Updated on - Written by
Medically reviewed by Melissa Mitri, MS, RD

Integrative Therapy

What Is Integrative Therapy?

Integrative therapy is by definition a specific approach to psychotherapy that blends different types of therapy techniques. The goal of integrative therapy is to solve a particular problem or manage a mental health condition.

It’s important to keep in mind that every therapy solution is for everyone, and while one technique might work for one person, it might be totally detrimental to another.

By combining a variety of different approaches with integrative therapy, not only do you get to pick and choose aspects of each one that might complement each other, but you’re also able to see how one technique affects the other and potentially amplifies its effects. 

Many of these tools nowadays are used in an online therapy setting, especially in the post-Covid era as therapists are finding new ways to reach their clients.

Some of them fully transitioned online, others managed to do both in-person and online sessions, and some completely transformed their therapy practice and delved deeper into other forms of psychotherapy. 

Integrative therapy is sometimes also called eclectic therapy, although experts don’t really agree these terms should be used interchangeably.

In their words[1], eclectic therapy combines convenient techniques from various approaches drawn from different traditions, and integrative therapy takes a variety of different elements and puts them under one cohesive system. 

Types of Integrative Therapy

Since integrative therapy draws from hundreds of different therapy systems accepted in the psychotherapy world, there can be numerous combinations and approaches. Still, there are four types of integrative therapy that are the most common and can often be seen used by an integrative therapist. 

Psychodynamic therapy 

The main focus[2] of psychodynamic therapy is a focus on the psychological roots of someone’s emotional behavior. In other words, it is an emphasis on the unconscious processes that manifest themselves in their present behavior. 

The goal of this type of integrative therapy is to reach higher levels of self-awareness and understand how your past experiences influence your present behavior. It also teaches you how to deal with unresolved conflicts from dysfunctional relationships that trigger harmful behavior in the present moment. 

The four therapy[3] approaches that create this psychotherapy integration include:

  • Drive psychology (classical psychoanalytic theory)
  • Object relations psychology
  • Self-psychology
  • Ego psychology

This method has a famous postulate that states, “No tools, no work.” This means that people won’t experience any changes if they do not develop or discover their basic “life tools.” These are the tools that help them reach new levels of self-awareness, process their emotions, and figure out the unconscious drivers behind their current behavior. 

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

This type of integrative therapy helps reshape[4] the way people think, reframing their negative thoughts and helping them create a different narrative to solve their psychological issues.

Developed in the 1960s, this approach has shown to be successful in the treatment of a myriad of mental health conditions. From anxiety and depression to eating disorders and drug abuse, cognitive behavioral therapy has been one of the main psychotherapy approaches for over 50 years. 

All of its aspects have grown, changed, and developed over the years, but its core principles remain the same. It focuses on changing the way people think, unlearning patterns of harmful and unhelpful behavior, and learning better ways to cope with mental health problems. 

CBT usually includes a variety of different techniques and tools to help reshape someone’s train of thought. Some of these involve role play, facing your fears, boosting morale and confidence, meditation, and mindfulness. 

Humanistic therapy

This type of integrative psychotherapy puts the focus on discovering[5] your true self and reaching your full potential. In order to do this, you have to do things that fulfill you and make you truly happy. 

The overarching goal is to reach a level of self-understanding. This is why the therapeutic process includes open-ended responses and tentative listening to get you to reach deep into your own thoughts and discover what makes you truly happy. 

Integrative therapists who take this approach believe that everyone deep down knows what’s best for them. By encouraging someone to reach their full potential, they will gain more confidence in their beliefs and actions and gain a better understanding of what makes them happy and what doesn’t. 

Mindfulness

One of the most recent[6]aspects of integrative psychotherapy is the mindfulness approach. It involves strategies to help you focus on the present moment. It helps you to leave the past in the past in order to relieve your anxiety and worry for the future. 

Usually coupled with meditation, this approach helps you deal with those anxious and worrisome thoughts by focusing on literally one second at a time.

Since it’s one of the most popular and well-accepted approaches even outside the field of psychotherapy, many integrative therapists like to try it out with some of their most closed-up clients, gaining their trust and getting them to open up. 

How Does It Work?

Integrative therapy draws on a variety of different psychotherapeutic approaches, from behavioral and cognitive to psychodynamic and humanistic. All of these can be applied in an individual, group, or even family setting.

Each person and their interpersonal dynamics will be important factors in deciding what approach to start with and what other strategy an integrative therapist can draw from to complement it. 

Research shows how choosing the right approach depends on a variety of factors, some of which include age, past experiences, the severity of mental health conditions, trust in the integrative therapist and their relationship, as well as expectations[7] clients have about the success of their treatment. 

Once you find a qualified mental health therapist, you usually start with a consultation and find out their specific approach to integrative therapy and their exact process. It’s also important to inquire about pricing and whether or not their practice takes insurance

Many practices aren’t actually covered by insurance, so it’s important you get all the necessary information before scheduling your first session. You don’t want to be hit with a four-digit bill at the end of the month. 

Who Benefits from Integrative Therapy?

According to research[7], those who benefit from integrative therapy are either people who tried a variety of different approaches that in itself didn’t work or are dealing with multi-dimensional mental health conditions that require different approaches to tackle different triggers and responses. 

Integrative mental health professionals who practice an integrative approach find it to be beneficial for those not as open to traditional psychotherapy. 

And although there are still specific psychological conditions that require specific therapeutic techniques, the latest evidence-based research shows how 85%[8] of mental health professionals draw from an average of four therapeutic traditions, different schools, and their elements.  

Benefits of Integrative Therapy

Integrative therapy helps you combine all aspects of your health into one with a variety of different therapeutic strategies. Employing multiple techniques allow you to find the best healing techniques that will serve your needs.

Whether it’s CBT, humanistic therapy, or elements of gestalt therapy, there’s more chance you’ll find some relief and better coping mechanisms if you try different strategies than if you focus on just one. 

Every person is different, and just like you might hate running and eating apples but your partner enjoys both, the same goes for therapy. Mental health is complex, and by including all aspects of therapy, you might be able to overcome your problems and find the solution you so desperately need. 

The main benefits of integrative psychotherapy include:

Personalization

Every client is treated as an individual patient with many different factors influencing their condition as well as their treatment. Integrative psychotherapists really focus on the individual and design their integrative approach to best fit their client’s unique needs.

Flexibility

Integrative psychotherapy has to be flexible in the sense of changing, adapting, and testing out a variety of strategies.

First, it’s completely unknown whether someone will respond positively to the chosen therapeutic integration.

Second, there are many events and experiences that might occur during treatment that influence your condition.

Third, mental conditions are very complex and while you might think you’re gaining progress with cognitive analytic therapy, you might only be tackling one-tenth of the actual condition. 

Variety Of Options

Since integrative psychotherapy combines many approaches and elements, it provides different options and combinations you can try to find what works for you. This gives you hope and an overall optimistic viewpoint on therapy and its success. 

Holistic

Many people who suffer from an illness or a condition look at the disease as an outside element. Integrative psychotherapy offers a more holistic approach[9] and makes you see yourself through different prisms: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, behavioral, and even through relationships.

Summary

Integrative therapy may come to you as professional medical advice, or your best friend might refer you. Whatever the case may be, it’s an approach that involves a theoretical integration of many different integrative therapies. They all marry together to create a more successful environment to help you heal and find relief.

Therapists who practice integrative therapy are usually more open, flexible, and willing to try out a variety of different approaches until they find the one that helps you and your specific health condition. 


+ 9 sources

Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here

  1. Kratochvíl S (2012). [Eclectic, synthetic and integrative psychotherapy]. Ceskoslovenska psychiatrie, [online] 90(6). Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7859320/
  2. Center (2022). Chapter 7—Brief Psychodynamic Therapy. [online] Nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64952/
  3. Ogrodniczuk, J.S. and Piper, W.E. (1999). Measuring therapist technique in psychodynamic psychotherapies. Development and use of a new scale. The Journal of psychotherapy practice and research, [online] 8(2), pp.142–54. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3330537/
  4. Chand (2022). Cognitive Behavior Therapy. [online] Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29261869/
  5. Block, M. (2011). Humanistic Therapy. Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development, [online] pp.765–766. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_1403.
  6. Keng, S.-L., Smoski, M.J. and Robins, C.J. (2011). Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: A review of empirical studies. Clinical Psychology Review, [online] 31(6), pp.1041–1056. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2011.04.006.
  7. Zarbo, C., Tasca, G.A., Cattafi, F. and Compare, A. (2016). Integrative Psychotherapy Works. Frontiers in Psychology, [online] 6. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.02021.
  8. Apa.org. (2022). APA PsycNet. [online] Available at: https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fa0038252
  9. Seow, L.S.E., Sambasivam, R., Chang, S., Subramaniam, M., Lu, H.S., Assudani, H.A., Tan, C.-Y.G. and Vaingankar, J.A. (2021). A Qualitative Approach to Understanding the Holistic Experience of Psychotherapy Among Clients. Frontiers in Psychology, [online] 12. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.667303.
Karla Tafra

Medically reviewed by:

Melissa Mitri

Karla is a published author, speaker, certified nutritionist, and yoga teacher, and she's passionate when writing about nutrition, health, fitness, and overall wellness topics. Her work has been featured on popular sites like Healthline, Psychology.com, Well and Good, Women's Health, Mindbodygreen, Medium, Yoga Journal, Lifesavvy, and Bodybuilding.com. In addition to writing about these topics, she also teaches yoga classes, offers nutrition coaching, organizes wellness seminars and workshops, creates content for various brands & provides copywriting services to companies.

Medically reviewed by:

Melissa Mitri

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