What can an integrative therapist help with?
An integrative therapist can help with a wide range of mental health concerns by offering a flexible approach to therapy, tailored to an individual’s specific
needs and personality and if appropriate, based on more than one therapeutic modality. The approach is sometimes called holistic therapy because therapists consider a client’s mental, physical, and emotional health, and work closely in partnership with the individual to discover the sources of, and the solutions to, symptoms of anxiety, depression, discomfort, unhealthy behaviour, or other mental-health concerns.
Who is a certified or qualified integrative therapist?
No special certification is required to practice
integrative therapy, and most licensed therapists already use an integrative strategy, even if their primary approach is based on one particular technique. How a professional integrates various approaches into their practice will vary depending on their training, skills, comfort level, and experience. Potential clients can ask a therapist which strategies they have specific training in, and which they use most often in sessions. They should also determine if the professional is someone they feel they can trust, and with whom they can be comfortable discussing difficult experiences and emotions.
What conditions can integrative therapy treat?
Integrative therapy approaches can be part of a treatment plan for a range of conditions and clients. It can become part of therapy for adults, adolescents, children, couples, families, or groups, and can be used to treat anxiety, depression, personality disorders, grief, low self-esteem, self-harm, trauma, PTSD, relationship challenges, sexual concerns, and substance use or eating disorders.How can I recognize a good integrative therapist?
A good integrative therapist is trained in multiple modalities and will work to understand a client’s particular needs or concerns by exploring their personality, values, and levels of openness and motivation. Taking these into account, along with the client’s health and age, the therapist will craft a treatment approach that appears to offer the greatest chance of success. In sessions, a good integrative therapist collaborates with clients, giving them a voice in the direction of their treatment as they form a strong therapeutic alliance.