An integrative approach to counseling
An integrative approach to counseling
Lindsey Rasmussen
Counseling Theories & Practice
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An integrative approach to counseling
An integrative approach to counseling, or psychotherapy integration, is an attempt to combine concepts and techniques from more than one theoretical orientation in order to enhance the efficacy, efficiency, and applicability of therapy or treatment. In general, there are four ways to integrate counseling approaches: (1) technical eclecticism, (2) theoretical integration, (3) common factors approach, and (4) assimilative integration. In technical eclecticism , a clinician uses techniques from different schools but does not have to subscribe to the theoretical positions they came from. In other words, there doesn’t have to be any connection between techniques and the conceptual foundation from which they came. On the other hand, theoretical integration attempts to construct a conceptual framework that synthesizes the best aspects of two or more theoretical approaches under the assumption that the result will be better than either theory on its own. Put differently, this approach emphasizes the integration of theories and their techniques. Common factors approach means just what it says; it searches for common elements among different theoretical orientations because these commonalities (such as therapeutic alliance, catharsis, practicing new behaviors, and positive client expectations) are assumed to be just as integral in determining therapeutic outcomes as the features which differentiate one theory from anoth er. It’s important to note that this perspective has the strongest empirical support of all the integration approaches. Lastly, assimilative integration means to ground oneself in a single theoretical system while selectively “borrowing” or incorporating a variety of interventions from other systems (Corey, 2009, p.449-450).
The move towards taking an integrative approach to counseling comes from the recognition that no single theory on its own can effectively explain the complexities of

An integrative approach to counseling human cognition, affect, and behavior. Therefore, effective counseling must include a
3 combination of cognitive, affective, and behavioral techniques. Put differently, because no single theory has all the answers, and similarly, because no single set of counseling techniques is always effective (which is particularly evident when the complexities of clients and their specific problems are considered), an integrative approach appears rather necessary and advantageous. According to Norcross and Beutler (2008, p.485)
“psychotherapy should be flexibly tailored to the unique needs and contexts of the individual client, not universally applied as one-size-fitsall”. In other words, different clients respond better to different therapeutic approaches and interventions; therefore, practitioners need to select therapeutic styles and techniques that fit both the client and themselves, a process of integration that will take a lifetime to refine.
As this stage in my education and development as a counselor, I have an affinity for aspects of every therapy we have discussed this semester – psychoanalytic,
Adlerian, existential, person-centered, Gestalt, behavior, cognitive behavior, and reality.
However , I also understand it’s not realistic to think I’ll be able to effectively integrate aspects of each one into my future clinical approach. This being said, I have attempted to narrow my scope to three counseling theories, for the purposes of this paper, and therefore have decided upon the following therapies: (1) Adlerian, (2) existential, and (3) person-centered.
In general, I consider myself to be a kind, caring, and empathic counselor-intraining. In my opinion, my approach is rather “soft” and non-directive and characterized by the following:(1) focusing on the client more so than “the problem”; (2) paying attention to the cl ient’s subjective experiences rather than on using techniques; and (3)

An integrative approach to counseling providing a perspective that will help the client see his/her world differently.
Furthermore, my focus is on helping my clients feel safe, comfortable, and appreciated
– for their uniqueness, their presence, and their willingness to be open and honest. My counseling style also requires that I be myself
– an authentic and genuine person and practitioner capable of establishing meaningful and trustworthy relationships with my clients, relationships that will be an impetus for positive change. In other words, I believe who I am as a therapist and person is much more important than the theories I subscribe to or the techniques I use.
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As I stated earlier, the three counseling theories I would like to integrate into my counseling approach are Adlerian, existential, and person-centered therapies.
In general,
I am drawn to a number of Adler’s concepts, including the following: (1) people are the creators and creations of their lives; (2) genetics and environment limit a person’s ability to choose and create, but are not as important as what a person chooses to do with their abilities and limitations; (3) what a person perceives and tells themselves about their past experiences shapes the person they are today; and (4) human behavior is socially motivated and goal-driven. I also believe Adlerian therapy has the potential to be quite effective, especially in terms of AODA counseling, because of the emphasis it places on the following: (1) personal choice and responsibility; (2) interpretation of past experiences; (3) conscious motivations of behavior; and (4) understanding people within the systems in which they live. Furthermore, the Adlerian emphasis on re-education fits in well with AODA counseling because when you get down to it, part of an AODA counselor’s job is to help their clients learn how to live again, only without the use of alcohol or drugs.

An integrative approach to counseling
The second approach I am drawn to is existential therapy, in part because of its
5 basic assumption that we are free to choose: (1) how to live our lives, (2) who we are, and (3) who we will become. Paradoxically, with this freedom comes a responsibility that we must accept if we are to live authentically. This is just one of the many paradoxes inherent in existential therapy and in my opinion, it’s the paradoxes that make this particular therapeutic orientation so intriguing. Moreover, I believe existential therapy can be a particularly effective approach to take with AODA clients because of its underlying theme of responsibility – learning to take responsibility for one’s choices and ultimately one’s life. Furthermore, I believe it can give clients a more optimistic view of the future, an ability to understand that they don’t have to be the person they used to be, that they are capable of positive change and growth.
The third approach I am drawn to is person-centered therapy. First, it has a positive view of human nature, postulating that people have an innate desire to selfactualize. Second, it stresses that people possess the inner resources needed for positive growth and change. In other words, the therapist does not bring about change for the client, instead, the client’s ability to change rests solely with themselves, which is incredibly empowering. Third, it emphasizes the therapist’s personal characteristics and attitudes, specifically congruence or genuineness, unconditional positive regard and acceptance, and accurate empathic understanding. This is what determines the quality of the therapeutic relationship, provides the conditions required for therapeutic change to occur, and ultimately influences the outcome of therapy.
In addition to the aforementioned therapies – Adlerian, existential, and personcentered, I also foresee myself integrating aspects of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)

An integrative approach to counseling because of its empirical validity, effectiveness within our managed care system, and its
6 wide applicability. I have to admit, however, that I’m not particularly fond of CBT because in my opinion, it can come off as rather “cold”. But, I also have faith that given time and experience, I will be able to comfortably incorporate aspects of CBT in a way that better suits me, my personality, and my style of counseling.
Overall, there are many advantages of taking an integrative approach to counseling, one being that an integrative approach allows counselors the flexibility required to meet the needs of a diverse client population. Unfortunately, higher education has yet to catch up; currently, there are very few graduate programs that offer an integrative approach to counseling, although it is predicted that they will adopt such an approach within the next couple of decades to better equip their graduates with the necessary range of therapeutic skills and theoretical knowledge. Moreover, as we continue to head in the direction of evidence-based practice, practitioners will need to develop an integrated approach to counseling in order to comply with ethical guidelines requiring an appropriate standard of care for the increasingly diverse client population
(Integrative psychotherapy, n.d.). However, therapists cannot randomly pick bits and pieces of various theoretical orientations when developing an integrated approach to counseling. Creating such an approach requires critical thinking and a systematic process. Essentially, “developing an integrative perspective is a lifelong endeavor that is refined with clinical experience, reflection, reading, and discourse with colleagues”
(Corey, 2009, p.450). Overall, it’s a challenging process, but obviously worth the time and effort; an integrative approach to counseling is the means by which I will be able to effectively help and promote positive change and growth for a diverse client population.

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An integrative approach to counseling
References
Corey, G. (2009). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (8 th ed.).
Belmont, CA: Brooks & Cole Cengage Learning.
Integrative psychotherapy: Constructing your own integrative approach to therapy (n.d.)
Retrieved from http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/40504_19.pdf.
Norcross, J. & Beutler, L. (2008) Integrative psychotherapies. In R.J. Corsini &
D. Wedding (Eds.), Current psychotherapies (8 th ed., p.481-511). Belmont, CA:
Brooks & Cole Cengage Learning.

An integrative approach to counseling
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