Integrative Counselling:
What is integrative counselling?
Integrative Counselling is where more than one therapy is combined. I will name the therapies I combine and explain them briefly.
… in summary offers 3 main theoretical psychological therapies; Psycho-dynamic, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Humanistic (person Centred), (see below more); which allows a very flexible approach, which also allows for working within any one of these approaches depending upon what you are looking for in terms of psychological support.
Psychodynamic therapy:
Psychodynamic therapy has its root in Sigmund Freud. In summary it focusses on past experiences, sometimes going as far back as childhood. Sometimes as children we develop coping strategies that do not serve us well in adulthood, such as aggression, sulking etc. Exploring our childhood, and past negative experiences, can help us to understand why we are who we are, and why we do what we do.
.. in summary focuses on looking at your past, maybe as far back as childhood, or maybe not so far back, but certainly looking back and exploring what might be affecting the here and now and some of the cause of the current problems.
Past experiences over time can become distorted, misunderstood, and /or your recall maybe restricted or repressed. Either way distorted, repressed and misunderstandings can be explored in a safe therapeutic environment, to uncover what the underlying issues maybe.
Cogntive Behavioural Therapy (CBT):
This therapy helps us to look at how our thoughts and feelings are very connected to our behaviour. Thoughts, feelings and behaviour are all very closely linked and impact on each other. CBT can help identify negative patterns, and if you are seeking therapy you have already probably started to identify some negative patterns for yourself and by yourself. However, with the help and gentle challenges of a therapist you can start to build strategies to manage negative patterns in a way that is efficient and thus effective to a better wellbeing.
...in summary works with your presenting symptoms that you may have already realised at the point of seeking a therapist, that there are negative patterns that keep repeating.
So most people have already started to identify negative patterns when looking for professional therapy, however, with a trained professional experienced therapist (representing partly as your outside world in the therapy room), will help you to build a bigger picture of your world objectively as well as subjectively.
You can then start to visualise the bigger picture or your world; making it somewhat more tangible, and be better placed to identify the changes you would like to make; which become your short term goals within your overall long-term goal.
This therapy has the option of working in the session and then, if you want, having work to apply to outside of the session (homework). However, written work outside the session may not be something everybody would want to engage in, for one reason or another, and so if that is the case; we work with the way that is best for you where I tailor the work to your individual needs as a person and the natural strengths you hold.
Person Centered Therapy (Humanistic):
Person-Centered Therapy focusses on you the whole person. When we focus on the person for the good of the person, the person feels heard, understood, and not judged. This is probably how our childhood should have felt, but many will tell you it was not the way it was at all! Therefore, an opportunity to experience this, even as an adult, will be so beneficial to your pathway of a healthier wellbeing, and mostly you will get to you you, or who it is you really want to be and work towards that person.
Maggie Bell Counselling & Hypnotherapy (Bromley & Lewisham)
Where you can find me:
127 Portland Road
Bromley
Kent
BR1 5AY
Hope to hear from you.
Maggie
Call 07950 906421 or 07704 455944