Integration refers to the process of bringing together different dimensions or characteristics into a unified experience. When a therapist offers integrative therapy, it means they are combining various approaches and techniques to create a more holistic outcome. But what exactly are these dimensions, and what results do they aim to achieve?
In my practice, integrative therapy occurs across multiple dimensions. Many therapists may describe their approach as integrative when they combine methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with mindfulness techniques. For example, CBT focuses on thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, while mindfulness helps calm the mind. When these are combined, the client gains more control over their behaviors and emotions.
Another example is integrating Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with art therapy. Combining these therapeutic modalities can produce deeper, more expansive results than using a single approach.
Here are two great examples of a well-rounded approach to therapy. At Joya Sagrada Integrative Therapy, I help manage symptoms and improve daily life using techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). To create safer and healthier relationships, I use body-based techniques that calm the fight-or-flight response and support healing experiences. When working through deeper, unconscious emotions, I use creative arts and explore symbols and metaphors that may come up. My approach is always based on warmth, empathy, and the belief that everyone deserves understanding and acceptance.
However, integrative therapy goes beyond just using multiple techniques. In my practice, integration also involves a thorough exploration of the client’s life experiences. This includes examining their relationship with the dominant culture, environmental factors, and the level of support they received during times of adversity, particularly in childhood.
We also consider generational influences by looking at the environmental factors that shaped not only the client but also their ancestors. Epigenetics, the study of how life experiences can leave imprints on one’s genetic code and be passed down to future generations, is another crucial aspect of this work.
Finally, integration in my practice includes aligning the mind, body, and spirit. This involves understanding how the nervous system processes and interprets information, recognizing when the body is out of balance (homeostasis), and addressing the emotional wounds that manifest physically. By focusing on these elements, we aim to restore both emotional and physical balance. Furthermore, we acknowledge the interconnectedness of the human experience and the cyclical nature of life, recognizing that these experiences unfold in harmony with larger, external forces. While this is a philosophical foundation, it is also a key aspect of how integration occurs within our psychotherapeutic approach.
In short, integrative therapy brings together multiple therapeutic methodologies, life experiences, generational impacts, and mind-body-spirit connections to offer a more comprehensive path to healing.
