What is an Integrative Model to Therapy?
When you are looking for a therapist, you might come across the phrase integrative therapy or integrative therapist. But what does this actually mean? And how could it support your healing journey?
People are complex. We hold different experiences, identities, traumas, hopes, needs, and no single approach fits everyone. An integrative therapist draws from multiple modalities to tailor treatment to each individual rather than forcing everyone into one framework.
Using an integrative model allows therapists to meet you where you are. It can help address different layers of your experience, whether emotional, cognitive, physical, or relational. It is especially useful when working with trauma, religious or spiritual wounds, or identity development, because these concerns often require flexibility and nuance.
How Does an Integrative Approach Work?
In integrative therapy, the therapist combines techniques and perspectives from different approaches based on your goals and needs. Sessions might weave together tools to help you process painful memories, connect with your body, explore parts of yourself, or build self-compassion, all in a way that feels safe and empowering. Therapists who work integratively also prioritize collaboration. You are an active participant in deciding what feels helpful and what pace is right for you.
Approaches & Modalities I Integrate
Here are some of the therapeutic approaches I use and weave into therapy sessions:
Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Parts Work- IFS and parts work focus on understanding and healing the different "parts" or subpersonalities within us. You might have parts that hold pain, protect you from vulnerability, or push you to achieve. By building compassionate relationships with these parts, you can move toward greater inner harmony and self-leadership.
Trauma-Informed Care- A trauma-informed lens recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and emphasizes safety, trust, and empowerment in the therapeutic relationship. It avoids re-traumatization and centers your autonomy and consent throughout the process.
Somatic Approaches- Somatic (body-based) techniques help you reconnect with physical sensations and signals. Many people who have experienced trauma feel disconnected from their bodies; somatic work supports gentle reconnection, emotional regulation, and grounding.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)- EMDR helps people process and reduce the distress connected to traumatic or overwhelming memories. Through bilateral stimulation (like guided eye movements), EMDR allows your brain to reprocess stuck experiences so they no longer feel as emotionally charged.
Person-Centered Therapy- This approach emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. It creates a nonjudgmental, supportive space where you feel deeply heard and understood, fostering self-exploration and growth.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)- TF-CBT is an evidence-based approach designed to help people, especially those with trauma histories, understand and reframe unhelpful thoughts, develop healthier coping skills, and reduce trauma-related distress. It combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with trauma-sensitive interventions to support emotional processing and empowerment.
Mindfulness-Based Strategies- Mindfulness invites you to notice your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations in the present moment with curiosity rather than judgment. These practices can help reduce anxiety, increase self-awareness, and build emotional resilience.
Choosing a therapist who uses an integrative approach means choosing a therapy experience that honors your individuality and adapts to your evolving needs. Instead of rigidly following one path, integrative therapy meets you in your complexity, and helps you move toward greater wholeness.
Reach out to start therapy or to learn more.
Disclaimer:
⚠️ The content on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes ONLY and should NOT be considered a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading these posts does not establish a therapeutic relationship.
If you are currently in crisis, experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or others, or are in need of immediate support, please call 911 or contact a crisis line such as the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (U.S.) or access your local emergency services.
These blog posts are written to explore topics like trauma, religious deconstruction, cults, identity development, and mental wellness in a thoughtful and compassionate way. They may (or may not) resonate deeply, especially for those healing from complex trauma, but they are NOT meant to replace individualized therapy or medical care.
