Glossary
What is integrative counselling?
Also called: integrative therapy, integrative counsellor, integrative approach
Definition
Integrative counselling is a way of working in which the counsellor draws on more than one therapeutic approach and combines them to suit the person in the room, instead of following a single model for everyone.
What it means
Counselling has several schools of thought. Person-centred counselling puts the relationship and the child’s own pace first. Cognitive behavioural ideas look at how thoughts, feelings and actions feed each other. Psychodynamic ideas look at how earlier experiences shape what happens now. Creative and play-based methods give children ways to communicate without relying on words.
An integrative counsellor is trained in more than one of these and chooses between them on purpose. It is a recognised way of training and practising in the UK, and many BACP members describe themselves this way. It does not mean picking techniques at random: the counsellor should be able to explain why they are doing what they are doing.
What it can look like for your child
A seven year old might spend most sessions in the sand tray or drawing, with very little talk. A thirteen year old with panic attacks might do some of that, and also learn a breathing routine and keep a simple worry diary to bring back. The same child might need different things in March than they did in September, and the sessions change with them.
How counselling can help
For children, the integrative approach means we don’t have to make a child fit a method. We start with the relationship, because without trust nothing else works, and then use whatever helps this particular child. Gitta is an integrative counsellor, and much of her work with younger children is play-based. We will always talk you through what we are doing and why.