CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE MOVE TOWARDS INTEGRATION IN COUNSELING

Introduction

Different theories of counselling are instrumental in determining why certain things occur the way they do. This is because every theory is a collection of ideas about therapeutic relationships. Consequently, the trend towards integration in counselling mirrors this concept; it attempts to include all the ideas prevalent in different theories so as to come up with a comprehensive psychotherapeutic solution.

Reasons for the trend towards integration in counselling
Counselling has grown tremendously over the past years; now practitioners have a deeper understanding of what other areas of studies mean and most theories have been demystified. Consequently, counsellors now respect the different theories that lie outside their common areas of practice. They have also realised that there are a number of commonalities between these approaches and it would therefore be favourable to incorporate them all into one integrative approach. (Lees, 2004)

Counsellors are also embracing integration due to the fact that the therapeutic relationship has taken greater precedence today than in the past. This is largely because now counsellors are now operating in such a manner that they have their own style of therapy. These days, the latter group have made a move towards creating something that is unique to their own counselling approach. This premise is based on the research recognition of why this kind of methodology is relevant to them.

Workplace demands have evolved recently. This is largely because most of the time there is a need to work under stringent conditions of time and money. Consequently, counsellors have found that they need to look for ways in which they can accommodate some of these rising demands thus causing them to result to more innovative methods of handling it. In other words, sticking to a counsellor’s primary model could result in very poor results thus leading to low performance levels.

On top of the latter issues, the move towards integration in counselling has been largely favoured by evidence based approaches. It has been found that utilising a collection of techniques and approaches has been more effective than approaching the problem only from one particular perspective. This is largely because each and every individual case has its own unique needs. Clients’ problems may require a specific range of interventions in order to meet all these needs and hence necessitating the need for an integrative approach. (Fear & Woolfe, 2000)

Lastly, many counsellors have embraced the issue of integration because there are always new models and theories being developed in the field. This means that they are in such a position where they are spoilt for choice. Instead of dropping one approach in favour of another, therapists have opted to embrace numerous approaches so that they can bring something unique to the table.

Implementation of integrative approaches
An integrated approach may be widely accepted within the psychotherapist field; however, the tendency to adopt a pick and mix approach is not a very effective one. This is largely because is sends mixed signals to the respective clients and in other circumstances; it causes a scenario in which the therapeutic space becomes unpredictable and even unsafe. In fact, it has been asserted that most new counsellors and therapists have a tendency to merely pick a certain approach and mix it with another without paying attention to the particular intricacies associated with the matter. In other words, young counsellors or those without much experience tend to go about integration in a wrong manner owing to the fact that most of them lack an in depth understanding of what each of these models entail. In certain circumstances, new counsellors may be bombarded with so many approaches that they may be unable to decide which ones are applicable to specific clients and which ones are not. It can therefore be said that integration is a very intricate issue and must therefore involve an in depth contextualisation process. (Spurling, 2002)

Research has shown that the following areas are likely to create problems during the process of implementation
• Therapeutic goals
• Therapist functions
• Underlying philosophies

In order to ensure success in the psychotherapeutic process, there is a need to look into the latter enlisted issues. For instance in the person centred approach, the basic philosophy is that all human beings have the ability to grow and change their respective circumstances. In other words, the gaols of therapy in the latter approach are related to the spontaneity and trusting of one self. The therapeutic relationship governing this approach is linked to the process of accepting oneself and being able to cope with oneself as one is.

On the other hand, another approach such as the psychodynamic approach is quite different from the person centred approach. Here, the basic philosophy is that individuals are products of the developmental processes and identifying unconscious pain caused by early experiences is key to intervention. The basic therapeutic gaol in this case is to establish a situation in which the unconscious state is made conscious thus bringing about greater levels of satisfaction in this regard. The therapeutic relationship is driven by a need to hold back by the counsellor during the listening process and then a need to hold on to a revelation about the unconscious state.

As it can be seen from the latter two examples, there are tensions and contradictions in different theoretical approaches and when considering integration, it would therefore be favourable to put all these ideas into mind. For instance, it would not make sense for one to apply the person centred approach in that one believes that individuals have the capacity to find their own solutions then on the other hand, mix this with the psychodynamic approach in which one attempts to ask leading questions to reveal some hidden issues. Additionally, it would be contradictory for a counsellor to consider Freud’s ideas on counselling in certain scenarios. For instance, when merging the latter approach with existential ideas embracing the concept of free will, it would be problematic trying to include Freud’s ideas on the subconscious’s ability to repress certain ideas. (Lees, 1999)

In other situations, it would not be advisable for counsellors to merge ideas about Gestalt induction (which focuses on the present) with ideas about early developmental stages as put out in the psychodynamic approach. In certain scenarios, it would not make sense trying to incorporate the cognitive behavioural models together with the person centred approach. This is because in the former model, focus is on challenging one’s irrational beliefs. On the other hand, the latter model places more emphasis on the client as the sole driver of issues within a therapeutic session. (Horton, 2000)

Given the latter contradictions, one is therefore left to wonder what could be the driving force behind adopting a certain integrative approach. Research has shown that the best bet in any given circumstance is the quality of the client therapist relationship. In other words, whenever there is a need to create a change in one’s therapeutic approach, then the best way to deal with this is by looking at how it will reflect in the relationship.

An example of how some psycho therapists such as Kahn have managed to apply these differing approach is by looking at theories with common principles. For instance, the latter individuals’ approach is through the adoption of Freud’s, Roger’s, Kohut and Gills ideas. Other counsellors may choose to adopt fixed models of integration. An example of such an approach is the Triangle of Insight proposed by Karl Menninger. The latter approach can be quite favourable to counsellors because it allows for greater flexibility in counselling while at the same time not allowing counsellors to get lost in the sea of counselling approaches. What this means is that the latter integrative approach can act as a template against which counsellors map out their respective areas of interest.

Another alternative that therapists can use during counselling to embrace the move towards integration is the CPCAB model. Usually, this denotes the use of three particular approaches. Here, there is a need to acknowledge the role that the self plays with regard to personal history. Additionally, there may be a need to include both internal and external influences affecting a respective clients’ life. All the three approaches involved in the latter model have their own specific set of skills and may therefore require in depth knowledge of each.

All in all, it can be said that the most important thing to look out for in any therapeutic process is a method of establishing how client got to their respective circumstances. Additionally, therapeutic processes also assist in the process of coming up with the most feasible method of constituting change especially with regard to the kind of matters that are affecting that particular candidate. The process of facilitating that change is also fundamental in determining whether an integrative approach will be successful or not. In summary, the following questions would be the best guideline for facilitating an integrative approach
-Which theories are most appropriate in understanding a clients’ understanding of himself/ herself, his development and his past?
- Are some of these patterns still prevalent in current relationships?
-How are the latter patterns being manifested in these current relationships? (O’Brien & Houston, 2000)


In close association to the latter matter is the fact that client work needs to focus on the internal world of the client and how this is related to that client’s internal conflicts. Additionally, integration ought to allow for an examination of how the self came to be through his/ her past. Lastly, the counsellor should look for ways in which a focus on past relationships can change the circumstances that a particular client has been having.

Conclusion
The move towards integration has become a common phenomenon. However, this move does not necessarily mean that merely applying differing approaches can work for a particular therapist. Counsellors must realise that there are tensions and contradictions in certain theories and that choosing to adhere to them blindly may impede the counselling process. It is therefore imperative for one to either adopt a template for integration or adhere to certain fundamental principles of psychotherapy.

References

Lees, J. (2004): Eclecticism and integration; Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 15, 6, 25-27
Spurling, L. (2002): One model is not enough; Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 13, 6, 14-16
O’Brien, M. & Houston, G. (2000): Integrative Therapy, London, Sage Publications
Horton, I. (2000): Principles and practice of personal integration; Sage
Fear, R. & Woolfe, R. (2000): The personal, the professional and the basis of integrative practice, London, Sage
Lees, J. (1999): What is clinical counselling in context?, London: Routledge

The author of this article is a holder of Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Harvard University and currently pursing PhD Program. He is also a professional academic writer. ResearchPapers247.Com>