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Understanding therapeutic methods

Therapy can sometimes seem cryptic and technical. Here we aim to de-mystify the therapeutic process as much as possible and equip you with the information you need to make an informed choice that works best for you..

What is Integerative Therapy?

Integrative therapy is a flexible approach to psychotherapy that combines techniques and theories from multiple therapeutic models to tailor treatment to the unique needs of each client.

Rather than adhering to a single school of thought, integrative therapy draws on a range of modalities—such as psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, and existential approaches—to address the client’s emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and relational concerns. The goal is to provide a holistic and personalized therapeutic experience that promotes healing and growth on multiple levels.

The core training Kindarrow therapy is rooted in is the work of Petrūska Clarkson and her five relationships model. This prioritises the relationship between the therapist and the client as being the transformative and catalytic element of therapy rather than any one specific method or theory. Further down this page you will find some descriptions of the type of work that Integrative Therapy can involve.

”The therapeutic alliance is the powerful joining of forces which energises and supports the long, difficult and frequently painful work of life-changing psychotherapy."

Petruska Clarkson

What Type of Therapy?

You may read or hear about types of therapy referred to as modalities, schools, methodologies or approaches. Here we define the most common.

Person Centred Therapy

Person-Centered Therapy, also known as client-centered therapy, is a type of counseling that focuses on the individual’s unique experience and perspective. The central idea is that each person has the capacity for growth and positive change within themselves. This approach was developed by Carl Rogers, a humanistic psychologist, who believed in the inherent goodness of individuals.

”The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.

Carl Rogers

The Process

Warm & Supportive Environment

The therapy session typically takes place in a comfortable and non-judgmental environment. The therapist aims to create a safe space where you feel accepted and understood.

Unconditional Positive Regard

The therapist practices unconditional positive regard, which means accepting and supporting you without judgment. They are there to understand your feelings and experiences, no matter what they may be.

Empathy

Empathy is a cornerstone of person-centered therapy. The therapist strives to understand your perspective and feelings, putting themselves in your shoes to comprehend your unique experience.

Active Listening

The therapist listens attentively to what you say, reflecting back your thoughts and emotions. This helps you feel heard and validated.

Non-directive Approach

Unlike some other therapeutic approaches, person-centered therapy is non-directive. This means the therapist doesn’t give advice or solutions but rather helps you explore your own thoughts and feelings.

Psychodynamic

Psychodynamic Therapy explores the influence of unconscious thoughts and past experiences on present behaviours and emotions.

Rooted in psychoanalytic principles, it aims to bring awareness to unresolved conflicts, facilitating insight and promoting psychological healing through self-discovery.

”Where does a thought go when it is forgotten?

Sigmund Freud

The Process

Assessment & Exploration

The therapist and client discuss the client’s history, experiences and current challenges. This helps identify patterns, unresolved conflicts and underlying emotions.

Building Trust

Establishing a strong therapeutic relationship is crucial. Trust allows clients to open up about their thoughts, feelings and memories.

Free Association

Clients express their thoughts and feelings freely, without censorship. This helps uncover hidden associations and emotions.

Dream Analysis

Exploring dreams provides insights into the subconscious mind. Symbols and themes in dreams are analysed to understand underlying issues.

Transference & Countertransference

Clients may project feelings onto the therapist (transference), and therapists must analyse and manage their own reactions (countertransference). This is explored in session.

Working Through

Clients explore and process emotions related to past experiences. They learn healthier coping mechanisms and resolve conflicts.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy that focuses on the relationships between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The primary aim of CBT is to help clients recognize and modify distorted thinking patterns, which influence their emotions and behaviors

”The goal of therapy is to help clients reframe their negative thoughts and beliefs so they can lead fulfilling lives.

Aaron BeckFounding Father of CBT

The Process

Assessment & Formulation

The therapist gathers information about the client’s history, presenting issues, and life circumstances. This includes understanding the client’s thought patterns, emotional responses, behaviors, and triggers.

Psychoeducation

Clients are introduced to the basic principles of CBT, including the cognitive model, which explains how thoughts influence feelings and behaviors. Clients learn that their reactions, such as anxiety or depressive thoughts, are common responses that can be understood and changed.

Goal Setting

The client and therapist agree on specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-limited (SMART) goals to focus on during therapy. Goals could be related to changing thought patterns, managing symptoms, or achieving particular life changes.

Identifying Negative Thoughts & Distortions

Clients are encouraged to notice and record negative automatic thoughts (NATs) that occur in response to situations.
Clients learn to recognize cognitive distortions, such as catastrophising, overgeneralizing, or black-and-white thinking, which can lead to unhelpful emotional and behavioral responses.

Cognitive Restructuring

Challenging NATs: Once identified, the therapist helps the client question the validity and accuracy of these thoughts, often by using Socratic questioning. For example, “What evidence supports or contradicts this thought?

Reframing: Clients practice replacing distorted or irrational thoughts with more balanced and realistic ones.

Behavioral Activation

Behavioral experiments: Clients engage in activities or experiments to test out their new ways of thinking and behaving. This might include activities to reduce avoidance or increase engagement in meaningful activities.

Breaking avoidance cycles: Clients work on confronting feared or avoided situations gradually (e.g., through exposure therapy for anxiety or phobias).

Skill Development

Coping strategies: Clients are taught various coping techniques to manage distressing emotions or thoughts, such as relaxation techniques, mindfulness, or problem-solving skills. Toward the end of therapy, clients develop strategies to handle potential setbacks, maintaining the progress they’ve made.

Homework Assignments

Practice between sessions: Clients are typically assigned homework to apply CBT techniques outside of sessions. This could include thought records, behavioral experiments, or engaging in specific activities aligned with therapy goals.

Ending Therapy & Maintenance

When the client’s goals have been met, therapy may come to a planned conclusion. The therapist and client will discuss the process of ending and how to maintain gains.
Clients leave with tools to continue challenging unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, including how to recognize early warning signs of relapse and take preventive actions.

Existential

Existential therapy is a philosophical approach to psychotherapy that focuses on exploring the fundamental concerns of human existence, such as freedom, responsibility, meaning, isolation, and mortality. Rooted in existential philosophy, it emphasizes the client’s capacity for self-awareness, choice, and personal growth. Rather than seeking to “fix” problems, existential therapy helps individuals confront and make sense of the anxieties and dilemmas inherent in life, encouraging them to live authentically and align their actions with their values. By addressing existential concerns, the therapy aims to empower clients to find meaning and purpose in their lives while embracing their freedom to shape their own destiny.

”By keeping death in mind, one passes into a state of gratitude, of appreciation for the countless givens of existence. This is what the Stoics meant when they said, “Contemplate death if you would learn how to live.

Irvin D. YalomExistentialist Psychiatrist

The Process

Therapeutic Relationship

There is work in building a strong, authentic and collaborative relationship that emphasises empathy, presence and openness to the clients experiences and creates a safe environment for exploration of existential concerns.

Clarifying Present Experience

The client's current life situation, emotions and challenges are explored. Phenomenology is used to focus on the lived experience without judgement or preconceived ideas.

Existential Concerns

The therapist helps the client uncover underlying existential themes such as freedom & responsibility, meaning & purpose, isolation & connection and mortality & death.

Exploring Values & Authenticity

Clients are assisted in uncovering their values and assessing the alignment between their actions and their authentic self. Encouragement in the pursuit of meaningful and self-determined choices.

Cognitive Restructuring

Challenging NATs: Once identified, the therapist helps the client question the validity and accuracy of these thoughts, often by using Socratic questioning. For example, “What evidence supports or contradicts this thought?

Reframing: Clients practice replacing distorted or irrational thoughts with more balanced and realistic ones.

Behavioral Activation

Behavioral experiments: Clients engage in activities or experiments to test out their new ways of thinking and behaving. This might include activities to reduce avoidance or increase engagement in meaningful activities.

Breaking avoidance cycles: Clients work on confronting feared or avoided situations gradually (e.g., through exposure therapy for anxiety or phobias).