Maria J Benito
Clinicians generally orient theoretically towards Integrative therapy which is based on integration and synthesis of diverse theoretical methods in order to improve treatment outcome. Different ways of integrative therapy are: common factors, assimilative integration, technical eclecticism and theoretical integration. There is a consistent need for novel ways for mental health treatment. Another popular orientation among clinicians is eclecticism, in which case, there is no theoretical concepts underpinning the practice, but it is based on the combination of techniques that were proved to be effective. Practice and experience help to identify the pathways that each therapist wants to adopt. However, in the search for their own therapeutic style, new therapist can fall into syncretism, a random combination without cohesion that can be hazardous to the patient/client. This article outlines the main models of integrative therapies and highlights the differences between integration/eclecticism and syncretism. It also describes how to develop the therapist´s own integrative approach, constructing his or her own integrative theory based on current and contextual dimensions and moving away from syncretism.
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