What is integrative counselling?
Article by Dee-Anne Doak, MACP/RCCCounselling is a bit like cooking: there are a lot of ingredients to choose from, and a lot of different taste buds to engage. There is no single “right” dish to serve everyone – and that’s where Integrative Counselling comes in.
How does integrative counselling work to achieve results in therapy?
No single approach to counselling will work for every situation, or for every individual.
Instead, an effective clinical counsellor will choose and utilize elements from a variety of different counselling methodologies. I make these choices depending on the needs, preferences, and beliefs of each individual.
Like a recipe, there are many different flavours that can be blended in counselling. Not everybody responds the same way to each ingredient.
- Are your taste buds accustomed to spice, or do you prefer mild foods?
- Do you have allergies that need to be considered?
- Have you cultivated your own garden and want to contribute to the meal?
Cooking is an intricate blend of art and science. There are specific skills and techniques that need to be learned.
A good chef understands which ingredients work well together. A good chef also looks for opportunities to try new combinations.
And, of course, a good chef does this all while keeping their ‘diner’ top of mind.
Counselling is not all that different to cooking
Instead of spices and utensils I draw upon my years of training and practical experience.
And instead of cooking up the tastiest, most flavourful dish for my clients, I strive to identify and whisk together the most appropriate and effective techniques in order to satisfy each unique palate.
About Dee-Anne
Dee-Anne Doak, MACP/RCC