Workshops di Psicoterapia Integrativa
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Integrative Psychotherapy:
How psychotherapists can adopt a developmentally based and relationally focussed approach
Dr. Richard G. Erskine
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While we associate the term ‘Integrative Psychotherapy’ with an integration of theory – the bringing together of affective, cognitive, behavioural, and physiological dimensions of human functioning within a relational system – this approach also refers to the process of integrating the personality. Integrative psychotherapy is a comprehensive approach that emphasises the interconnectedness of various aspects of human experience and the importance of synthesizing these aspects into a coherent whole.
Drawing on an integrative therapeutic approach allows us, as therapists, to help the client:
• Assimilate and harmonise the contents of their ego states
• Relax the defence mechanisms
• Relinquish the life script and
• Re-engage the world with full contact
This comprehensive approach facilitates a deeper understanding of the client's internal and external experiences, promoting a more profound level of healing and self-integration.
The integration of personality in this context involves the following three key processes:
Centrality of contactful relationships: The therapeutic steps that the therapist needs to take to facilitate a client’s development of a comprehensive and congruent narrative of their sense of self. This involves helping clients to construct a coherent story of their life and experiences, which includes recognizing and reconciling conflicting aspects of their identity and experiences.
The process of making whole: Taking disowned, unaware, unresolved, or fragmented aspects of the self and integrating them within a cohesive entity. This entails recognizing parts of the self that have been rejected or split off and working through these elements to achieve inner harmony and wholeness.
Enabling a client to assume personal awareness and responsibility so that their behaviour in any situation is by choice and not stimulated by compulsion, fear, or conditioning. This step focuses on fostering self-awareness and encouraging clients to take ownership of their actions and decisions, thereby enhancing their autonomy and reducing the influence of unconscious drives and past conditioning.
This involves the resolution of a client’s unconscious script inhibitions or compulsions in relationship with people, inflexibility in problem-solving, and deficiencies in health care. Such a “script cure” involves:
• An internal reorganization and new integration of affective and cognitive structures
• Undoing physiological retroflections
• Decommissioning introjections and
• Consciously choosing behaviour that is meaningful and appropriate
in the current relationship or task rather than behaviour that is determined
by compulsion or fear or archaic coping reactions.
The aim of an in-depth and integrative psychotherapy is to provide the quality of therapeutic relationship, understanding, and skill that facilitates the client becoming conscious of what was previously unconscious, so that they can be intimate with others, maintain good health, and engage in the tasks of everyday life without pre-formed restrictions.
At this comprehensive, hands-on and practically-oriented training workshop, Dr Richard Erskine - founder and world-renowned expert on Integrative Therapy - draws on this approach to find deeper healing for our clients and help them engage fully with their world, experiences and relationships. Through lecture, case vignettes, and clinical discussions, the workshop emphasises how we can incorporate learnings from Integrative Psychotherapy in conjunction with our primary modalities. At this workshop we will have an in-depth look at:
• The eight philosophical principles central to an Integrative approach: These principles form the foundation of Integrative Psychotherapy, guiding the therapeutic process and ensuring a holistic approach that respects the complexity and individuality of each client.
• The centrality of contactful relationships: This topic explores the importance of genuine, authentic connections in the therapeutic relationship. It emphasizes the role of empathy, presence, and attunement in fostering a healing environment where clients feel seen, heard, and understood.
• An understanding of unconscious relational patterns: This includes recognising and addressing the ways in which past relationships and experiences shape current interactions and behaviours. It involves exploring transference and countertransference dynamics and helping clients become aware of and transform maladaptive patterns.
• The integration of physiology, affective, cognition, and behaviour within a client ’ s unique relational system: This topic delves into how these four dimensions interact and influence one another within the context of the client's life and relationships. It highlights the importance of considering the whole person in therapy, not just isolated symptoms or behaviours.
• The application of child development concepts in psychotherapy with adults: This involves understanding how early developmental stages and experiences impact adult functioning and using this knowledge to inform therapeutic interventions. It includes examining attachment styles, developmental tasks, and the resolution of childhood traumas.
• Phenomenological, historical, transferential, and relational inquiry: This approach to inquiry involves exploring the client's lived experiences, personal history, and the dynamics of the therapeutic relationship. It encourages therapists to adopt a curious, open-minded stance and to consider multiple perspectives in understanding the client's issues.
• The therapeutic significance of acknowledgment, validation, normalization, and presence: These elements are crucial for creating a safe and supportive therapeutic environment. They involve recognizing and affirming the client's experiences, reducing feelings of shame and isolation, and fostering a sense of acceptance and belonging.
• Attunement to the client’ s affect, rhythm, and style of cognition: This involves being sensitive to the client's emotional states, pacing, and cognitive processes. It requires therapists to adapt their approach to match the client's needs and to respond in a way that resonates with the client's inner experience.
• The eight Relational-Needs: These needs represent fundamental aspects of human relationships that must be met for healthy development and functioning. Understanding and addressing these needs in therapy can help clients achieve greater relational satisfaction and emotional well-being.
• The therapeutic use of the Script System: This involves exploring and modifying the client's life script – the unconscious narrative that guides their behaviour and interactions. By bringing these scripts into awareness and challenging maladaptive patterns, therapists can help clients create more adaptive and fulfilling life stories.
This workshop is an unmissable opportunity for therapists seeking to deepen their understanding and expand their skills in Integrative Psychotherapy. Led by Dr Richard Erskine; participants will gain practical knowledge, hands-on experience and theoretical insights that can be immediately applied in their practice. Whether you are a seasoned therapist or new to the field, this training will help equip you with the tools and knowledge to facilitate profound transformations in your clients. Register now and take the next step in your journey towards enhancing your therapeutic efficacy and professional growth.