A THERAPEUTIC APPROACH AT WELLSPRING
Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy
A thoughtful combination of approaches, shaped around you. Integrative therapy brings a clinician’s training, your concerns and your preferences into a coherent plan for the work.
At Wellspring, our therapists draw on different methods and professional backgrounds. An integrative approach allows the work to address more than one aspect of a concern—for example, patterns in thinking, emotional experiences, relationships and everyday behaviour.
What does integrative mean?
Your therapist may work primarily within one approach and incorporate elements from other methods when they fit your needs. The combination should have a clear purpose, reflect the clinician’s training, and be discussed with you.
For example, you might work on practical coping skills while also exploring emotional or relationship patterns. Your therapist can explain why a method is being suggested, what it involves and how you will review its usefulness.
The approaches listed on each clinician’s profile describe their particular ways of working. An Integrative label describes their overall style; ask the clinician about the specific methods they would use with you.
What might the work include?
Practical thinking and behaviour work
CBT can contribute ways to examine unhelpful thinking, test more balanced perspectives and practise changes in everyday life.
Emotional and experiential work
Emotion-Focused Therapy and other experiential approaches can help you explore emotional experiences and needs in the session.
Attention to past experiences
When trauma-related concerns are relevant, a suitably trained clinician may discuss EMDR or another trauma-focused approach as part of an assessment and treatment plan.
Relationship, meaning and parts work
Depending on your clinician’s training, the work may draw on Narrative Therapy, parts work, attachment-focused perspectives or other therapeutic approaches.
A plan you can understand and take part in
- Clarify your goals. Discuss what has been happening and what you would like to be different.
- Explore the proposed approach. Ask how the methods fit your concerns, preferences and the clinician’s training.
- Agree on the pace. Talk about what feels manageable and any practical work between appointments.
- Review and adjust. Notice what is helping, raise concerns and revisit the plan as needed. Pace and outcomes vary.
The National Institute of Mental Health’s psychotherapy overview describes how therapists may use one approach or elements from several approaches according to their training and the person’s needs.
Find the right clinician for the way you want to work
You may prefer structured skills, a reflective conversation, active experiential work, or a combination. Compare the therapists’ profiles and ask what their integrative approach looks like in practice.
Explore individual counselling, couples counselling or our full therapy directory. Online sessions are available across BC; in-person sessions are currently offered in Vancouver by appointment through select clinicians. For online appointments elsewhere, use the province and territory guide.
Questions to bring to a consultation
- Which approaches would you suggest for my concerns, and why?
- What training and experience inform that work?
- How do you balance practical skills, emotional work and reflection?
- How will we review progress and discuss changes to the plan?
Will every therapist use the same methods?
Each clinician brings their own training and experience. Review their profile and ask which methods they propose for you. The Integrative label does not change the specific methods or qualifications listed in the profile.
How does this relate to CorMorphosis™ Psychotherapy?
Integrative describes a broad way of drawing on more than one approach. CorMorphosis™ Psychotherapy is a specific approach developed by Wellspring founder Alistair Gordon. Read the dedicated page and discuss the work with a clinician who lists it.
Is the free consultation a therapy session?
The free 15-minute consultation is an introductory conversation about fit, questions and next steps. Regular therapy appointments are separate paid sessions. Review our fees and policies before booking.