{"id":59189,"date":"2020-02-22T11:30:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-22T11:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/counsellingtu.onpressidium.com\/?p=59189"},"modified":"2023-08-15T08:44:09","modified_gmt":"2023-08-15T07:44:09","slug":"pros-and-cons-of-integrative-counselling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/counsellingtutor.com\/pros-and-cons-of-integrative-counselling\/","title":{"rendered":"141 \u2013 Pros and Cons of Integrative Counselling"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t\t\t\t\"CT\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t

141 – Pros and Cons of Integrative Counselling<\/h1>\n\t

Standardising Assessment Levels – Endings in Counselling<\/h2>\n\t
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In episode 141 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes look at the pros and cons of integrative counselling, and compare it with eclectic counselling. ‘Check-In with CPCAB’ then focuses on standardising assessment levels across awarding bodies, before ‘Practice Matters’ discusses endings in counselling.<\/p>\n\t

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 * BACPAC practice management software for counsellors and psychotherapists is a sponsor of the Counselling Tutor Podcast.<\/p>\n

Get a 30-day free trial of BACPAC and a 30% discount by using the discount code CT2020<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Pros and Cons of Integrative Counselling (starts at 1.55 mins)<\/h2>\n\t

‘What is integrative counselling?’ and ‘What are the pros and cons of integrative counselling?’ are questions that are often posed on the Counselling Tutor Facebook group.<\/a><\/p>\n

If you’re not already a member, do come along and join in our discussions of current topics in the world of counselling and psychotherapy with 28,000 counselling students, qualified counsellors and counselling tutors.<\/p>\n

There is no single answer to these questions, but the term ‘integrative counselling’ is generally used to refer to a blending of two or more theoretical approaches in counselling to meet the individual client’s needs.<\/p>\n

Integrative counselling began in the 1990s, when various theorists began to believe that blending modalities might be helpful. Some course providers now train students specifically in integrative counselling.<\/p>\n

Different modalities do tackle clients’ issues in different ways – for example, person-centred therapy focuses on emotions while cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviours (and offers specific strategies and techniques to tackle certain issues).<\/p>\n

While integrative counselling seeks to address any potential theoretical conflicts between modalities, eclectic counselling instead draws separately on different modalities as appropriate – in this sense, the latter is rather like having a tool box, the different contents of which practitioners use on an ad hoc basis.<\/p>\n

Potential cons of integrative counselling include theoretical dilution and conflict in practitioners (who are required to blend two or more different sets of language).<\/p>\n

Rory has written a handout on the pros and cons of integrative counselling; this is available here, or through the Handouts Vault<\/a> and Counselling Study Resource<\/a> (CSR).<\/p>\n

On the Counselling Tutor website<\/a>, you can also read an article by integrative therapist Erin Stevens<\/a>, and download a handout on the four types of integration.<\/p>\n\t

Check-In with CPCAB: Standardising Assessment Levels (starts at 12.05 mins)<\/h2>\n\t

Rory talks to Heather Price (Senior Counselling Professional) at CPCAB (Counselling & Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body) about how awarding bodies standardise assessment, ensuring consistency in counselling training.<\/p>\n

This is important for both students (so they know they will receive broadly equal training at any course provider offering a particular level of course) and employers (who need to know they can rely on counsellors’ competence).<\/p>\n

Ofqual is a key body in ensuring these standards, encouraging fairness, transparency and universality in counselling training.<\/p>\n

Heather explains that CPCAB itself uses various methods to ensure consistency across its own course providers:<\/h4>\n