The 4 great integrative models in psychological therapy

Although traditionally psychologists, including clinicians, have adhered to certain theoretical models (such as the behavioral, psychodynamic, phenomenological or humanistic), there is a growing trend towards the integration of different approaches. However, these kinds of movements date back to at least the middle of the 20th century.

In this article we will describe the features of the main integrative models in psychological therapy, as well as the types of integration that exist. Among the developments we will talk about, we can highlight the interpersonal therapy of Klerman and Weissman or the transtheoretical model of change of Prochaska and Diclemente.

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Integrative models in psychotherapy

In 1950 John Dollard and Neal Miller, two researchers at Yale University, published the work “Personality and psychotherapy: an analysis in terms of learning, thinking and culture". In her reformulated key concepts of psychoanalysis in behavioral terms; this was one of the first milestones in the history of integration in psychotherapy.

At this time there were multiple psychological models in vogue; psychoanalysis and learning theory were the most influential, but other orientations also carried weight, and new ones were beginning to flourish, such as cognitivism. This context favored the mixture of very varied proposals, sometimes opposed to each other.

Another relevant aspect in the development of integrative models is constituted the investigations into the efficacy of psychotherapy and its components and approaches. The results suggested that different forms of intervention could be useful depending on the specific case, and that much of the success of psychotherapy should be attributed to common factors.

During the decades that followed, the integrative movement continued to develop along very different paths. In this sense we must distinguish three main types of integration in psychotherapy, which reveal different approaches towards a common goal: increasing the explanatory capacity of the models and the effectiveness of the treatments.

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What types of integration exist?

There are three big types of psychotherapeutic integration: theoretical, technical and common factors approach, which focuses on the aspects underlying the efficacy of therapy regardless of its orientation. This division is very general and does not represent the complexity of the integrative movement, but it gives an idea of ​​its basic tendencies.

1. Theoretical integration

Theoretical integration consists of combining the approaches of different psychological orientations. In some cases, equal weight is given to complementary approaches, such as the behaviorism and cognitivism, while in others a theory is used as a basis and the concepts of others are introduced into it; Constructivism is particularly helpful in this regard.

2. Technical eclecticism

Technical integration is commonly known as "technical eclecticism." This approach focuses on increase the effectiveness of psychotherapy by combining the most useful inputs from different orientations for specific problems. Thus, it is easier to apply than theoretical integration, although it runs the risk of lacking systematicity.

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3. Common factors approach

This approach to integration is probably the oldest of the three; its origin dates back to the decades between 1930 and 1960, in which the contributions of Rosenzweig, Alexander and French or Carl Rogers appeared. At present it is known that 30% of the effectiveness of therapies is due to common factors and only 15% to the chosen techniques.

Integrative psychological theories and therapies

Although there are many psychotherapeutic approaches that can be encompassed within the integrative paradigm, we will focus only on some of the most significant examples. Other relevant models include the dynamic cyclical psychotherapy of Wachtel, the theoretical integrationism of Neimeyer and Feixas or the proposal of Mardi Horowitz.

1. Rogers Person Centered Therapy

Carl Rogers, a pioneer of humanistic psychotherapy, developed his person-centered model from his research on the therapeutic process. From these he concluded that effectiveness depends mainly on the authentic attitude of the therapist, as well as that he unconditionally accepts the client and is able to empathize with him.

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2. Klerman and Weissman interpersonal therapy

Gerald Klerman and Myrna Weissman developed their interpersonal therapy as a method of treating major depression in the 1970s; at present it is also applied in cases of bulimia or in family therapy. This type of intervention part of psychodynamic theory and cognitive behavioral therapy and includes techniques of different models.

3. Lazarus multimodal therapy

Richard Lazarus is known primarily for his contributions to coping with stress. His multimodal therapy proposes the use of very diverse techniques depending on the specific problems and the client's personality; this includes interventions such as behavior modification, cognitive restructuring, biofeedback, and drug therapy.

4. Prochaska and Diclemente transtheoretical model of change

This theoretical and practical model it is applied in the treatment of addictions. It defines the change in six stages (pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance and completion), two types of process (cognitive-experiential and behavioral) and five levels (symptomatic, cognitive, interpersonal, systemic and intrapersonal).

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