Integrative/Eclectic approach 04/09/2025 Flashcards
What’s the most common theoretical orientation among practicing psychologists?
Integrative/Eclectic Psychotherapy
What is integrative/eclectic psychotherapy? (You DON’T need to know the difference between psychotherapy integration and integrative psychotherapy [p8 & 9])
A particular form of psychotherapy that draws its theoretical basis and
clinical methods from two or more theoretical orientations
What are 4 types of integrative approaches?
- Technical eclecticism
- Common factors
- Theoretical integration
- Assimilative integration
What are 6 stages of transtheoretical model of change?
- pre-contemplation
- contemplation
- preparation
- action
- maintenance
- relapse/termination (of behavior)
What does the empirical support for the integrative/eclectic approach look like?
■ Not a lot of research on integrative therapies
■ Existing research generally supports efficacy
What is Technical eclecticism?
– Therapist selects and uses techniques from different approaches
– Working from a “toolkit” of different approaches
– Most common & least complex form of integration
Strength: can draw on a variety of approaches to meet different client
needs
■ Weakness: may be atheoretical
– Does not require an underlying theory of how problems develop or
how change occurs
– Using techniques without understanding what is helping the client
What is Common Factors?
■ shared factors across a variety of therapeutic approaches, such as empathy and the therapeutic relationship
■ Based on:
– Findings that different theoretical orientations do not show
differences in effectiveness
■ (Some exceptions!)
– Idea that all approaches to psychotherapy share certain effective
ingredients
■ Maximizing use of change processes common across theoretical
orientations (i.e., common factors)
What is Theoretical Integration?
■ Bringing together theoretical concepts from different approaches to
form a new model of therapy
■ Most difficult & sophisticated form of integration
■ Example: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
– An integration of behavioral therapy and mindfulness
– In DBT, the dialectical framework allows for the synthesis and
integration of mindfulness and behavioral theories—radical
acceptance on one hand and the need for changes on the other
■ Acceptance: mindfulness, distress tolerance
■ Change: emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness
What is Assimilative Integration?
■ Maintaining one central theoretical position while incorporating
(assimilating) techniques from other theories
■ Between technical eclecticism and theoretical integration
■ Example: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
– Cognitive therapy as the main theoretical approach
– Incorporate mindfulness techniques
transtheoretical model:
1) pre-contemplation
- unaware of problem or consequences
- interventions: increase insight (validate, nurture/explore)
transtheoretical model:
2) contemplation
- considering change but not ready for action; stuck between change and no change (ambivalence)
- interventions: increase insight (listen, encourage)
transtheoretical model:
3) preparation
- making plans to take action; “baby steps”
- interventions: focus on action, behavioral change (smaller steps)
transtheoretical model:
4) action
- actively making significant changes to behavior, experiences, and environment
- interventions: focus on action, behavioral change (larger steps)
transtheoretical model:
5) maintenance
- prevent relapse of behavior; consolidate gains
- interventions: anticipate/prepare for challenges; celebrate progress
transtheoretical model:
6) relapse/termination (of behavior)
- change process complete ; zero temptation; high efficacy
- interventions: none
