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Integrative therapy is a type of therapy that combines ideas and techniques from different therapeutic approaches depending on the needs of the individual client. By merging elements of different treatments, an integrative therapist aims to offer a more flexible approach than those who practice just one type of therapy.

Integrative therapy approaches a client’s mental, physical, and emotional health in a holistic way to discover the sources of their unhealthy behavior patterns or other challenges and considers the approach most likely to lead to improvement. Among the techniques an integrative therapist may practice are cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, EMDR, mindfulness, art or music therapy, psychodynamic therapy, breathwork, family systems therapy, gestalt therapy, and trauma-informed therapy. An integrative therapist regularly evaluates the client’s progress and is prepared to pivot to a different approach if progress stalls.

As with most forms of talk therapy, there is no set duration or end point for integrative therapy; people who find they are making progress typically continue until they feel they’ve addressed the issues that spurred them to seek treatment. New patients should understand that it may take some time for a therapist to land on a treatment approach that best meets their needs, but once they do, they should expect sessions to extend for a number of months, typically including at least 12 sessions.

There are hundreds of types of talk therapy, and research shows that while they vary in form, goals, and frequency, many if not all can produce similarly successful outcomes. But a single approach does not always deliver the greatest, or speediest, benefit, and so even therapists primarily trained in one model will use tools, language, techniques, or exercises from others to shape an effective treatment plan.