Review Article iMedPub Journals Dual Diagnosis: Open Access 2018 http://www.imedpub.com/ Vol.3 No.3:08 ISSN 2472-5048 DOI: 10.21767/2472-5048.100042 The Fine Line between Integration or Eclecticism and Syncretism in New Therapists Maria J Benito* MB Counselling Clinic, Dublin, Ireland *Corresponding author: Maria J Benito, MB Counselling Clinic, Dublin, Ireland, Tel: +353868286762; E-mail: [email protected] Received date: November 29, 2018; Accepted date: December 19, 2018; Published date: December 28, 2018 Citation: Benito MJ (2018) The Fine Line Between Integration or Eclecticism and Syncretism in New Therapists. Dual Diagn Open Acc Vol.3 No.3: 8. Copyright: ©2018 Benito MJ. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. psychotherapy, connecting constructs from several theoretical schools and considering multiple views on human functioning, Abstract psychodynamic, client-centered, behaviorist, family therapy, Gestalt therapy, Reichian-influenced body psychotherapy, object Clinicians generally orient theoretically towards Integrative relations theories, and psychoanalytic self-psychology. therapy which is based on integration and synthesis of Transactional analysis forms the main basis of such approach. diverse theoretical methods in order to improve treatment Each of these approaches independently provides a valid outcome. Different ways of integrative therapy are: common factors, assimilative integration, technical explanation of psychological functioning and behaviour, and eclecticism and theoretical integration. There is a consistent selective integration amongst them enhances their effectivity need for novel ways for mental health treatment. Another [2]. In order to form a cohesive core of constructs that inform popular orientation among clinicians is eclecticism, in which and guide the psychotherapeutic process, a theory needs to be case, there is no theoretical concepts underpinning the integrative and it must also separate out those concepts and practice, but it is based on the combination of techniques ideas that are not consistent [3]. Therefore, psychotherapists that were proved to be effective. Practice and experience based on integrative approach, are more theoretically grounded help to identify the pathways that each therapist wants to adopt. However, in the search for their own therapeutic and while blending their theories, they are not only concerned style, new therapist can fall into syncretism, a random with what works, but why it works [4]. combination without cohesion that can be hazardous to the On the flip side, eclecticism is a therapeutic approach where patient/client. This article outlines the main models of integrative therapies and highlights the differences between therapists might take a ‘pick-and-mix’ approach in choosing the integration/eclecticism and syncretism. It also describes techniques for their clients. Such therapists practice essentially how to develop the therapist´s own integrative approach, intuition-based therapy by using techniques which are not based constructing his or her own integrative theory based on on research evidence but on what they feel is right in the current and contextual dimensions and moving away from situation. It is difficult to integrate certain therapeutic syncretism. approaches, whereas the systematic application of techniques taken from approaches is easier. Hence, eclectic psychotherapists are primarily concerned with what works and Integration; Eclecticism; Syncretism; Evidence- Keywords: may theoretically blend a few schools as well as techniques [5]. based practice; Development of integrative styles Furthermore, there is a potential hazard of the integrative approach that is recognised as syncretism. Syncretism refers to Introduction arbitrary and unsystematic merging of different beliefs, while Historically, training, research and practice in counselling and blending approaches of various schools of thought [6]. psychotherapy have been dominated by unitary theoretical models. Later, integrative and eclectic orientations have been Integration and Integrative Approaches developed as alternatives. The underlying principle is that psychological difficulties may have multiple causes and it is Integrations can be defined as the combination, in a unlikely to have one therapeutic method that would be theoretical way, of different psychotherapy approaches. The appropriate in all situations, as different people are helped by integrationist movement, within the past 20 years has tried to different processes at different times [1]. put the emphasis on the client rather than the therapeutic approach. A move towards acceptance of theoretical Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration (SEPI) ‘independence’ and integration has been made in order to was established in the year 1983. Ever since its inception, undermine the regressive dependency upon theoretical faiths psychotherapy integration has been a formal approach. and their forceful implementation regardless of suitability [7]. Integration represents merging of affective, cognitive, The practitioners of this therapeutic approach attempt to behavioural, physiological as well as systems approach for © Under License of Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License | This article is available from: http://dual-diagnosis.imedpub.com/ 1 Dual Diagnosis: Open Access 2018 ISSN 2472-5048 Vol.3 No.3:08 customize treatment in order to meet the client’s unique and Formal models of assimilative integration have been specific needs as they belief that the outcome of therapy relates described which are either based on a psychodynamic to the therapists. foundation [21,22] or on cognitive behavioural therapy [23]. Integrationists are increasingly acknowledging that several Models of integrative practice include: Common factors; counsellors would prefer the security of one foundational theory technical eclecticism; theoretical integration and assimilative as they begin the process of integrative exploration. integration. Additionally, there are new models that combine aspects of Common factors were described by Jerome [8], Bruce [9], as the traditional routes. For example, Clara's [24] three-stage well as Miller et al. [10]. Recently, three independent groups had model of helping skills emphasizes on the skills from diverse a common to a conclusion that a wide variety of theories during different stages of helping which could be psychotherapies can be integrated through their common ability considered as amalgamation of theoretical integration and to trigger the neurobiological mechanism leading to memory Technical eclecticism. Good et al. [25] Integration of common reconsolidation [11,12]. The common factors approach includes factors and Technical eclecticism emphasizes on the core the use of techniques across treatments irrespective of their components of effective therapy and specific techniques which theoretical orientation. The aim of common factors approach is are designed to target clients' specific areas of concern. to consider the common tools in each approach that can be useful in the therapy [4]. The advantage of this approach lies in Brooks-Harris' [26] Multi-theoretical psychotherapy is based the importance of therapeutic actions that are demonstrated to on a combination of elements of technical eclecticism and be effective. However, common factors may overlook specific theoretical integration. In this, the therapists are encouraged to techniques that are developed within particular theories. make conscious choices with regard to combining theories and intervention strategies. Selection of best interventions based on experience, knowledge and research literature that is most appropriate for Integral psychotherapy [18,19] is based on the contributions the clients is referred as technical eclecticism [13]. This approach of theoretical psychologist and philosopher, Ken Wilber [27], encourages the use of diverse strategies and does not get which integrates insights from contemplative and meditative hindered by the theoretical differences. However, there may not traditions. This approach can be used to define any multi-modal be a well-defined framework for convergence of diverse approach that combines the therapies. theories. Lazarus' [14] multimodal therapy and the systematic treatment selection [15] are the examples of technical eclectic Eclecticism psychotherapy. Eclectic therapists generally do not subscribe to common set Integration of behavioral theory and psychoanalytical theory of principles since eclectic approach is based on differences for treatment intervention refers to Theoretical integration. This rather than similarities. Hence, there are several eclectic approach is based on the philosophy that joining two theories approaches. Each eclectic therapist functions based on specific would probably work more effectively than single premise [4]. training received, experience, probably with bias and on case by Certain models focus on combining small number of theories case basis with no common set of principles. at deep level while other models are based on the relationship However, a true eclectic is neither haphazard nor non- between several systems of psychotherapy. Due to distinctions systematic. According to an old definition by English & English in philosophies, ideas, concepts and assumptions, it is