Review article : Counseling and psychotherapy integration

Abstract

Objective This article aimed to review and integrate existing literature and related research concerning counseling and psychotherapy integration to support clinical practice and encourage more research topics in this field.

Materials and methods Ariticles were obtained through online-databases and related textbooks for analysis, categorization and paraphrasing.

Results Counseling and psychotherapy integration could be classify into 4 methods: 1) Theoretical integration is combination the theories of counseling and psychotherapy including concepts of human nature, process and techniques to be a unique theory. 2) Technical eclecticism is integrative the only evidence based techniques from different theories. 3) Assimilative integration involves grounding oneself in a core theory of counseling and psychotherapy but selectively incorporating of techniques from other theories which help to fulfill goals of the core theory and 4) Common factors are the core factors affecting changes in clients by not depending on any theory of counseling and psychotherapy.

Conclusion The integrative or eclectic model of counseling and psychotherapy could be classified into 4 methods. Each had different degree of research support. Researcher can choose the interested method and find new research topics which can be applicable to Thai people.