Psychotherapy Integration Considerations
Upon applying for a doctoral program, you may or may not be asked about your theoretical orientation; however, I would not be quick to offer that information up front, unless the program specifically involves, lets say, Systems theory exclusively and only seeking students interested in that orientation. Whether or not you are asked about your theoretical orientation, I think it is a good idea to have a preferred orientation. A good start is to read the literature on theoretical orientations in psychology: Cognitive Behavioral, Psychodynamic, Existential-Humanistic (E-H), and Integration theories.
I would caution students from revealing their proclivity towards Integration models in particular. Because both new and experienced therapists have used Integrated theories in a grab bag fashion (pick and choose elements from various theories and haphazardly blend them), there is skepticism about certain Integrated models. Technical Eclecticism and Theoretical Integration are the models that are not received as well in psychological community. Of course, this is based on Western viewpoints. This may not be the consensus in other countries. The two more accepted forms of Integration theories are Assimilative Integration Model (see Paul L. Wachtel; Jerold R. Gold) and Multi-theoretical Integration Model (see Prochaska and DiClemente; Brooks-Harris).
Because there is a lot of literature on the first three orientations listed above Cognitive Behavioral, Psychodynamic, and E-H, I have provided some links for students and professions to read more about Integration Models. It is good to be aware of such models because you want to be familiar with contemporary trends in psychotherapy just as much as you are with statistics, research, and forming scholarly arguments. Most doctoral programs will cover psychotherapy in addition to these other areas.
**Disclaimer: This post is not meant to persuade others to follow this model, nor I am I connected with SEPI, or receiving benefits from them or any other Integration organization for discussing Integration material; however, for the sake of growing in knowledge of psychotherapy trends, I have given students literature to examine for themselves.
http://www.cyberpsych.org/sepi/stricker.htm
http://www.cyberpsych.org/sepi/wachtel.htm
http://www.cyberpsych.org/sepi/safran.htm
http://ccvillage.buffalo.edu/Village/WC/MTP_pages/PDF/LessonOne.pdf
http://ccvillage.buffalo.edu/Village/WC/MTP_pages/textbook.html
http://www.sepiweb.org/
I would caution students from revealing their proclivity towards Integration models in particular. Because both new and experienced therapists have used Integrated theories in a grab bag fashion (pick and choose elements from various theories and haphazardly blend them), there is skepticism about certain Integrated models. Technical Eclecticism and Theoretical Integration are the models that are not received as well in psychological community. Of course, this is based on Western viewpoints. This may not be the consensus in other countries. The two more accepted forms of Integration theories are Assimilative Integration Model (see Paul L. Wachtel; Jerold R. Gold) and Multi-theoretical Integration Model (see Prochaska and DiClemente; Brooks-Harris).
Because there is a lot of literature on the first three orientations listed above Cognitive Behavioral, Psychodynamic, and E-H, I have provided some links for students and professions to read more about Integration Models. It is good to be aware of such models because you want to be familiar with contemporary trends in psychotherapy just as much as you are with statistics, research, and forming scholarly arguments. Most doctoral programs will cover psychotherapy in addition to these other areas.
**Disclaimer: This post is not meant to persuade others to follow this model, nor I am I connected with SEPI, or receiving benefits from them or any other Integration organization for discussing Integration material; however, for the sake of growing in knowledge of psychotherapy trends, I have given students literature to examine for themselves.
Visit the links below:
http://www.cyberpsych.org/sepi/stricker.htm
http://www.cyberpsych.org/sepi/wachtel.htm
http://www.cyberpsych.org/sepi/safran.htm
http://ccvillage.buffalo.edu/Village/WC/MTP_pages/PDF/LessonOne.pdf
http://ccvillage.buffalo.edu/Village/WC/MTP_pages/textbook.html
http://www.sepiweb.org/
