Integration of Cognitive Psychotherapies: Vive La Différence!, Right Now

Abstract

This paper comments on Ramsey’s paper, Postmodern cognitive therapy: Cognitions, narratives, and personal meaning-making, which discusses the possibility of an integration between narrative and more traditional cognitive models. Although an integration is possible, I consider it to be a difficult task given the large theoretical, epistemological and ontological differences between the two ways of understanding not only therapy, but human beings as meaning-making subjects. Therefore, in reviewing this paper I discuss this difficulty and what I consider to be a more useful path to follow.

Integrative theories.

“…Outcome research on integration lagged behind the work that had been done on theory and practice initially (Glass, Arnkoff, & Rodriquez, 1998), but by the end of the 1990s, several evidence-based integrative treatments could be identified. International reports on integrative developments came in from around the world, such as the Netherlands (Trijsburg et al, 1998), South Africa (Eagle, 1998), Italy (Giusti, Montanari, & Montanarella, 1995), Spain (Caro, 1998), andArgentina (Fernández-Alvarez, 1992).…”

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Illness and Disability

“…Though it is a controversial topic (Caro 1998), some cognitive theorists have begun to consider issues of existence and meaning as potential complements to the cognitive behavioral therapy process (Moss 1992). Accordingly, narrative techniques have been recommended as a complementary therapeutic strategy to use in efforts to uncover issues of existence and meaning (Ramsay 1998).…”

Integrative approaches to psychotherapy.

“…Approximately 87% of counselors in the United Kingdom could be characterized as integrative (Hollanders & McLeod, 1999). Reporting from the Netherlands (Trijsburg, Colijn, Collumbien, & Lietaer, 1998), South Africa (Eagle, 1998), Italy (Carere-Comes, 1999Giusti, Montanari, & Montanarella, 1995), Germany (Christoph-Lemke, 1999), Spain (Caro, 1998), Argentina (Fernández-Alvarez, 1992, and Chile (Opazo, 1992(Opazo, , 1997, a number of professionals all described the involvement in integrative approaches in their countries.…”