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Integrative therapy session Melbourne

Psychotherapy in Melbourne

We offer integrative psychotherapy in Melbourne to diverse members of the community, experiencing a range of psychological and relational issues.

 

You may be seeking integrative therapy for help with stress, overwhelming emotions, distressing thoughts, or issues in your interpersonal relationships.

Psychotherapy Melbourne session

What is Integrative Psychotherapy?

Integrative psychotherapy is founded upon the idea that all therapeutic models are metaphors for different kinds of minds. Following the belief that “the map is not the territory”, integrative therapists aim to find the right map (therapeutic approach) for the right territory (person).

Integrative therapy is a special form of talk therapy. Mental health professionals bring together the best therapeutic approaches to address specific concerns, dreams and goals.

Diverse Training and Tailored Treatment Plans

Integrative psychotherapists are trained in many modalities both formally and informally, including CBT, ACT, The Gottman Method, Psychodynamic Therapy and schema therapy.

Our psychotherapists have the distinctive ability to incorporate common features of different integrative approaches in a cohesive treatment plan. This offers therapeutic services that can address several concerns and goals.

A Client-Centered Approach to Therapy

Whilst an integrative approach offers many interventions and strategies to help people move through psychological problems, nothing is more important to an integrative therapist than a supportive and empathetic relationship.

Our therapists' priority is that you feel safe and understood. They achieve this by following your pace, taking the time to understand you and inviting any feedback you may have.

This therapeutic stance is akin to “client-centered therapy”, an integrative approach developed by psychotherapist Carl Rogers in the 60s. In this single approach, the client is the ultimate authority of their experience and reflections. Intuition and self-knowledge are the guiding factors of therapy.

A Developmental Approach to Therapy

We follow a developmental approach to understanding people which honours that everyone develops in a specific developmental context, a particular socioeconomic environment and are born with specific temperaments.

About Our Psychotherapists

Our psychotherapists are trained in a range of therapeutic modalities and follow the ethos that each individual is special and unique. We need a wealth of knowledge and approaches to meet each individual's needs. At The Spring Clinic in Melbourne, we have​ therapists available for an appointment to begin speaking about the challenges that most concern you and begin providing support.

Accredited and Registered Therapists

Our therapists study at a minimum of a Bachelor's and Post-graduate level, focusing on practical theoretical and clinical knowledge, preparing them to work with clients. They are registered with the Australian Counselling Association of Australia (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), which necessitates checks on professional integrity, criminal records and rights to work for children. This membership necessitates a commitment to ongoing learning and regular clinical supervision throughout their career.

Authentic and Honest Therapeutic Relationships

Our integrative therapists take your guidance to direct the therapeutic session, making sure that you are able to share and be supported in what feels relevant and important in your life. Taking a client-centred approach means empathising with and validating the experience of clients and offering specific therapeutic techniques for ways of thinking. Confronting unseen, unacknowledged and difficult parts of ourselves in integrative therapy is fundamental to the growth necessary to make valuable changes.

Our Therapists Gain In-Depth Understanding

Our clinicians take the time to understand a given client in depth through intake sessions, prior to drawing any conclusions about who you are or what might be therapeutically helpful for your health. This understanding is imperative for positive outcomes of integrative therapy.

Psychotherapy Support Areas

Our team offers integrative therapy services to support the alleviation of mental health conditions and personal concerns.
Anxiety

Anxiety can be understood as “fear without an object”. Sufferers of this condition experience significant psychological and physical distress. For generalised anxiety or panic disorders, clients may find they experience nerves in different settings and contexts with no apparent source. In other cases, such as attachment or social anxiety disorder, one may find there is a link between anxiety and interpersonal triggers. The Spring Clinic's integrative therapists will understand your experiences and recommend appropriate techniques. Our therapies and treatments include CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mentalisation Based Therapy and Attachment repair. 

Depression

Many people may experience periods of depression following losses, changes, challenges and transitions, whilst for some people, depression may be a cyclic or consistent experience. Depression is characterised by feelings of flatness, a lack of motivation or interest, lethargy and self-criticism. It has debilitating effects on the feeling of value and meaning one derives towards life, other people and themselves.

An integrative therapy approach addresses depression through understanding the development context which may make one vulnerable to challenges with self-esteem, grief and unexpressed emotions. The work then focuses on identifying the difficulties and maintaining factors that cause or trigger feelings of sadness, hopelessness or a lack of self-worth.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder has historically been associated with anxiety. Whilst it is now recognised as its own diagnosis, it can be understood as an extension of the ruminative thinking in anxiety whereby individuals also experience the impulse to complete certain kinds of actions or behaviours to alleviate fears.

OCD encompasses conditions including trichotillomania (pulling of one's hair), scrupulosity (religious fanaticism), body dysmorphic disorder (checking of one's body image) or excoriation disorder (skin picking). An individual's obsessions or intrusive thoughts can commonly fit into one of five categories.

 

  1. Fear of harm to loved ones

  2. Religion or morality

  3. Order and symmetry

  4. Concerns with doubt and incompleteness

  5. Germs and contamination


Obsessive Compulsive Disorder often leads to significant distress for individuals, and challenges in relationships, workplaces and daily living. If you have a diagnosis of OCD or believe it might be relevant, our psychotherapists can support you in understanding, managing and easing obsessional thoughts and actions.

Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Trauma refers to experiences that overwhelm one's sense of personal safety, either physically and/or emotionally. Trauma may occur in early development or adulthood through abuse or harm, or more chronic and subtle injuries to one's sense of self.

Trauma may also refer to one-off incidents such as accidents, illnesses or sudden losses. These experiences may leave people feeling confused, distressed and fearful. Symptoms include loss of appetite, motivation, interest, self-esteem or meaning. PTSD is a diagnostic term that refers to these signs following a traumatic experience.

Symptoms and challenges resulting from trauma can be resolved through a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship which can offer the tools to manage and reduce these side effects. Members of the team at The Spring Clinic have specialised training in working with both acute and complex trauma.

Complex PTSD

Complex PTSD often develops when individuals are exposed to recurrent, prolonged, and chronic trauma, such as childhood abuse, living in a long-term war zone, or being exposed to domestic violence. Symptoms of complex PTSD include those of traditional PTSD, such as flashbacks and avoidant behaviour, along with several other symptoms listed below:

  • Difficulty regulating emotions.

  • Having a very negative and limiting self-image.

  • Challenges in forming healthy relationships with others, often due to a lack of trust in them.

These experiences naturally are very distressing for the individual and can be debilitating. Psychotherapy, either with a psychologist or psychotherapist, is one of the first lines of treatment for this mental health condition. Psychotherapy for complex PTSD can involve the following processes:

  • Helping the individual recognise the abuse, life stressor, or trauma that lead to the development of their complex PTSD.

  • Psychoeducation around the body’s survival mechanisms that, whilst in the face of danger are often very adaptive, can potentially become maladaptive when we are out of harm's way.

  • Exploring paths of healing and new ways of relating with self and others.

  • Developing a deep, robust sense of self-compassion and understanding of oneself.

  • Learning how to regulate the nervous system.

 

The beauty of psychotherapy is that the client holds authority over their experience and what does and does not work for the therapeutic framework. The therapist is a guide who supports the individual’s own healing process, which necessarily comes from within. This client-centred approach is especially helpful for those with complex PTSD, as it allows them an agency in their healing, which they did not have in their harming.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder can be broadly defined as a mental health condition that involves a cycling between very high and low moods that causes significant distress and impaired function. There are three types of Bipolar disorder: Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymic disorder.

Bipolar I

Bipolar I is diagnosed when an individual experiences a pattern of manic episodes, which are characterised as high levels of elation, irritability, and energetic behaviour, that last for at least seven days. The individual also experiences episodes of depression, where they have very low energy and mood, which last around two weeks.

Bipolar II

Bipolar II is characterised by a pattern of less severe manic episodes, known as hypomanic episodes, as well as depressive episodes, which are quite severe.

Cyclothymic disorder

Cyclothymic disorder is defined as a recurrent pattern of shifts in mood between mania and depression, that do not meet the criteria for a manic or depressive episode.​

This cycling between extreme high and low moods which is the basis of Bipolar disorders can be exhausting, debilitating, result in hospitalisation, and negatively impact multiple domains of the individual's life, such as social, occupational, and familial.

Psychotherapy can provide a safe and nurturing place for individuals to explore their experience of Bipolar disorders; develop an understanding around why they might get the symptoms they do; how they can work on healing core wounds that may be the igniting forces for these symptoms; and develop stronger, healthier relationships with self and others. This process of healing is done through a lens of self-compassion and non-judgement, which is essential when delving into the psyche and exploring the way we experience our mind.

We also treat and support:
  • Bipolar Disorder

  • Grief and Loss

  • Personality Disorders

  • Substance dependence

  • Eating Disorders

  • Stress Management

  • Self Development

  • LGBTQIA+ Mental Health

Therapeutic Approaches We Draw On

Psychodynamic Therapy

Based on the understanding that our minds develop through the most important relationships in our lives, Psychodynamic therapy supports you in understanding how the past influences the present, to liberate you from chronic and unhelpful patterns of thinking, behaving and relating.

Attachment Theory

Attachment theory suggests that the bond between an infant and their primary caregivers becomes the blueprint for future relationships. When individuals experience repeated, maladaptive patterns in their intimate relationships, attachment repair may be therapeutically supportive.

Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy

When individuals have experienced adversity, it is important they get the right support to deal with the physiological, psychological and emotional legacy of trauma. Our therapists offer a safe environment to gain the necessary skills and insights for your healing.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

ACT draws on mindfulness and the belief that ‘we are more than our thoughts’. This empowering model can help you let go of ruminative thoughts and make action-orientated decisions. ACT is an evidence-based approach to treating OCD, anxiety and depression.

Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy

CBT is a practical approach to support individuals in changing unwanted, unhelpful behaviours through becoming aware of and changing their thoughts. This model offers structured approaches to treatment and through exercises and worksheets provides tools with tools they can begin using today.

Mentalisation-Based Therapy

Through a reflective process between client and therapist, mentalisation supports clients in understanding their minds in a supportive and curious environment. Collaboratively, client and therapist make meaning of their own and other’s feelings and behaviors. Valuable for all individuals and particularly those with personality disorders.

Systemic Approaches

Whether utilising a psychobiological or family systems approach, our therapists seek to understand the context in which you developed and live. Therapeutically understanding the cultural, social and political environment, can support clients in gaining liberation from oppressive forces and live more authentically.

Parts Work

A range of models capture the idea that our minds are composed of different ‘parts’ or ‘functions’. Therapist may draw on Gestalt therapy or Internal Family Systems, to assist clients in becoming aware and understanding the origins of the co-inhabiting and sometimes competing parts of their mind.

Existentialism

Existentialism is a philosophical  approach, which reflects on the universal givens of life. Death, freedom, isolation and meaninglessness are invited as topics for contemplation; leading to individuals gaining a greater sense of personal meaning and purpose in life. Helpful for those experiencing transition, grief and loss.

(Hover to Learn More)

  • What Is Psychotherapy vs Psychology?
    Psychotherapists and psychologists have distinct training paths. Psychologists typically complete undergraduate and postgraduate studies, which generally emphasize ethics in practice, the study of human behaviour, and research. Their clinical training includes manualised and evidence-based treatments like CBT, ACT, and Schema Therapy. On the other hand, psychotherapists undergo undergraduate and sometimes postgraduate training, with a focus on human development, clinical skills, and tools for case conceptualisation. Psychotherapy is characterised by a developmental approach to understanding minds, rigorous case conceptualisation, and active interventions during therapy. Integrative psychotherapists incorporate both evidence-based and non-measurable research-tested approaches. This includes using the therapeutic relationship as a source of healing.
  • How Does Psychotherapy Help Me?
    Our psychotherapy services provide a transformative experience, where you'll receive support to delve deeper into self-understanding and acquire the skills and tools necessary to restore your psychological well-being. Psychotherapy is an immersive and engaging journey of growth and transformation, guided by a genuine and authentic relationship with a compassionate, perceptive, and inquisitive therapist.
  • How Many Psychotherapy Sessions Should I Go To?
    Your psychotherapist will discuss the expected length of treatment following your intake appointments, although a greater frequency leads to greater results, faster. Research shows that more individual sessions closer together led to more efficient results than therapy spaced out over weeks. New clients are seen weekly or fortnightly at a minimum, as integrative therapy is a learning process that necessitates consistency and repetition (just think about all that happens in your life in a given week!). More chronic psychological challenges usually necessitate long-term therapy (6 months to a year +), otherwise more specific and recent concerns might be resolved through a short-term treatment model (6-10 appointments).
  • How to Find a Therapist in Melbourne for Psychotherapy?
    We have a compassionate, caring and curious team of psychotherapists at The Spring Clinic, Melbourne. You can review the profiles of our therapists online or call our lovely receptionist Charity on (03) 7035 9031 for a free consultation call to discuss which therapist would best suit you. Our therapists have multiple degrees from institutions including Melbourne University, The Ikon Institute, Sydney University and Monash University in Australia; and are certified by the governing bodies of the ACA or PACFA. Once the right therapist is found, you can book in for an intake session which provides the space for you and your therapist to get to know each other. Normally, there are 2-3 intake sessions which are more interview based than psychotherapy sessions, which usually offer some emotional relief or insight prior to therapeutic treatment. After these meetings, you and your clinician will find a collaborative agreement about treatment and begin working together to meet your aspirations.
  • What Should I Expect From Spring Clinic Psychotherapy Services in Melbourne?
    The Spring Clinic located in Melbourne offers mental health support services from professional and registered psychotherapists. Expect warm, friendly and compassionate encounters, from the first moment of contact with our lovely receptionist Charity to your therapeutic treatment with your specific psychotherapist. Your psychotherapist will be a respectful and kind person, who is sensitive to the experience of sexual, gendered, cultural and socioeconomic marginalisation. Our clinic is quiet, inviting and relaxing – as we believe our clients should feel that The Spring Clinic is a nice place to visit. Your information will be protected by confidentiality agreements and your therapist will always follow the codes of conduct outlined by their governing bodies.
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Meet our Team

We have a caring and professional team of therapists, each with special skills and interests.

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