The word “integral” may be used in a number of different ways. In describing my practice as integral I am drawing on general meanings – integrating diverse points of view, oriented towards wholeness – as well as referring to an emerging perspective known as integral psychology.
We grow and evolve
In the framework of integral psychology, we acknowledge that as human beings we naturally develop and evolve from infancy through our entire adult life, moving through numerous well-researched stages of development as our sense of self (our self-image, how we identify ourselves) and our view of the world expand and deepen. Navigating these stages can be challenging, especially as we find ourselves having to question and let go of old ways of defining ourselves in the world before we have a firm sense of “what’s next.” It’s a bit like having to let go of the trapeze bar we’re holding on to and being in midair for a few moments before catching hold of the next bar – except in life, this midair feeling can last for a lot more than a few moments! When we are aware of this unfolding process, even if at the moment we are not experiencing this kind of deep change, we understand that change is always in process.
We are each unique and grow in uneven ways, with some of our capacities and intelligences (cognitive, musical, moral, emotional etc.) evolving more fully than others; recognizing this, we can better understand our individual gifts and challenges. It’s also useful to recognize that all of the levels of development we have grown through are still part of us – part of our repertoire, sometimes exerting a pull back to younger parts of ourselves that still need attention. Integral counseling recognizes the importance of giving consideration to all the levels that exist within us, as well as to the possibilities that have not yet emerged but seem to pull us forward into being more, as if there is a magnetic force in human evolution that calls us to be more than we are at the moment.
We experience reality in a variety of ways
Integral also refers to the recognition of different experiences of reality (sometimes called states of consciousness.) We have experiences of ordinary everyday reality, of course, but also the reality of the dream world, as well as experiences that are not considered ordinary in our culture but which give us glimpses of something beyond our normal waking consciousness. These are often profoundly moving and open us to new possibilities; according to numerous research surveys, a lot of people have what they call mystical or spiritual experiences which can change their view of reality and their lives. Whether they are small moments of wonder and revelation or big openings, these kinds of experiences are an important part of our lives and deserve our careful attention; if we overlook or minimize them, we may be missing a valuable gift. Sometimes we need help in integrating these glimpses into our sense of self and our worldview because they can be disorienting and overwhelming. One way of synthesizing these various perspectives is to say that working integrally implies the inclusion of body, mind, heart, soul, and spirit.
We each have a personality style
Another aspect of the integral perspective is the recognition that we each have a personality style, which is our way of paying attention to life, making sense, defining ourselves, and growing. There are various systems for understanding personality patterns; I like to work with the Enneagram, an intriguing and well-respected approach which is a helpful tool for learning to see ourselves and our relationships more clearly, in terms of both challenges and strengths. The Enneagram is sometimes presented as a system of personality types, but it also has many additional layers of subtlety, including an approach to deep spiritual development. Some useful websites for information: Enneagram Institute and Enneagram Worldwide.
We live in a world of different perspectives
Finally, Integral refers to the understanding that we need to pay attention to more than just our internal subjective experience (where much of psychology focuses), because, simply put, there is more going on and everything influences everything else! Both self and world matter. Alongside our thoughts and feelings and body sensations there is the actual condition of our bodies and our behavior – in other words, the more objective aspects of ourselves. What do other people see when they look at how we act in the world, for instance – do our actions line up with what we most value? How can we address this gap? And then there is our experience in our relationships and communities: what is meaningful and fulfilling in this arena, and what do we feel is missing or somehow falling short? Finally, how are we participating in the various systems of which we are a part – from our families to the political and economic systems of our cities, regions, country, and world; from our neighborhood networks to the regional and planetary ecosystems to which we belong? We are an integral part of local and global realities, and in our times I believe we cannot afford to ignore these dimensions of our lives.
While keeping these various aspects in mind may sound overwhelming, in practice this has a way of presenting itself quite naturally. One area of focus or one problem opens into a wider or deeper territory and invites exploration from several perspectives. It is a matter of ongoing inquiry, following the clues that present themselves – like following a breadcrumb trail! – allowing ourselves to trust the process and becoming more and more aware in that process.
How we might work together
Individualized approaches
In
this work everyone is unique, so it is important to be flexible and choose approaches that feel right for each individual client. My general orientation tends to be experiential – inquiring into direct, present-moment experience (the “power of now,” in Eckhart Tolle’s
words) - but I draw on a variety of approaches that help clients to shift habitual patterns and open to new possibilities. For instance, we may spend time talking, exploring memories, beliefs, and important questions. I may also draw attention to what the client is experiencing
in his or her body as we speak. We may work with the imaginal realm through dreams or crayon drawings, or other forms of creative expression. I may ask a client to role play different parts of her/himself, such as the Protector, Inner Critic, Rebel, Vulnerable Child, or Observer. These dialogues among various aspects of the self can be very valuable in clarifying old patterns and current challenges. Learning to observe and be present with these patterns of self-talk and behavior can be a significant first step towards change. This is
mindfulness-based work, in which we learn to observe and make room for our thoughts, emotions, and body sensations in a spacious and compassionate way - sometimes referred to as "expanding the window of tolerance." The fruits of mindfulness include less reactivity and distress, along with more equanimity and insight into the workings of our own minds. Ultimately it is possible to "disidentify" from the self-image (ego) and the stories we unconsciously tell ourselves that actually perpetuate our suffering and make our relationships difficult.
I may encourage a client to do some reading or journaling between sessions, or teach relaxation and meditation techniques to reduce stress and also open to deeper layers of themselves. Sometimes it is appropriate to support a client in designing a ritual to mark a particular transition or loss - for instance, a simple, symbolic way of releasing something that is holding
us back while also honoring the past.
Learning to "be with" difficult feelings
Most human beings want to move toward what feels good and move away from what is unpleasant or uncomfortable. One of the most valuable things we can do is develop the ability to meet and sit with our painful emotions, such as grief, fear, and despair. Our experience of pain is, amazingly enough, transformed to the degree that we can be with it, bring our attention to the dark and listen for its gifts. Although it may not seem obvious, there is treasure to be mined here! I find that having a counselor who can be present and help guide this process makes a significant difference for a client who fears this journey of descent. As we explore these unknown
territories within ourselves, there is less of ourselves that we have to shut away, and less energy that has to go towards this defensive practice of closing-off and running-from. We become more open, more available for living and loving, more able to rest in an ease of being – more able to respond appropriately in the midst of our turbulent times.
Learning to live more fully and authentically
Attention is given to personal relationships, work, life style, creativity, and relationship with nature. The counseling process may include practical dimensions such as clarifying what is most important, assessing the compromises that are being made between one’s
values and one’s actions, and developing strategies for aligning oneself more fully with one’s values and sense of purpose. In my experience most people want to live more authentic lives and contribute their gifts to the world in some way.
The interplay of psychological and spiritual perspectives
The psychological and spiritual aspects of integral counseling tend to be interwoven; even if a client is not explicitly interested in spirituality, we are all drawn towards growth and finding meaning in our lives. (Spirituality in the simplest sense has to do with what has ultimate meaning for us.) A simple, but powerful practice is known as self-inquiry — asking ourselves on deeper and deeper levels such questions as Who is it who is experiencing this? Who am I, really? and "What do I really want? This exploration is not about coming up with an answer, but about stopping to question the taken-for-granted me who is at the center of most of our life dramas. Self-inquiry may lead into the mystery of not-knowing and the spaciousness of silence.
Some clients find themselves confused and concerned in response to unusual experiences – states of consciousness – such as near-death experiences, unfamiliar energetic feelings, or other kinds of spiritual openings. These fall under the heading of spiritual emergencies, and clients find it very helpful to work with a counselor who can offer information as well as a context of understanding and practical support for this unfolding process.
Integral counseling is a way of working that is both broad and deep, inclusive and profound. The perspective itself continues to evolve and unfold new possibilities, as we all do. There are some specific therapeutic approaches that are important to my work: EMDR, Brainspotting, Energy Psychology, and Transpersonal Hypnotherapy. These will be briefly described on the page titled Experiential Tools.