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Integral psychotherapy – analysis of trends

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About the course

The specifics of diagnosis in various psychotherapy approaches – a course for psychologists and psychotherapists that shows how different therapeutic schools approach the diagnostic process. Participants will learn how CBT analyzes automatic thoughts, how systemic therapy examines family patterns, and how humanistic approaches focus on the client. The course also covers the latest trends in third-wave CBT with mindfulness techniques, an integrative approach combining different methods, and key ethical issues in diagnosis. Through practical examples and case studies, participants will gain the skills to adapt the diagnostic process to a specific therapeutic approach and learn an ethical approach to diagnosis in diverse cultural and social contexts.

Upon completion of the program, participants receive a personalized certificate and a descriptive supplement documenting the program's subject matter, learning outcomes achieved, and the number of hours of independent study completed by the participant. The supplement is prepared in accordance with European standards for the description of learning outcomes and contains information used in ECTS credit recognition procedures.

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What will you learn?

  • The course allows participants to explore various diagnostic perspectives in psychotherapy. Participants will learn about the specifics of particular approaches, from thought analysis in CBT, through a systemic understanding of family relationships, to a humanistic focus on the individual's experience. The course also covers contemporary third-wave CBT approaches and integrative methods. Particular emphasis is placed on the ethical dimensions of diagnosis, taking into account cultural context and professional standards. It is a comprehensive psychoeducation program that broadens the understanding of psychotherapeutic assessment and prepares participants to make an informed choice of psychotherapeutic path.

Course content

Module I Cognitive-behavioral approach
Diagnosis in psychotherapy is much more than just assigning a diagnostic label. It is a complex process of getting to know the client, understanding their difficulties, and planning effective help. Each psychotherapeutic approach has developed its own unique approach to this fundamental process. Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on identifying dysfunctional patterns of thinking and behavior. Humanistic approaches emphasize understanding the subjective experience of the individual. Systemic therapy examines family relationships and patterns. Contemporary third-wave CBT approaches integrate elements of mindfulness and acceptance. Each of these approaches brings a different perspective to the diagnostic process. Understanding these differences is crucial for anyone who works with people in difficult life situations. It allows for a conscious choice of the most appropriate approach for a specific client and a better understanding of the wealth of possibilities offered by contemporary psychotherapy. This knowledge broadens the horizons of thinking about human problems and ways of solving them.

  • Introduction to CBT
  • Basic theoretical assumptions
  • Research on mechanisms
  • Educational case description: Katarzyna's generalized anxiety disorder
  • Educational case description: Robert's episode of major depression
  • Educational case study: Julia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (teenager)
  • Educational case description: Adam's panic attacks with agoraphobia (young adult)
  • CBT glossary – file
  • A complete practical guide to the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy in anxiety disorders
  • CBT - Depression Guide
  • CBT-Depression Practice
  • The developmental specificity of CBT in the adolescent population
  • CBT in trauma and PTSD
  • CBT application in addiction treatment
  • Theoretical foundations of personality disorders in CBT
  • CBT—sleep disorders
  • CBT Therapeutic Resources.pdf
  • Examples of CBT tools
  • Mark TRUE or FALSE for each statement.

Module II Humanistic-existential trend
The humanistic-existential approach in psychotherapy is a response to the limitations of both psychoanalysis, which focuses on pathology and the determinism of the past, and behaviorism, which reduces humans to learning mechanisms. This approach focuses on the whole person, their potential for growth, freedom of choice, and the search for meaning and authenticity in life. The basic assumption of this approach is the belief in the natural tendency of humans to self-actualize and develop. Humanistic-existential therapists see mental problems not as illnesses to be cured, but as obstacles on the path to a fuller, more authentic life. Every person has innate wisdom and the ability to understand themselves and make healthy choices, provided that the right conditions are created. The therapeutic relationship in this approach is based on equality, authenticity, and unconditional acceptance. The therapist is not an expert who diagnoses and treats, but a companion on the client's journey toward better self-knowledge and the realization of their potential. Of key importance is the "meeting" of two people in the therapeutic space—a genuine, human encounter that has healing power in itself. This approach combines existential philosophy with humanistic psychology, focusing on the fundamental questions of human existence: who am I, what is the meaning of my life, how to deal with death, loneliness, freedom, and responsibility. This approach is particularly effective in working with existential crises, existential depression, and people seeking a deeper meaning in life.

Module III Systemic therapy (also known as family therapy)
Systemic therapy (also known as family or systemic therapy) represents a fundamental paradigm shift in psychology and psychotherapy, shifting the focus from the individual to the system of relationships in which they function. This revolutionary trend, which emerged in the 1950s, assumes that mental and emotional problems are not solely a matter of individual pathology, but result from dysfunctional patterns of interaction in social systems, primarily in the family. The basic assumption of systemic therapy is the belief that each person's behavior can only be understood in the context of the system in which they function. The family system is not simply the sum of its members, but a living, dynamic organism in which a change in one element affects all other parts. This perspective means that a symptom in one person can serve a specific function for the entire system, and its treatment requires intervention at the level of the entire system of relationships. Systemic therapy draws on general systems theory, cybernetics, communication theory, and cultural anthropology to create an interdisciplinary approach to understanding human functioning. Unlike traditional medical models, which look for the causes of problems within the individual, systemic therapy focuses on the patterns of interaction, communication, and organization of the system that sustain the problem.

Module IV Integration trend
The integrative approach in psychotherapy represents one of the most important and dynamically developing trends in contemporary therapeutic practice. It emerged as a response to the growing awareness of the limitations of individual theoretical approaches and the need to create more comprehensive and flexible therapeutic models that could better respond to the complexity of human experience and the diversity of clinical problems. Integrative psychotherapy is not a single, uniform approach, but rather a metaparadigm that encompasses a variety of ways of combining theories, techniques, and practices from different therapeutic schools. Its basic premise is the belief that no single therapeutic approach is sufficient to effectively treat all mental health problems in all clients. Instead, effective therapy requires a flexible, case-specific selection and combination of different therapeutic elements. The integrative movement emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, when therapists and researchers began to recognize that dogmatic adherence to single theoretical orientations could limit the effectiveness of treatment. Clinical observations showed that experienced therapists, regardless of their declared theoretical orientation, often spontaneously combine elements from different approaches, tailoring their interventions to the specific needs of their clients. Contemporary integrative psychotherapy is based on three main pillars: theoretical integration (combining different theories into a coherent model), technical eclecticism (consciously selecting the most effective techniques from different approaches), and common factors (identifying universal elements of effective therapy that are present in all effective approaches).

Module V "The Third Wave" of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
The "third wave" of cognitive-behavioral therapy represents an evolutionary development within the cognitive-behavioral tradition that emerged in the 1990s and 2000s as a response to the limitations of traditional CBT approaches. Unlike the first wave (behaviorism) and the second wave (cognitive revolution), the third wave is characterized by a shift in focus from directly changing thoughts and behaviors to transforming the individual's relationship with their own mental processes, emotions, and internal states. The fundamental difference between traditional CBT and third wave approaches is the way they work with thoughts and emotions. While classical CBT focuses on identifying and modifying dysfunctional cognitive and behavioral patterns, the new trends emphasize acceptance, mindfulness, and changing the way one responds to difficult psychological content. Instead of eliminating unwanted thoughts or feelings, third wave therapies teach how to function with them in a more adaptive way. These innovative approaches integrate elements from various philosophical and spiritual traditions, particularly Buddhism and mindfulness practices, with the empirical methods of contemporary psychology. This synthesis creates therapeutic methods that are both deeply rooted in science and open to the wisdom of traditional meditation practices. Major representations of this wave include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).

Module VI Psychodynamic Approach
The psychodynamic approach is one of the fundamental approaches in contemporary psychotherapy, and its significance extends far beyond the framework of a specific school or technique. It is a way of understanding human mental functioning that focuses on internal mental processes, their development over time, and the influence of interpersonal relationships on the formation of personality and ways of coping with experience. The psychodynamic perspective assumes that human behavior, emotional experiences, and difficulties are not solely the result of current circumstances, but remain linked to previous experiences, unconscious conflicts, and established relationship patterns. Unlike approaches focused on quick problem solving or behavior modification, the psychodynamic approach emphasizes understanding the sources of difficulties and their significance in the individual's mental life. Symptoms are not treated as accidental or purely dysfunctional phenomena, but as signals of internal processes that serve a specific adaptive function. This approach leads to a more complex perception of psychological difficulties, taking into account both the intrapsychic and relational dimensions. An important element of psychodynamic thinking is the belief in the continuity of mental experience. Experiences from the early stages of life, especially those related to relationships with caregivers, have a lasting impact on how we perceive ourselves, other people, and the world. These patterns are not always accessible to consciousness, but they reveal themselves in emotions, interpersonal reactions, and the therapeutic relationship. For this reason, the psychodynamic approach attaches great importance to the analysis of relationships as a space in which earlier experiences and unconscious patterns are actualized. Contemporary psychodynamic psychotherapy is not a uniform system, but encompasses a wide spectrum of approaches and concepts that share a common logic of understanding human beings. It includes both classical approaches derived from psychoanalysis and modern relational, attachment, and mentalization-based approaches. The common denominator remains an interest in the psychological process, the importance of relationships, and the role of reflection and insight in psychological change. The inclusion of the psychodynamic approach in the program preparing participants to choose a psychotherapeutic approach is intended to familiarize them with this way of thinking, rather than to prepare them to conduct therapy independently. This module allows participants to understand the basic assumptions, language, and perspective of the psychodynamic approach, as well as to consciously assess the extent to which this way of working corresponds to their individual predispositions, sensitivities, and further development plans. Thanks to this, the psychodynamic approach can be seen not as a set of techniques, but as a coherent concept for understanding the human psyche and the process of change.

Module VII TSR (Solution Focused Therapy)

Module VIII RECOMMENDED BOOKS
This set of books complements the curriculum and allows for the deepening of knowledge in the field of specific psychotherapeutic orientations. The titles presented have been selected for their substantive significance and usefulness in professional practice. Each psychotherapy approach requires a thorough understanding of its theoretical philosophical foundations and methodological assumptions. Studying these books allows for the expansion of the competencies necessary for the professional development of future specialists in the field of psychotherapy.

COMPLETION – Certification
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the rich and multidimensional world of contemporary psychotherapy. Learning about various theoretical and methodological orientations is not only intended to deepen academic knowledge, but above all to prepare future specialists to consciously and responsibly fulfill the role of a therapist. Each of the psychotherapeutic approaches discussed brings a unique understanding of human suffering and the possibilities for overcoming it. The diversity of approaches should not be seen as theoretical chaos, but as a testament to the complexity of human nature and the multitude of paths leading to healing. A therapist who understands this diversity has a broader spectrum of therapeutic possibilities and a deeper sensitivity to the individual needs of their clients. Professionalism in psychotherapy requires not only technical competence, but also continuous personal development and ethical reflection. Each of the orientations presented emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship as the foundation of the process of change. Regardless of the theoretical approach chosen, it is the quality of the encounter between therapist and client that determines the effectiveness of the intervention. Psychotherapy remains both an art and a science: a science in its methods and empirical research, and an art in the way it relates to another person in their most sensitive moments.

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