Psychotherapy integration: An idea whose time has come

Growing numbers of clinicians and researchers from the major therapeutic orientations have begun to demonstrate an open attitude toward potential contributions of other approaches. Efforts at rapprochement and integration sharply contrast with the acrimonious debates that prevailed in the field a few decades ago. These efforts represent much needed attempts to better understand psychotherapy and to improve its effectiveness. In this article, the factors that have contributed to the emergence and development of psychotherapy integration are described, including the inadequacies of predominant models, limited effectiveness of existing treatments, and external pressures for the accountability of psychotherapy. Also reviewed are core issues within the integration movement itself, such as the search for theoretical integration, elaboration of eclectic therapies, identification of conceptual convergence and common factors, development of integrative approaches for particular clinical problems, and improvement in major orientations as a result of transtheoretical dialogue. Finally, several unresolved issues and unanswered questions facing psychotherapy integration are described, as they suggest future directions for the development of this movement.