This article presents a case study conducted in accordance with the principles of integrative psychotherapy. The study addresses the physical and psychological difficulties experienced by a 36-year-old female client who lost both her father and her older sister to cancer within the same year. Over the course of two years of therapy, full-contact, relationship-oriented, and developmentally based interventions were utilized. The case study focuses particularly on the concepts of grief, the body, and script. Throughout the process, inquiry, attunement, and involvement-methods that facilitate contact-were employed, resulting in a strong healing effect on the client's script beliefs. The study also details the dynamics of transference and countertransference within the therapeutic process. This case study is written for the attention of professionals working in the field of integrative psychotherapy.
This is an expanded version of the keynote speech John Hallett gave at the International Integrative Psychotherapy Association's 2025 conference in Ljubljana, Slovenia. In this keynote, Hallett shares the experiences and learnings that have shaped him as a psychotherapist. He starts with the influence of his parents and follows with significant occurrences in his life that were pivotal for his development as a person and an integrative psychotherapist.
Complex trauma has unique impacts on survivors, distinct from what is commonly seen in postadditional diagnostic criteria beyond what is seen in PTSD and has further implications for impacts to the physical self. This study uses secondary data analysis to further increase awareness of the physiological symptom presentation of C-PTSD. The parent study was a mixed-methods, scale development study completed by the first author with support from the second author. The parent study conducted qualitative interviews to generate items for a scale to measure C-PTSD symptoms. The resulting scale then went under psychometric testing to analyze reliability and validity of the scale. During this parent study, it became apparent that physiological symptoms of trauma were heavily prevalent within both the interview and psychometric testing samples. The current study reviews descriptive data from the parent study to show physical symptoms as a result of complex trauma are as equally present as other diagnostic criteria in a sample of 187 individuals who completed a survey exploring symptoms. The current study also analyzes interview data from the parent study using a phenomenological approach to gain deeper understanding of physical symptoms. Themes identified in the qualitative analysis include elevated stress response, pain, disconnection, and disregard for the physical self. Results of this study highlight the importance of integrating the presence of physiological symptoms into therapeutic approaches to ensure best clinical practice.
This clinical case study condenses knowledge from 30 years of working in the world of addictions as an integrative psychotherapist. The theory (the map) is not the territory. By using relational methods, we can transcend the label of "addict" and get to know the human being behind it; this facilitates bond development and internal contact. The client recognizes himself, and is reintegrated, in the mirror that the therapist offers. The relational failures, especially early ones, that have been experienced by the client shape internal processes and the client's relationship with the outside world. The substance takes on a stabilizing and regulating function in the face of emotional pain. A secure psychotherapeutic relationship is required to achieve this same stability and regulation. A conscious and nonreactive countertransference is crucial, as is the managing of the shadows, prejudices, fantasies, and internalized models of help. This way the client can show his vulnerability, have a true and reparative encounter, and overcome his addiction-his life script.
This keynote was chosen because there is a paucity of literature on the topic of humor use in therapy. The presentation identifies humor as a therapeutic skill and provides the reader with some ideas around competence and incompetent use in therapy. When humor is used purposefully, it enhances connection, but when used without thought, it can create distance and confusion.
