What is Integrative
Psychotherapy ?

"When I am painting I have got space for myself, where I can be myself again, where I can search for myself…"

The word „integration“ comes from Latin (integer) and Greek (entagros = untouched, intact, whole) and means “(re-)establishing wholeness”.

Integrative psychotherapy (IT) is a quite new, in Austria officially acknowledged psychotherapeutical procedure, which focuses on the human as a “creative being”. IT wants to understand people in their social and economic context and perceives everybody as a body-soul-and spiritual being (Petzold).

One consequence of this point of view is that in integrative psychotherapy not only what weakens or sickens a person is of relevance, but also the essential resources of strength and happiness! Therefore creative and body work are also, besides dialogue, important tools in IT.

IT understands itself as a modern psychotherapy, combining approved concepts of different therapeutical schools (psychoanalysis, gestalttherapy, psychodrama…) with the latest findings in neuroscience.

Troubles and stress can come up at any age – but from IT´s point of view there is also a chance for improvement and health at every stage of life!

Further information about "Integrative Psychotherapy" you can find at: www.donau-uni.ac.at

Art Therapy is a method within integrative psychotherapy. Additionally, concepts of Gisela Schmeer (psychodynamic) and Lisa Niederreiter (art-theory) have influenced my work as well as gender issues and feminist theories.

Since I have been occupied with painting and sculpturing for many years and followed an additional 4 years training in Art Therapy, working with creative media has become an important resource in my occupation.

Working with colours, clay, collages, photos … etc. allows a spontaneous expression of experiences, wishes, feelings and ideas for the future. Language barriers cease to exist and the authenticity is strengthened.

I also include other media like music, movement, creative writing, role play, fairy tales, working with symbols – always according to the wishes and interests of my client.

Art therapy uses the creative process and the relationship between client and therapist as means to

• reflection on your development, personality, interests, fears and conflicts
• integration old and new experiences
• development resources and potentials

“Art therapy creates space for me – a space to think, a space to act, a space to play with emptiness and to discover richness in myself.”