[Eclectic, synthetic and integrative psychotherapy].

Abstract

Eclectic psychotherapy selects convenient techniques from various approaches. Synthetic psychotherapy combines various approaches both technically and theoretically. Integrative psychotherapy aims at putting diverse theoretical systems together under a system, which would be superordinated or metatheoretical. Following partial integrative hypotheses are stressed: 1. common factors are responsible for the effect of all important pure-form therapies, 2. different factors in diverse therapies have the same final effect, 3. different factors influence specifically certain symptoms, certain problems and certain patients. Following contemporary eclectic-integrative systems are seen as most influential: Lazarus's multimodal therapy. Beutler's systematic eclectic psychotherapy, Hart's functional eclectic therapy, Prochaska's transtheoretical approach, Garfield's eclectic approach, Driscoll's pragmatic therapy and Knobloch's integrated psychotherapy. Satisfactory integration still remains a goal to be achieved. Differentiation is viewed as an important part of the integration. It should offer to each patient specifically what he needs according to his symptoms, problems and personality.