Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionTypesTechniquesUsesBenefitsEffectivenessThings You Should Know About Eclectic TherapyHow to Get Started

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Definition

Types

Techniques

Uses

Benefits

Effectiveness

Things You Should Know About Eclectic Therapy

How to Get Started

What Is Eclectic Therapy?

Eclectic therapy is an approach that draws on multiple theoretical orientations and techniques. It is a flexible and multifaceted approach to therapy that allows the therapist to use the most effective methods available to address eachindividual client’s needs. It is also sometimes referred to as multi-modal or integrative therapy.

In the early part of the 20th century, many therapists rigidly adhered to a single style of treatment. Over the last decade, more therapists started to draw ideas from differenttherapeutic approaches.

Research suggests that most psychotherapists today take an eclectic or integrative approach. One survey of professionals found that only 15% used a single theoretical model and that the median number of orientations used in practice was four.

Types of Eclectic Therapy

A number of specific types of eclectic therapy have also emerged. In each case, these approaches draw from a range of techniques in order to address the unique needs of the individual. Some of these types include:

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While eclectic therapy is flexible, therapists carefully create an intentional, individual plan for each client based on that person’s unique needs. Theoretical approaches that an eclectic therapist might draw on include:

A therapist will also choose specific techniques from within that theoretical approach. Some examples of such techniques includeexposure therapy, sensory therapy, relaxation therapy,acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), andmindfulness.

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What Eclectic Therapy Can Help With

Eclectic therapy can be utilized to help people with a wide range of needs. Some conditions and problems it can successfully treat include:

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Benefits of Eclectic Therapy

Eclectic therapy can have a number of important benefits. These include:

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Research suggests that eclectic therapy can be both a safe and effective treatment:

While eclectic therapy can be effective, there are some potential downsides to consider. Some issues you might encounter during eclectic therapy include:

If you are interested in trying eclectic therapy, consider asking your doctor for a referral or look at an online therapist directory. Eclectic therapists often refer to themselves as integrative therapists or multi-modal therapists, so you might consider searching for those or similar terms. You might also consider online therapy as an option.

During your first appointment, your therapist will ask you questions to help get to know you and understand your goals. This initial discussion might involve talking about your background, work, personal life, support system, and current life satisfaction.

As you build a therapeutic relationship, you can then delve deeper toward making goals and deciding which techniques might be the most effective for what you want to accomplish. Because eclectic therapy is adaptable, these goals and strategies can change when needed.

4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tasca GA, Sylvestre J, Balfour L, et al.What clinicians want: Findings from a psychotherapy practice research network survey.Psychotherapy (Chic). 2015;52(1):1-11. doi:10.1037/a0038252Camposano L.The Professional Counselor: Silent Suffering - Children with Selective Mutism; 2011.Gersons BP, Schnyder U.Learning from traumatic experiences with brief eclectic psychotherapy for PTSD.Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2013;20:4. doi:10.3402/ejpt.v4i0.21369Ahmadi A, Mustaffa MS, Haghdoost AA, Mansor SMS.Eclectic approach to anxiety disorders among rural children.Trends Psychiatry Psychother. 2017;39(2):88-97. doi:10.1590/2237-6089-2016-0047

4 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tasca GA, Sylvestre J, Balfour L, et al.What clinicians want: Findings from a psychotherapy practice research network survey.Psychotherapy (Chic). 2015;52(1):1-11. doi:10.1037/a0038252Camposano L.The Professional Counselor: Silent Suffering - Children with Selective Mutism; 2011.Gersons BP, Schnyder U.Learning from traumatic experiences with brief eclectic psychotherapy for PTSD.Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2013;20:4. doi:10.3402/ejpt.v4i0.21369Ahmadi A, Mustaffa MS, Haghdoost AA, Mansor SMS.Eclectic approach to anxiety disorders among rural children.Trends Psychiatry Psychother. 2017;39(2):88-97. doi:10.1590/2237-6089-2016-0047

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Tasca GA, Sylvestre J, Balfour L, et al.What clinicians want: Findings from a psychotherapy practice research network survey.Psychotherapy (Chic). 2015;52(1):1-11. doi:10.1037/a0038252Camposano L.The Professional Counselor: Silent Suffering - Children with Selective Mutism; 2011.Gersons BP, Schnyder U.Learning from traumatic experiences with brief eclectic psychotherapy for PTSD.Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2013;20:4. doi:10.3402/ejpt.v4i0.21369Ahmadi A, Mustaffa MS, Haghdoost AA, Mansor SMS.Eclectic approach to anxiety disorders among rural children.Trends Psychiatry Psychother. 2017;39(2):88-97. doi:10.1590/2237-6089-2016-0047

Tasca GA, Sylvestre J, Balfour L, et al.What clinicians want: Findings from a psychotherapy practice research network survey.Psychotherapy (Chic). 2015;52(1):1-11. doi:10.1037/a0038252

Camposano L.The Professional Counselor: Silent Suffering - Children with Selective Mutism; 2011.

Gersons BP, Schnyder U.Learning from traumatic experiences with brief eclectic psychotherapy for PTSD.Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2013;20:4. doi:10.3402/ejpt.v4i0.21369

Ahmadi A, Mustaffa MS, Haghdoost AA, Mansor SMS.Eclectic approach to anxiety disorders among rural children.Trends Psychiatry Psychother. 2017;39(2):88-97. doi:10.1590/2237-6089-2016-0047

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