Integrative therapy is based on different schools of thought. Psychology has many different branches and methods this is where integrative therapy comes in. it's essentially adapting to what each client needs — based on what works for them. It aims to consider an individual’s mental, physical, and emotional health as a whole.
A strong therapeutic alliance is at the core of integrative therapy and its effectiveness.Mixing and several schools of thought and making sure the clients has a say on the treatment they are receiving.
There's so many ways of doing therapy:
An integrative therapist may introduce strategies and techniques from cognitive-behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, EMDR, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, art or music therapy, psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, psychodrama, meditation, breathwork, yoga, family systems therapy, gestalt therapy, or trauma-informed approaches.
Considering individual needs is vital:
The reason this is needed is because trauma is processed differently. People are influenced by culture, environment, family dynamics, social standing, and economic background.
Therefore, telling someone to “breathe in and put themselves first” can be a poor script for someone who grew up in a household of abuse and scarcity. Putting themselves first will look different for them.Breathwork alone doesn’t automatically reroute a nervous system that never had the safety to experience slowing down or associating rest with safety.
Liam Meates & Vivid
For some people, being told to “put themselves first” can trigger guilt, overwhelm, or even self-punishment patterns, which can spiral into unhealthy habits.
This script may work well for low self-esteem, but can be less effective for those with more complex trauma patterns or inflated defensive personalities.
This is why therapy can never be a one-size-fits-all. That is the essence of integrative therapy: working with a counsellor to find the approaches that best support your self-growth, and help you navigate difficulties in a way that actually fits you.
This is why Liam Meates chose this as his focus.
Yes,Vivid is a multi-use space for therapeutic practices and creativity.But it began with the intention of creating a flexible environment where creative people, therapists, and clients can feel a sense of community.
The added benefit is that if talk therapy isn’t working for someone, other approaches may help — such as art therapy, which we have in-house. If what’s showing up is stored physical tension, massage therapy may help the body relax and release it. If deeper nervous system regulation is needed, breathwork can be explored with a trained practitioner.
The aim is to offer different pathways to support wellbeing, so people are not limited to one method of care.
At its core, Vivid is about integrative therapy within a wellness and community space — meeting people where they are, and offering multiple ways to support healing and growth.
-Nicole Aguilar