The Integrative Focus: Coordinating Symptom- and Person-Oriented Perspectives in Therapy

A possible answer is presented to the danger of conceptual and technical fragmentation in eclectic-integrative treatments. Instead of attempting to unify eclectic treatments by an overarching theory, it is proposed that the symptomatic and personal perspectives on the therapy be harnessed together in an integrative focus that defines symptomatic improvement as a step in a developmental task, and makes personal development contingent upon symptomatic impvovement. The integrative focus concentrates therapeutic efforts on a clear issue and goal, coordinates symptom- and person-oriented interventions, and helps to improve communication.