Noel Bell is a London-based therapist who practices integrative psychology.

He has been obsessed with the human mind and its infinite array of madnesses, quirks, maladies, dark corners, and unknowables since he was a young boy. So it was only natural that Noel would study psychology and become a professional therapist. He currently works from his office in the London Bridge area of central London.

What Is Integrative Psychology?

Integrative psychology refers to a type of psychology that is an integration of various more formal and dogmatic modes of psychology. An integrative psychologist studies a wide range of schools of psychology and utilizes many of them in combination when consulting with a client.

Whereas a Cognitive Behavioural therapist may use only CBT techniques with their clients. And a therapist who specialises in Transactional Analysis would use only TA with their clients. An integrative psychologist would use a more diverse toolbox.

An integrative psychologist can draw on elements of CBT, TA, the theories of the great practitioners such as Rogers, Freud, Jung, Ellis, and Adler, Somatic therapies, and many more, as and when necessary.

Integrative psychologists believe that there is much good and helpful material in most or all of the different schools of psychology. So why limit yourself to just one? Instead, Integrative psychologists pick and choose the best of what is available and use whatever tool happens to be most suitable for the job at hand.

The Value Of Integrative Therapy

Noel is a very experienced professional therapist. He has also received therapy himself, from many different therapists. He believes that therapy can be hugely beneficial for all people. A person does not need to have overt and obvious psychological problems, such as depression or anxiety, to benefit from therapy.

In the same way that not only people who are very overweight can benefit from exercise, therapy is also very helpful at fine-tuning and maintaining the mental health of even rather happy people.

The constancy of a regular therapy session keeps people on-top of their mental health and makes sure that issues such as denial and repression do not sneak in. Bad mental habits can settle into any one of us, and a regular therapy practice can make sure this doesn’t happen.

Regular therapy can be compared to regular exercise. And it can be just as essential to a happy and healthy life.

Can I Give Myself Therapy?

In Noel’s opinion, thorough therapy is best administered by a professional therapist.

Self-administered therapy, through reading,