The journey of an integrationist: A grounded theory analysis.

Surveys among psychotherapists tend to show a high preference for integrationism/eclecticism. There is, however, a lack of empirical studies exploring the process by which these psychotherapists arrive at this orientation. To answer this question, 22 autobiographies published by integrative psychotherapists were analyzed using grounded theory analytic procedures. The analysis resulted in a 3-stage developmental model, consisting of (a) the Adherence Phase, (b) the Destabilization Phase, and (c) the Consolidation Phase. The results are discussed in relation to several speculative models of psychotherapist development toward integration, as well as empirical literature on psychotherapist development. The results suggest that the tendency toward integration is best regarded as a natural part of the process of psychotherapist development. (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).