John Rowan

The word 'primal' means 'of the beginning' or 'of the origins'.  The word 'integration' means 'making into one' or 'completing the whole'.

Primal integration is an approach which takes seriously the possibility of dealing with personal problems in a fundamental way by going back to their origins.  In this, of course, it is not unique - many different therapies say the same thing.  But primal integration has as open-ended notion of how far back those origins might be.  Some forms of therapy will only consider childhood.  Others will also consider infancy.  Primal integration also takes into account the process of birth, and the foetal life which preceded that.  

There is a knowing inside each of us about what we need to do to become more whole and actualize our potential.  This knowing is part of the power within us all, the spark of self that we need to acknowledge and nurture.  There are various ways of getting in touch with this source of inner strength - some are spontaneous and some are guided.  In primal integration, we learn to trust the process and eventually to trust our own inner wisdom to guide us on our journey.  Those of us who have been through this process have very often experienced very special moments of revelation and transformation.  This is a form of therapy which is about liberation rather than adjustment to the established norms of society.

Primal integration is based on a natural phenomenon that has been recognized and used for along time It is a creative letting go of conscious control of the body and emotions which opens up the unconscious to awareness.  This allows both insights and healing to emerge.  The body wants to heal, to release the tensions and pains it is holding inside.  Hence it is a form of therapy which is particularly good for people who have done some therapy before, and recognize the importance of this process of letting go of control.  People who have done no therapy before tend to be too scared of the truth-telling effects of this process.  But people who have done some therapy are more likely to recognize the necessity of facing and dealing with the truth, no matter how unpleasant it may be.

Further information about this therapeutic approach written by the authors, can be found in "Introduction to Counselling and Psychotherapy: The Essential Guide", edited by Professor Stephen Palmer and published by Sage, London.  Price £18.99.

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