he Integrative Strategic Psychotherapy series was conceived as both a comprehensive training manual and a continuing professional resource for psychotherapists at all stages of development. Across its six volumes, the series aims to accompany the reader through the evolving landscape of integrative and evidence-informed psychotherapy, blending theoretical depth with clinical practicality.

The series provides a structured and coherent learning path for students and supervisees who wish to understand and apply the Integrative Strategic Psychotherapy (ISP) model in their practice. At the same time, it serves as a reference and reflective resource for experienced psychotherapists seeking to deepen their understanding of integration, refine their technique, and ground their clinical decisions in a theoretically unified framework.

Each volume addresses a distinct aspect of the model - from its theoretical and philosophical foundations, to assessment, formulation, and intervention strategies, to its application in specific clinical areas. Together, the volumes form a cohesive body of knowledge that bridges neuroscience, developmental psychology, and the relational traditions of psychotherapy.

The ISP model integrates multiple dimensions of human functioning: biological, psychological, and relational levels intersect with cognitive, emotional, and psychodynamic axes. At its centre lies the conception of the self as a dynamic and evolving structure, encompassing the proto, core, plastic, and external domains. This framework allows for a flexible yet disciplined approach to therapeutic understanding and intervention - one that honours both the complexity of the human psyche and the uniqueness of each client’s story.

The intention is not only to teach a model, but to cultivate an integrative mindset - one that values creativity, critical thinking, and relational authenticity as much as technical skill. Whether used as a training manual, a supervision companion, or a source of inspiration for ongoing clinical reflection, the Integrative Strategic Psychotherapy series invites psychotherapists to engage in a process of lifelong integration: between theory and practice, self and other, science and art. - The Author

Integrative Strategic Psychotherapy Vol. 3: Theoretical Perspectives

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1. FREUDIAN PSYCHOANALYSIS

1.1. Freudian Psychoanalysis - The Basics

1.2. The Self and The Ego in Freudian Psychoanalysis

1.3. Integrating Freudian Concepts with ISP

CHAPTER 2. JUNGIAN PSYCHOANALYSIS

2.1. Jungian Psychoanalysis - The Basics

2.2. The Self and The Ego in Jungian Psychoanalysis

2.3. Integrating Jungian Concepts with ISP

CHAPTER 3. LACANIAN PSYCHOANALYSIS

3.1. Lacanian Psychoanalysis - The Basics

3.2. The Self and The Subject in Lacanian Psychoanalysis

3.3. Integrating Lacanian Concepts with ISP

CHAPTER 4. ADLER’S INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOLOGY

4.1. Adlerian Psychotherapy - The Basics

4.2. The Self and The Ego in Adler’s Individual Psychology

4.3. Integrating Adlerian Concepts with ISP

CHAPTER 5. WINNICOTT’S OBJECT RELATIONS THEORY

5.1. Winnicott’s Object Relations Theory - The Basics

5.2. The Self and The Object in Winnicott’s Theory

5.3. Integrating Winnicott’s Concepts with ISP

CHAPTER 6. THE INTERSUBJECTIVE FIELD: DANIEL STERN

6.1. Daniel Stern’s Theory - The Basics

6.2. The Developmental Architecture of The Self in Stern’s Model

6.3. Integrating Stern’s Concepts with ISP

CHAPTER 7. MASTERSON’S DEVELOPMENTAL THEORY

7.1. Masterson’s Developmental Theory - The Basics

7.2. The Structure of The Self in Kohut’s Model

7.3. Integrating Masterson’s Concepts with ISP

CHAPTER 8. KOHUT’S SELF PSYCHOLOGY

8.1. Kohut’s Self Psychology - The Basics

8.2. The Structure of The Self in Kohut’s Model

8.3. Integrating Kohut’s Concepts with ISP

CHAPTER 9. SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY

9.1. Social Learning Theory - The Basics

9.2. Core Constructs and Mechanisms of Social Learning

9.3. Integrating SLT Principles with ISP

CHAPTER 10. COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOURAL PSYCHOTHERAPY

10.1. Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy - The Basics

10.2. The Cognitive Model of The Mind and The Concept of Self in CBT

10.3. Integrating CBT Principles with ISP

CHAPTER 11. TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS

11.1. Transactional Analysis - The Basics

11.2. Ego States and The Structure of The Self

11.3. Life Scripts and Strategic Narratives

11.4. Integrating Transactional Analysis Concepts with ISP

CHAPTER 12. GESTALT THERAPY

12.1. Gestalt Therapy - The Basics

12.2. The Gestalt Concept of The Self

12.3. Integrating Gestalt Principles with ISP

CHAPTER 13. PSYCHODRAMA

13.1. Psychodrama - The Basics

13.2. The Role Theory and The Structure of The Self

13.3. Integrating Psychodramatic Concepts with ISP

CHAPTER 14. EXISTENTIAL PSYCHOTHERAPY

14.1. Existential psychotherapy - The Basics

14.2. The Existential Conception of The Self

14.3. Integrating Existential Principles with ISP

CHAPTER 15. PERSON CENTRED PSYCHOTHERAPY

15.1. Person-Centred Therapy - The Basics

15.2. The concept of Self in Rogers’ Theory

15.3. Integrating Person-Centred Psychotherapy with ISP

CHAPTER 16. FAMILY SYSTEMS THEORY

16.1. Family Therapy - The Basics

16.2. The Concept of The Self in Family Therapy

16.3. Integrating Family Systems Principles with ISP

CHAPTER 17. BODY PSYCHOTHERAPY

17.1. Body Psychotherapy - The Basics

17.2. The Body as The Ground of The Self

17.3. Toward an Embodied Integrative Paradigm

CHAPTER 18. TRAUMA-INFORMED PSYCHOTHERAPY

18.1. Trauma - Informed Psychotherapy - The Basics

18.2. The Concept of The Self in Trauma-Informed Perspectives

18.3. Integrating Trauma-Informed Principles with ISP

CHAPTER 19. MAPPING INTEGRATION

19.1. The Evolution of Integrative Psychotherapy

19.2. Comparative Overview

19.3. Congruences and Divergences

19.4. Toward a Meta-Integrative Future

About the author:

Oana Maria Popescu is a European-certified psychotherapist, trainer and supervisor in integrative psychotherapy, child and adolescent integrative psychotherapy and integrative-expressive psychotherapy, founding president of the Research, Counseling and Integrative Psychotherapy Association, the first institute in Romania with EAPTI accreditation. He is the president of the accreditation commission within the European Association of Integrative Psychotherapy and the coordinator of training standards in integrative psychotherapy in Europe. He is part of the editorial board of the European Journal of Qualitative Research in Psychotherapy.

Founding President of the Association for Research, Counseling and Integrative Psychotherapy

President of the Professional Commission of the Romanian Federation of Psychotherapy

Coordinator of training standards in integrative psychotherapy (training standards officer) and president of the accreditation commission of the European Association of Integrative Psychotherapy (EAIP - European Association of Integrative Psychotherapy).

Treasurer and member of the Steering Committee of the European Interdisciplinary Association for Therapeutic Services for Children and Young People (EIATSCYP - European Interdisciplinary Association for Therapeutic Services for Children and Young People)

Member of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration (SEPI - Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration)

Member of the editorial board of the European Journal of Qualitative Research in Psychotherapy.

Associate member of the American Psychological Association

Member of the International Society of Political Psychology (ISPP - International Society of Political Psychology).