Humanistic Integrative Psychotherapy (Barcelona)

Domain III · Humanistic, existential & experiential · Ana Gimeno-Bayón Cobos, Ramón Rosal Cortés · 1978 · Barcelona

What it is

PIH is a Spanish-origin, methodologically integrative humanistic-existential psychotherapy. Rosal and Gimeno-Bayón founded the institute in Barcelona in 1978 according to Rosal's publisher biography, or in 1979 according to Gimeno-Bayón's. The model is theoretically unified (holistic-systemic,…

Format

• PIH does not prescribe a closed, fixed sequence of session-numbered phases. Gimeno-Bayón (2017) combines several complementary sequences, summarised below. The macro-stages are an ordering synthesised from her article and from the casebook's chapter template.
• Valuation and decision are the authors' main additions to Perls's cycle. The 2016 manual covers 33 problems in phases 1–4 and the 2017 manual covers 69 problems in phases 5–13; for each problem the manuals give a description, signs (indicios) and in-session and between-session resources.

Who practises it, and how they are trained or regulated

• the Cuestionario Básico (a pre-therapy questionnaire written by the authors; licensed, so not reproduced here);

Questions to explore with your client

• What drew you to it, and what are you hoping it will change?
• Is there physical contact? Was it explained beforehand, and do you feel free to say no or stop at any point?
• Does it involve intense or unusual breathing? Have you been told about the medical conditions for which that is not advised?
• Does it involve fasting, a special diet or 'detox'? Have you discussed this with your doctor?
• Is it a group, retreat or community? How do they respond if someone wants to leave or raises a concern?
• Who runs it, and what training or registration do they hold?
• What actually happens in a session or meeting, and how often?
• What does it cost, and is there pressure to commit to more?
• How do you feel afterwards, in the hours and days that follow?
• Does it fit with, or clash with, the work we do here?

What practitioners of it watch for

• Discounting of positive strokes.
• Overwhelm. Use the grading in 4.6.
• The realistic view is not forced positivity.
• Premature goodbyes that skip anger or sorrow.
• Drama-triangle roles (persecutor, rescuer, victim).

When to involve someone else

• New or worsening physical symptoms, or advice to stop or change prescribed medication: involve the client's doctor or prescriber.
• Signs of coercion, isolation from family and friends, escalating costs or secrecy: discuss openly and consider safeguarding.
• A crisis or thoughts of suicide: follow your crisis protocol. In the US, call or text 988; in the UK and Ireland, Samaritans on 116 123.

Drawn automatically from the guide's own sections. Stay curious: neither endorse nor dismiss what the client values, and check anything that matters against the full guide and its sources. Not medical advice.