ISIS: Institute of Integrative and Systemic Health

Welcome to the Institute for Integrative and Systems Health (ISIS)

The Institute of Integrative and Systemic Health (ISIS) is an initiative led by Professor Gérard Ostermann within LACT with the support of Grégoire Vitry and Claude de Scorraille. ISIS is not simply a healthcare center, but a new way of thinking about health. The ISIS Institute's approach is inspired by the notion of binocular vision developed by Gregory Bateson (1972). This perspective highlights the importance of considering two simultaneous points of view to understand the depth and complexity of human relationships and health dynamics. Building on this vision, ISIS aims to create a richer and more nuanced understanding of the care journey, integrating both individual and relational aspects of patients. 

The ISIS Institute stands out for its commitment to moving beyond silo thinking that tends to isolate the different dimensions of health. The ISIS approach takes into account the inherent complexity of the human being, seen as an integrated “man-system”, according to the concept developed by Perfetti (2000). This involves considering all of the patient's dimensions and functions, both neurocognitively and emotionally, in order to maintain overall consistency in the management of care. A well-thought-out integrative approach must reflect this complexity, thus avoiding confusion with non-medical practices while guaranteeing optimal coordination between health professionals. Studies such as those of Pecukonis et al . (2008) and Barr et al . (2005) show that the fragmentation of disciplines in the field of health can lead to ineffective care and a reductive vision of patient problems.

In response, ISIS adopts an integrative and systemic approach which promotes a transdisciplinary approach and the exchange of information between different specialists, thus guaranteeing global and coherent patient care. By combining integrative approaches with a systemic vision, ISIS places the patient at the heart of their care journey, taking into account all the relationships they form with their environment. Far from being limited to simple symptom management, ISIS aims to restore the patient's overall balance to achieve optimal well-being. In this article, we will explore the fundamentals of the ISIS approach in depth, drawing on real-world examples to illustrate its effectiveness. This new way of approaching health responds to a growing need for coordination between different disciplines.

What is integrative and systemic health?

Integrative health, as practiced at ISIS, does more than just treat disease. It seeks to promote a state of overall health, taking into account the patient as a whole: his body, his emotions, his mind, and his relationships with his environment. Unlike conventional approaches to care which can sometimes focus only on treating symptoms, integrative and systemic health aims to treat the root causes of imbalances.

Imagine a garden. If a plant is diseased, one could simply cut off the diseased leaves. An integrative and systemic gardener, on the other hand, will examine the quality of the soil, the amount of light, irrigation, and proximity to other plants, and the interactions between the plant and its environment. He will ensure that all conditions are optimal so that the plant can flourish sustainably. Likewise, ISIS seeks to create an environment where every patient can thrive.

By integrating this complexity, the ISIS Institute offers care that not only addresses visible symptoms, but also focuses on how these symptoms integrate into the patient's entire bodily and mental system. For example, in neurocognitive rehabilitation, the body is 'transparent' as long as everything is functioning well, but becomes 'opaque' during pathology, drawing attention to dysfunctional processes. The role of ISIS is then to help the patient to re-establish this transparency, that is to say to reintegrate these functions in a harmonious manner.

The systemic approach: understanding interactions to act on complexity

The systemic approach, which is at the heart of the ISIS model, focuses on the complex interactions in the relationship of self to self and of self to one's environment. This model takes into account not only physical and psychological symptoms, but also the relationships that the patient has with others, the material world, and the sociocultural environment. The systemic approach thus makes it possible to understand how these elements interact to maintain or disrupt the patient's health.

In this context, the notion of integration becomes essential, because it makes it possible to move from simple symptom management to real resolution of the underlying problems. For example, in the case of chronic pain, it is about understanding how poorly integrated information can dominate the patient's perception, transforming a physical condition into a complex and persistent subjective experience.

This approach is deeply rooted in Bateson's concept of dual description, which suggests that true understanding of human interactions emerges when one combines two distinct perspectives, analogous to binocular vision. In the same way that our two eyes, when they work together, allow us to perceive depth, the analysis of relationships within the systemic approach allows us to reveal the hidden dimensions of health issues. By applying this method, ISIS can identify not only the visible elements of symptoms, but also the underlying interactions that maintain or exacerbate these imbalances (Reach, 2022).

Over the past twenty years, the development of neuroscience has led to important discoveries about the functioning of the brain, while promoting a biological vision of emotions (Damasio, 1999; Gazzaniga, 1992). This development questions the origin of mental illness, opposing determinist theses, which link each emotion to a specific area of ​​the brain (LeDoux, 2005), to constructivist theses, which see emotion as the result of complex interactions in the brain. the entire mind-body system (Lindquist et al ., 2012). Research in epigenetics reinforces this integrative vision, showing that our experiences directly influence the expression of our genes (Jawaid & Mansuy, 2019). This constant interaction between biology and environment illustrates how essential it is to consider both innate and acquired factors in the management of emotions and mental disorders (Nardone, 2019). Thus, as part of ISIS's systems approach, these elements are integrated to provide a more comprehensive understanding and treatment of psychological disorders.

Concrete example: A patient suffering from chronic back pain may find their pain exacerbated not only by physical factors, but also by stress at work, family conflicts, or poor posture. The systemic approach will make it possible to identify and act on the interactions between these different factors in order to generally improve the patient's condition.

The CESAME model

ISIS integrates the CESAME questioning grid, a powerful tool that allows you to decode the patient's perception and analyze their interactions with their environment on several levels: cognitive, emotional, somatic, others, world, and environment. This method makes it possible to identify not only the nature of the patient's complaints, but also to understand how these complaints are fueled by their perceptions and their relationships with the outside world (Reach et al ., 2018).

Faced with the limits of traditional treatments, the CESAME® approach (Cognition, Emotion, Soma, Others, World, Environment) offers a bio-psycho-social vision of mental health, based on a global and targeted intervention methodology. (Vitry, 2024). Health is considered an emergent quality of the interaction between the individual and their internal and external environments. This systemic and strategic approach highlights the importance of interactions between individuals and their natural, social and cultural environment. CESAME makes it possible to approach patients by taking into account not only visible symptoms, but also underlying perceptions, examining the most significant interconnected dimensions of their problem. This integrated diagnostic and therapeutic framework allows for targeted and effective intervention, as illustrated in the following examples.

Cognition - Cognitive activity

Cognitive activity encompasses the mental processes that give rise to a state of consciousness. In cases of sleep disorders, for example, intrusive thoughts may be perceived as threatening, leading to constant rumination that disrupts the natural flow of consciousness. This is the case of Jean, 55, whose constant ruminations on his work exacerbate his insomnia. The CESAME approach helps them revisit their beliefs and reduce the power of these intrusive thoughts, by promoting a more peaceful mental state before bed.

Emotion - Emotional activity

Emotions act as barometers, telling the individual what to do to ensure survival and comfort. They are essential to the regulation of experience and appear at the center of the CESAME diagram in the relationship between the individual and their context. For example, Sophie, 38, suffering from chronic pain, is emotionally overloaded by work stress and family expectations. By integrating emotional regulation techniques, Sophie learns to better deal with her emotions, which contributes to reducing her pain and improving her general well-being.

Soma - Somatic activity

Somatic activity concerns the body and its manifestations, alerting you to its level of energy and health. In cases like that of Jean, who also suffers from chronic fatigue due to his sleep disorders, the CESAME approach helps to recognize and relax the bodily tensions associated with his state of anxiety. By practicing progressive relaxation techniques, Jean manages to reduce his overall stress, thus contributing to an improvement in the quality of his sleep and his vitality.

Others - Social activity

The “Others” dimension represents social activity and interpersonal exchanges, which influence relationships and can contribute to the maintenance of psychological or physical disorders. For example, Sophie, 28, who struggles with bulimia, sees her eating disorders exacerbated by complex family dynamics, in particular a conflictual relationship with her mother. By exploring these relational dynamics through the CESAME approach, Sophie develops new communication skills, which improves her social interactions and contributes to better management of her disorder.

World – The activity of the natural and artificial world

In CESAME, the “World” refers to the activity of the concrete and artificial world. Interactions with the environment can play a significant role in exacerbating certain disorders. For example, Jean, obsessed with order in his professional environment, uses CESAME questioning to redefine his relationship with his workspace. He thus learns to perceive the balance between order and disorder in a more functional way, thus reducing the impact of his ruminations on his daily life.

Environment - The activity of the abstract, moral and cultural world

The Environment in CESAME encompasses the abstract societal, spiritual, moral and cultural frameworks that influence the reactions and behaviors of individuals. These settings can intensify the symptoms of the disorders, as in the case of Leah, who feels guilty because of her rigid moral beliefs. By revisiting her conceptions using the CESAME approach, Léa learns to tolerate her emotions and moderate her obsessive rituals, which improves her natural functioning and her social life.

Jobs within ISIS: a transdisciplinary approach

The ISIS Institute brings together a wide range of healthcare professionals, each playing a crucial role in supporting the patient towards optimal well-being. These professionals include physical therapists, nurses, doctors, psychologists, pharmacists, nutritionists, midwives, and many others. Each professional brings their specific expertise, but all share common training in an integrative and systemic approach, provided by LACT.

Training at LACT: To be able to practice in a systemic framework, health professionals at ISIS follow specialized training developed by LACT. This training of 500 hours and 3 years minimum as a systems engineer® (title protected by the SYPRES union) includes modules on the integrative and systemic approach, strategic dialogue (Nardone and Salvini, 2012), the CESAME grid, the narrative approach (White and Epston, 1990), the solution-oriented approach (de Shazer, 1985), Ericksonian hypnosis (Lakdja and Ostermann, 2024) and other essential tools for understanding and intervening on the complex dynamics that influence the health of the patient. Through this training, each practitioner is equipped to provide integrative consultations that consider not only symptoms, but also underlying relational and contextual causes.

The constructivist approach: respect and listening to the patient

The constructivist approach, which underlies practices at ISIS, places the patient at the center of the therapeutic process. This approach is based on the idea that reality is constructed by each individual through their perceptions, experiences, and interactions with their environment. Thus, respect and active listening to the patient are essential to understand their vision of the world and help them co-construct solutions to their health problems (Reach, 2022).

Assessment of the therapeutic alliance and problem solving: a key success factor

The evaluation of the therapeutic alliance, although essential, does not mean that the therapist must adhere unconditionally to everything the patient says or wishes. In fact, a strong therapeutic alliance involves a relationship where the therapist can, with kindness and respect, confront or challenge certain ideas, behaviors or requests of the patient, when this is deemed necessary for the good of the therapeutic process.

It is important to understand that the goal is not to satisfy all of the patient's expectations, but to maintain a relationship based on trust, collaboration, and mutual commitment to therapeutic goals. Research shows that this ability to navigate disagreements while maintaining a strong alliance is an indicator of high therapeutic skills and effective therapy (Safran & Muran, 2000; Horvath & Symonds, 1991).

The Session Rating Scale (SRS)

Used by professionals trained at LACT, the SRS makes it possible to identify not only the positive aspects of the alliance, but also areas of disagreement or difficulty, thus offering an opportunity to address them in a constructive manner to strengthen the alliance. (Miller et al ., 2003).

The Problem Resolution Scale (PRS)

The PRS is a tool developed to assess the extent to which the problem presented in therapy is perceived to be resolved by the patient and therapist. The PRS is a single-item instrument, simple and quick to administer, which allows clinical progress to be monitored effectively (Vitry et al ., 2024). This tool is particularly useful in strategic systemic therapy contexts, where the goal is to obtain concrete and measurable results in a short time. Studies have shown that the use of PRS is strongly correlated with improvements in general psychological well-being and overall functioning of patients, thus providing valuable feedback to adjust the therapeutic process in real time (Vitry et al., 2024 ).

The integration of PRS into clinical practice aims to strengthen collaboration between the therapist and the patient, ensuring that the latter feels understood, respected, and involved in their care process. Regular feedback from the patient allows the therapist to adjust their approach in real time, thereby improving the overall effectiveness of the therapy. At ISIS, the use of the SRS and PRS is systematically taught to all students, instilling in them the importance of this ongoing self-assessment to support a truly patient-centered therapeutic journey.

HEALTH in action

Imagine your well-being as a garden. For it to flower fully, it needs care, attention, and balance. At ISIS, HEALTH is like an attentive gardener, who watches over each plant, each tree, and each flower so that the whole forms a harmonious ecosystem.

S - for Sleep

Sleep is like night covering your garden. It is during these dark hours that nature regenerates, roots sink deeper into the soil, and each plant absorbs essential nutrients. Good sleep is a peaceful night where everything is in balance, where the body and mind are rested to be ready to face the next day (Reach, 2019). When this night is disrupted, the entire garden feels the effects – leaves wither, flowers wither, and vitality diminishes.

A - for Physical activity

Physical activity is the sun that nourishes every plant in your garden. Exercise is that radiation that gives muscles the strength to grow, that activates the circulation of energy throughout your body, like the sap that circulates in trees. Without this sun, the garden becomes dreary and dull, the plants stop growing, and the land becomes arid. Moving means exposing your garden to light, giving it the energy it needs to flourish.

N - for Nutrition

Nutrition is the fertile soil into which your roots sink. It is the rich soil that provides nutrients to every flower, every tree, every grass. Eating a balanced diet means choosing quality soil, one that allows your entire garden to remain green and resistant to disease. An unbalanced diet is like poor soil, which lacks what it takes to nourish the life that depends on it.

T - for Social Fabric 

The social fabric is the water that irrigates your garden. Social relationships are the rivers and streams that flow through your living space, bringing freshness and life to every corner. A good relationship with your loved ones, your friends, and even your colleagues is like well-managed irrigation – each plant gets just what it needs to grow. When these relationships dry up, your garden begins to dry up, and loneliness becomes a desert where nothing grows.

É - for Emotional regulation

Finally, emotional regulation is the gentle wind that blows through your garden, which tempers the heat of the sun, which pushes away the clouds, and which allows each element to find its right balance. Managing your emotions is like making sure that wind remains a calming breeze and not a destructive storm. It is learning to welcome each emotion, as we welcome each season, knowing that they are part of life and that they each bring their own contribution to the cycle of nature.

It is by integrating these five elements – sleep, physical activity, nutrition, social fabric, and emotional regulation – that your garden, that is to say your health, becomes a living space where everything is in harmony. It is this global approach that makes it possible to cultivate true well-being, where health is more than the simple absence of disease, but a vibrant presence of life.

Practical cases: integrative and systemic HEALTH at work

Sleep disorders

Management of sleep disorders as part of overall health

To improve the quality of life of people suffering from sleep disorders, it is essential to adopt a personalized and integrated approach. This means that we must combine different types of interventions, including behavioral, psychological and sometimes medical.

The importance of sleep

Sleep plays a crucial role in the proper functioning of our brain and body. It acts as a great regulator, cleansing both our body and our mind. While we sleep, our brain processes and organizes the day's information, calms our emotions, and helps us better process our experiences. In addition, it is during sleep that our immune system is updated and our telomeres are repaired, which are structures located at the ends of our chromosomes, essential for the protection of our DNA and the prevention of cellular aging.

Sleep rhythms

To benefit from restful sleep, it is important to respect certain rhythms. Indeed, sleep should not be considered as a simple variable that we can adjust to our convenience. It's recommended that you get at least five to seven hours of sleep per night, but ideally, most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep, spread over four or five cycles of two to one and a half hours each. There is individual variation: around 5% of people are short sleepers and can get by on less than six hours of sleep per night, while 10% to 15% need more than nine hours. Additionally, some people are naturally morning people, while others are more evening people. Chrono-rigid and punctual “early risers” feel in good shape in the morning and may feel uncomfortable after a lie-in.

The benefits of sleep

Sleep is also a key time for cleansing our body and mind. During this period, we eliminate a large part of the unnecessary information accumulated during the day, which is essential for sorting out memories and retaining only those that seem relevant. This is why sleep plays an essential role in memory consolidation processes. Dreams also contribute to this process by helping us regulate our emotions and process difficult events or buried memories. Even nightmares can have a therapeutic function by helping us overcome trauma. Finally, dreaming is beneficial for our learning, because it makes it easier to organize and integrate new information. In short, sleep is a valuable ally for our overall health and well-being. In other words, to live a long and healthy life, it is essential to sleep well.

The use of hypnotics and their withdrawal

Hypnotics, often prescribed to treat insomnia, can be effective in the short term. However, their prolonged use carries risks, including dependence and reduced natural sleep quality. Weaning must be gradual and supervised by a health professional to avoid withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety or sleep problems. It is advisable to adopt natural methods, such as meditation and good sleep hygiene, to restore healthy sleep without drug dependence.

The strategic systemic approach

Sleep, this natural refuge which regenerates and soothes us, sometimes becomes the object of a fierce struggle between us and ourselves. For those who suffer from insomnia, the night turns into a battlefield where every minute spent without sleep reinforces the anxiety of the approaching dawn. Thoughts swirl, anxiety grows, and the temptation to force sleep becomes a formidable trap. Like sand that slips through your fingers, it is often the frenzied desire to sleep that prevents you from sleeping. In his work on hyperintention, Frankl (1988, p. 116) took this repetitive and paradoxical dimension into account, asserting for example that “the fear of insomnia creates a hyperintention to sleep which ends up keeping one awake”.

The strategic systems approach offers a bold response to this problem. Rather than trying to force sleep or suppress anxiety-provoking thoughts, this method suggests welcoming them, or even exaggerating them. This paradoxical technique, seemingly counterintuitive, allows the patient to thwart the mental mechanisms that maintain insomnia. By inviting the patient to voluntarily “stay awake,” the approach uses the stratagem of paradox to break the cycle of anticipatory anxiety. Thus, by ceasing to fight against awakening, the patient ends up freeing himself from the obsession with sleep, opening the door to a more serene night.

The strategic protocol for insomnia also involves reconfiguring pre-sleep rituals and habits, which are often too rigid and fraught with anxiety. For example, instead of imposing strict schedules and anxiety-inducing routines, the patient is encouraged to voluntarily “disrupt” their bedtime ritual. By introducing elements of surprise or change, such as reading a book in an uncomfortable position or deliberately delaying going to bed, we defuse the tension built up around sleep. This playful approach allows you to transform the bedroom, no longer into a place of combat, but into a space of relaxation and spontaneity.

The therapist can also use mental imagery to help the patient tame their nighttime fears. Mental imagery stimulates brain areas related to planning and executing movements, creating neural responses similar to real experience. It strengthens neuronal connections and optimizes the brain's potential through images. For example, it may encourage the patient to imagine their anxious thoughts as passing clouds, without clinging to them, or to visualize a calming scene that is dear to them. This work on the imagination helps to create emotional distance from disturbing thoughts, thus allowing sleep to settle in more naturally.

In this approach, the key lies in the change of perspective: sleep is no longer seen as a goal to be achieved at all costs, but as a state that occurs naturally when the mind is freed from constraint. The patient learns to tame sleep as one tames a wild animal: with patience, gentleness and without haste.

The effectiveness of the strategic systems approach in the treatment of insomnia is supported by encouraging clinical results. Patients often report a rapid improvement in their sleep quality, accompanied by a reduction in bedtime anxiety. They rediscover the pleasure of restful sleep, thus rediscovering the thread of their dreams, interrupted for so long.

In conclusion, the strategic systems approach to the treatment of insomnia transforms the way patients experience their sleep. It offers them not only concrete tools to sleep better, but also a new vision of the night: no longer an enemy to fight, but an ally to find.

Case study: Jean’s nights

Jean is 55 years old and has suffered from insomnia for years. At ISIS, his insomnia is not treated as an isolated problem, but as a symptom of a larger imbalance. The CESAME model is used to explore one's intrusive thoughts, repressed emotions, and relational tensions with those around them that may contribute to one's sleep problems.

Approach: The team discovers that Jean is plagued by constant ruminations about his work, and that he has tense relationships with his colleagues. By using strategic dialogue, Jean is encouraged to express his concerns and consider concrete changes in his professional life. He also participates in relaxation and meditation sessions to calm his mind before sleeping. In a few weeks, Jean noticed a significant improvement in his sleep.

Scientific reference: Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is widely recognized for its effectiveness in treating sleep disorders, with studies showing significant improvements in patients' sleep quality (Morin, 2006) .

Pain 

Chronic pain , insidious and persistent, often looms like a threatening shadow, disrupting every moment of daily life. It invades the mental space, colors the mood with a dark veil, and transforms every gesture into a cruel reminder of suffering. For those who are prisoners of it, pain becomes a tyrant, imposing its laws on the body and the mind. But faced with this scourge, the strategic systemic approach offers a different path, an innovative way of understanding and treating pain in all its complexity.

Instead of fighting pain head-on, the strategic systemic approach seeks to redefine the relationship that the patient has with it. This method offers an exploration of the interactional dynamics surrounding pain, not only in terms of physical symptoms, but also in terms of perception, emotion, and associated behaviors. By considering pain not as an enemy to be defeated, but as a complex signal to decipher, this approach makes it possible to develop therapeutic strategies adapted to each individual.

One of the key techniques of this approach consists of using pain itself as a therapeutic lever. For example, in certain cases, the therapist can invite the patient to “dialogue” with their pain, to imagine it in a tangible form, to give it a voice, a face. This imaginary dialogue allows the patient to take a step back, to defuse the emotional charge associated with pain, and sometimes even to modify their perception of it. Pain, once tyrannical, then becomes an interlocutor with whom it is possible to negotiate.

Another strategy is to introduce paradoxes into the way the patient manages their pain. For example, we can suggest that the patient concentrate intensely on their pain, to “search” for it voluntarily, rather than trying to avoid it. This counterintuitive approach has the effect of defusing the cycle of avoidance and fear that often amplifies the perception of pain. By deliberately confronting their suffering, the patient can reduce its psychological influence and discover new ways of understanding it.

The strategic systems approach also emphasizes the importance of daily rituals and behaviors in pain management. Rather than locking themselves into rigid routines dictated by fear of pain, the patient is encouraged to introduce elements of flexibility and surprise into their habits. This can involve small transgressions, such as choosing to do an unusual activity or changing the order of daily tasks. This change in routine can help destabilize the mental rigidity associated with chronic pain and pave the way for new, more positive experiences.

Hypnosis is another powerful tool used in this approach to treating chronic pain. It allows the patient to be immersed in a state of deep relaxation, where the mind can be guided to reconfigure the perception of pain (Lakdja & Ostermann, 2024). Through hypnotic suggestions, the patient can learn to modulate the pain, transform it, or even move it to another part of the body where it will be less bothersome. Hypnosis offers the patient a gentle alternative to regain control of their body and their pain.

Finally, the support provided by those around you is often re-evaluated in this approach. Loved ones, although often with good intentions, can unintentionally reinforce the perception of pain through their protective or anxious behaviors. The therapist also works with the family to create an environment that promotes the patient's autonomy, allowing them to reinterpret their sensations in a more positive way and less dependent on external reactions.

The results of this approach are often surprising: patients report not only a reduction in pain, but also a boost in self-confidence and a better quality of life. They rediscover the power of their minds and bodies to manage pain, no longer as victims, but as actors in their own well-being (Reach, 2023).

In conclusion, the strategic systemic approach to the treatment of chronic pain offers an innovative and liberating path. It transforms the way patients perceive and interact with their pain, by offering them concrete tools and adapted strategies to return to a more serene and active life. Pain, once synonymous with inescapable suffering, becomes a signal to be understood, a challenge to be met, and, ultimately, an element of life that can be reintegrated into a rich and meaningful existence.

Case study: Sophie’s pain 

Sophie is 38 years old and suffers from chronic pain which limits her in her daily activities. The conventional treatments she has undergone so far have had little effect. Upon arriving at ISIS, Sophie is welcomed by a multidisciplinary team: a physiotherapist, a nutritionist, a psychologist, and a doctor. Each professional examines a different aspect of their pain, while using the CESAME grid to understand the interactions between their physical pain, their emotions, and their relationships with those around them.

Approach: The team discovers that Sophie, in addition to suffering physically, is emotionally overloaded by the stress of her job and the expectations of her family. The treatment plan includes not only physical therapy and nutritional adjustments, but also systemic therapy to help him manage his stress. Thanks to this integrative and systemic approach, Sophie begins to see a reduction in her pain and an improvement in her overall well-being. The multidisciplinary team applied the techniques described by Ostermann in his work on pain relief, combining body therapies and a cognitive approach to reduce the perception of pain (Jousselin and Ostermann, 2024).

Scientific reference: Several studies have shown the effectiveness of multidisciplinary approaches in the management of chronic pain (Eccleston and Crombez, 2007).

Eating disorders

Eating disorders, such as bulimia or anorexia, are like a distorting mirror, where each reflection exacerbates an altered self-image, marked by complex dynamics of control and compulsion. Patients often find themselves trapped in a vicious cycle: the relentless struggle to control their diet paradoxically leads to an even greater loss of control. Each attempt at dieting or restriction becomes a rope that pulls them deeper into the pit of compulsive eating.

The integrative systems approach proposes to break this cycle by approaching eating disorders not as isolated problems, but as the result of complex interactions between perceptions, emotions and relationships. By relying on strategic techniques, this method seeks to disrupt dysfunctional patterns and restore emotional and relational balance.

The interventions are designed to circumvent the patient's natural resistance, by playing on the paradoxical logic that often characterizes these disorders. For example, the paradox diet encourages patients to allow themselves to eat what they want most, at set times, thereby transforming restriction and compulsion into an act of voluntary moderation. This approach not only reduces the frequency of compulsive behaviors, but also gradually reintroduces a healthier relationship with food.

At the same time, the involvement of loved ones is important, as their well-intentioned attempts to control the patient's eating behavior can often reinforce the problem. The “conspiracy of silence” is a frequently used technique, where family members learn to observe without intervening, allowing the patient to regain autonomy in managing their disorders.

Thus, the integrative systemic approach does not simply treat the symptom, it seeks to transform the patient's perception of himself and his environment, paving the way for lasting recovery. The results obtained in the different protocols show significant clinical effectiveness, with notable improvements observed from the first weeks of treatment (Nardone, 2005; Jackson et al ., 2018). This method offers a light at the end of the tunnel for patients, helping them break free from the invisible chains of their eating disorders.

Case study: Sophie’s bulimia

Sophie is 28 years old and has been battling bulimia for years. She consulted numerous specialists without success. At ISIS, Sophie benefits from rigorous nutritional monitoring, accompanied by body therapies to restore a healthy relationship with her body.

Approach: The systemic approach highlights that his eating disorders are linked to complex family dynamics, notably a conflictual relationship with his mother. Strategic dialogue allows Sophie to understand these dynamics and develop new ways of managing her emotions, leading to an improvement in her condition.

Scientific reference: Systemic interventions and family therapies have shown their effectiveness in the treatment of eating disorders, particularly when they address the underlying relational dynamics (Treasure, Claudino, & Zucker, 2010).

Alcohol use disorder

Imagine a person constantly struggling against a rising tide, each wave symbolizing a temptation, emotion, or difficulty in life. Alcohol, in this battle, becomes both a lifeline and an anchor that prevents him from breaking free. For this person, drinking is not just about pleasure; it is often a desperate attempt to numb deep pain, to ward off fear, shame or anger, or to manage tumultuous relationships.

The integrative systemic approach, like that implemented in the studies carried out by the SYPRENE systemic network (Vitry, 2021), does not simply address alcohol as an isolated symptom. She delves into the undercurrents, exploring relationship dynamics, ingrained beliefs, and attempts at dysfunctional solutions that keep the person in a cycle of consumption.

Each intervention is carefully calibrated to disrupt these repetitive patterns. For example, where a total ban on drinking could reinforce desire, this approach could offer a paradoxical authorization, inviting the person to regain a minimum of control without drowning in guilt. Rather than focusing solely on stopping drinking, we seek to identify and soothe the emotions and relationships that fuel the need to drink.

The efficiency of this approach is clear: a significant reduction in addictive behaviors is often obtained in a few sessions, with a considerable improvement in social relationships and a regaining of control over daily life. On average, according to SYPRENE data, improvement or complete resolution of the alcohol use disorder is observed in 79% of cases after only 6 sessions spread over approximately 6 months.

Thus, the integrative systemic approach offers skillful navigation in the troubled waters of addiction, offering the patient not only a reduction in consumption, but also a real transformation of their relationship with themselves and their environment. By changing the way he interacts with the world, the patient doesn't just survive the rising tide – he learns to move through it with new inner strength.

Case study: Jean-Luc has an alcohol use disorder

Jean-Luc is 32 years old and has been drinking more than 2 liters of beer and other stronger alcoholic beverages daily for over 15 years. Living with his parents with a schizophrenic older brother, he finds himself in a very precarious family situation. Worried about his health, he consulted a CSAPA (Addictology Care, Support, Prevention Center) to find help.

Approach : The strategic systemic approach highlights that Jean-Luc's excessive alcohol consumption is in part a reaction to severe relational tensions with his family. Jean-Luc frequently expresses anger and violence towards his parents and brother, which often leads him to use alcohol to relieve his frustration. The therapy consists of disrupting Jean-Luc's attempt at a dysfunctional solution by paradoxically allowing him to consume a minimum of alcohol, thus breaking the vicious circle of compulsive consumption. At the same time, Jean-Luc is encouraged to stop intervening in family conflicts when he believes that others are not being reasonable. After six sessions over a five-month period, Jean-Luc's alcohol consumption was reduced by half, and he reports a significant improvement in his situation.

Scientific reference : Data from SYPRENE (Systemic Practice Research Network) show an effectiveness of 79% in cases of alcohol-related disorders, with a notable reduction in addictive behaviors thanks to the strategic systemic approach (Vitry & de Scorraille , 2023).

Why ISIS makes a difference

Scientific evidence of the effectiveness and efficiency of the strategic systems approach

At ISIS, each therapeutic method used, whether conventional or complementary, is carefully chosen based on solid scientific evidence and its suitability for the specific needs of the patient. The strategic systems approach, an essential component of our methodology, is based on a growing body of research that demonstrates its effectiveness and efficiency in various therapeutic contexts.

A key study conducted by Vitry et al. (2021) through the Systems Practice Research Network (SYPRENE) offers compelling evidence of the effectiveness of this approach. This study analyzed the results of 1,150 patients treated with strategic systemic therapy in natural clinical settings. The results were impressive: 80% of cases showed significant improvement or complete resolution of problems, according to therapists, while 90% of patients reported similar improvements. On average, these results were achieved in just 5.4 sessions over a period of 5.3 months. These numbers are particularly remarkable when compared to other forms of therapy, which often require longer treatments to achieve similar results.

In addition, the study showed that 76% of patients achieved a change that was both reliable and clinically meaningful, as measured in particular by the GHQ-12 clinical well-being questionnaire ( General Health Questionnaire ; Goldberg, 1971). This means that the improvement observed was not only statistically significant, but also perceived as a real transformation in the daily lives of patients.

These results reinforce the idea that the strategic systemic approach is not only effective, but also efficient. In other words, it makes it possible to obtain significant results with a minimum of resources, both in terms of time and number of sessions. This success is attributable to the targeted nature of the approach, which focuses on solving the patient's specific problems by modifying the redundant solutions that maintain those problems.

These data, from real clinical contexts, confirm that the strategic systemic approach is a powerful therapeutic method, capable of bringing lasting and significant changes, even in complex situations. At ISIS, we are committed to using evidence-based methods to ensure that every patient receives the most appropriate and effective treatment possible

A high level of transparency and ethics

ISIS is committed to maintaining a high level of transparency and ethics. All interventions are discussed and decided in collaboration with the patient, who remains in control of his or her care pathway. The systemic approach keeps the patient at the center of the process, thus avoiding any form of manipulation or deviation.

The importance of dialogic work:
One of the fundamental elements of the systemic and integrative approach adopted by ISIS is based on the concept of dialogism, as theorized by Mikhail Bakhtin. Bakhtin, a philosopher and literary theorist, introduced the idea that meaning always emerges in the interaction between multiple voices or points of view, a central concept in the dynamics of dialogue (Bakhtin, 1981; Bakhtin, 1984). In the context of systemic practice, this principle is reflected in the importance given to the establishment of dialogic work between the different health professionals, but also between the practitioner and the patient.

Dialogical work allows us to recognize and value the diversity of perspectives in the therapeutic process. By integrating the contributions of each professional within ISIS, and considering the patient's voice as essential in the co-construction of care, dialogue becomes a powerful tool for understanding and intervening in complex relational dynamics. This approach, which finds its foundations in the work of Bakhtin, makes it possible to create a space where multiple voices can meet and enrich each other, thus strengthening the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.

To deepen the understanding of this dialogical dimension, it is also relevant to refer to the work developed within the framework of Open Dialogue, a therapeutic approach which highlights the importance of continuous and inclusive dialogue in the treatment of serious psychological disorders. (Seikkula & Olson, 2003). This method, which finds echoes in Bakhtinian principles, has demonstrated its effectiveness in creating an open and collaborative therapeutic environment.

Scientific reference: Transparency and active patient participation in therapeutic decisions are key elements for improving adherence to treatment and long-term results (Charles et al ., 1997).

Brief and effective interventions

The effectiveness of the ISIS approach relies on its ability to address the root causes of health problems, rather than just the symptoms. This not only reduces long-term costs by avoiding recurrences, but also improves patients' quality of life in a lasting manner.

Brief interventions, when well targeted, can be just as effective as longer treatments. Indeed, strategic systemic therapy, as taught and practiced at ISIS within the LACT training center, emphasizes precise and time-limited interventions, which make it possible to obtain rapid results while addressing complex patient issues. Studies show that these interventions can not only reduce symptoms, but also significantly decrease overall medical costs by reducing the need for other health services. For example, medico-economic analyzes carried out by Dezetter and Briffault (2016) highlighted the efficiency of psychotherapies in reducing costs associated with depressive and anxiety disorders in France, showing that a financing program for psychotherapies could be a profitable investment for health systems. 

The SYPRENE approach, developed and used by practitioners trained at LACT, makes it possible to evaluate the duration and effectiveness of interventions. Data show that 93% of cases can be resolved or significantly improved in six to ten sessions, and 71% in one to five sessions, demonstrating the effectiveness of brief interventions in a strategic systemic context (Vitry et al ., 2021 ). This effectiveness also translates into reduced overall mental health spending, with studies showing that costs associated with psychotherapy are often offset by decreased reliance on other, more expensive forms of medical care, such as hospitalization. or prolonged medication (Zarifian, 1996; Dezetter, 2012).

Scientific reference: Studies have shown that brief interventions can be just as effective as longer treatments, particularly with regard to strategic systemic therapy (Jackson et al ., 2018; Nardone & Watzlawick, 2005).

Conclusion

The Institute for Integrative and Systems Health (ISIS) offers a unique approach to treating health issues by combining the principles of integrative health with a systems approach. This combination helps treat not only the physical symptoms, but also the underlying emotional, relational and contextual causes. For patients facing complex conditions such as chronic pain, sleep disorders, eating disorders, or fibromyalgia, ISIS represents hope for significant and lasting improvement in their quality of life.

The multidisciplinary team of professionals at ISIS, trained in the systemic and integrative approach by LACT, plays a fundamental role in supporting patients. Through specialized training, these professionals are able to intervene consistently and effectively, providing personalized care that meets the unique needs of each patient. This training also helps ensure that each intervention is based on solid scientific evidence, thereby strengthening the credibility and effectiveness of the care provided.

The constructivist approach adopted by ISIS, which emphasizes respect and active listening to the patient, is essential for co-constructing a care pathway truly centered on the individual. By recognizing that each patient has a unique perception of their illness and their environment, ISIS professionals are able to offer interventions that are not only adapted to clinical needs, but also respectful of the values ​​and beliefs of each person.

In conclusion, ISIS does not just heal; it transforms the way patients interact with their health, providing them with the tools and support needed to restore overall balance to their lives. If you are ready to explore this innovative approach and begin your path to optimal well-being, we invite you to discover the consultations available at the Institute for Integrative and Systems Health. 

The scientific committee and steering committee

Gérard Ostermann President and also member of the steering committee	Gérard Ostermann has been a professor of therapeutics in internal medicine since 1983 and a specialist in cardiology and angiology since 1979. An eminent figure in the medical field, he also holds degrees in internal medicine, pharmacology, and trained in analytical psychotherapy as well as EMDR, HTSMA , narrative therapy and CBT. Founder and President of the Regional College of Aquitaine Alcoologists (CRAA) and administrator of the French Society of Alcoology, he also chairs the Bordeaux Institute of Eating Behaviors. As a member of the Scientific Council of several specialized journals, he plays a key role in the advancement of knowledge in hypnosis and brief therapies. Active in teaching, he is involved in several university degrees in France and abroad, particularly in the fields of alcoholology, clinical hypnosis, and eating disorders. A recognized trainer at LACT, he also contributes to the transmission of knowledge in systemic therapy. A prolific author, he participates in the writing of several medical journals and is a member of the Société des Gens de Lettres.
Jean-Lionel Bagot	Jean-Lionel Bagot is a general practitioner specializing in integrative oncology. Graduated from the Louis Pasteur University of Strasbourg in 1986, he founded the first consultation in homeopathic supportive care in a University Hospital Center in France. Coordinating physician of the Integrative Health Day Hospital of the Saint-Vincent Hospital Group in Strasbourg, he is also founding president of the International Homeopathic Society for Supportive Care in Oncology (SHISSO). As a teacher at the Strasbourg Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, he contributes to the training of doctors in complementary medicine. Author of several books and articles, he is a major player in the field of integrative care in France.
Julien Betbeze	Julien Betbèze is a child psychiatrist and hospital practitioner at Nantes University Hospital, where he was also head of department. He trained in hypnosis at the Milton Erickson Institute in Paris with several renowned experts, as well as in solution-focused therapy and narrative therapy with figures like Steve de Shazer and Michael White. Julien also trained in systemic family therapy and was one of the first in France to train in EMDR in 1997. As a teacher and trainer, he intervenes in various university degrees and trains health professionals brief therapies and hypnosis. He is currently educational manager of the Arepta-Institut Milton Erickson in Nantes and editor-in-chief of the journal "Hypnosis and brief therapies", thus actively contributing to research and the dissemination of knowledge in his field.
Pierre Bustany	Pierre Bustany is a professor, neurophysiologist and neuropharmacologist, specialist in psychophysiology. Professor of medicine at Caen University Hospital in neuropharmacology, former student of the Ecole Normale Supérieure, Master of Science, Associate of Biochemistry-Physiology, Doctor of Science in neurophysiology, then doctor and Associate of Fundamental Pharmacology, he worked in neuro -brain imaging at the CEA where he created a method for measuring the synthesis of neuronal proteins, particularly in major pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia and brain tumors such as gliomas. He is also a specialist in neuroscience, whose entire history he has followed for many years.
Boris Cyrulnik	Boris Cyrulnik is a renowned French neuropsychiatrist and ethologist. After obtaining his medical degree in 1970, he worked as an intern in various hospitals in France, notably in Marseille and Toulon. Cyrulnik was also a teaching director at the University of Toulon, where he directed a degree in ethology and family systems. He is the author of twenty books on neuropsychiatry and attachment theory, and has received several prestigious awards, including the Prix Renaudot essay in 2008. Commander of the Legion of Honor, he is recognized for his work on resilience and has organized several international conferences on the subject.
Charles Jousselin	Charles Jousselin is a French doctor recognized for his expertise in medical hypnosis and pain management. He has devoted a large part of his career to exploring the therapeutic applications of hypnosis, particularly for the treatment of chronic and acute pain. After obtaining his medical degree, he specialized in algology (study of pain) and pursued specific training in hypnosis, quickly becoming a reference in this field in France. Dr. Jousselin has also participated in numerous clinical research and published several scientific articles on the use of hypnosis as a therapeutic tool. His humanistic approach and his desire to improve the quality of life of patients suffering from intractable pain have made him a respected figure in the medical community. Today, he continues to teach and train new practitioners in medical hypnosis, while continuing his clinical work with patients.
Patrick Lemoine	Patrick Lemoine is a French doctor and psychiatrist, with a doctorate in neuroscience. A recognized specialist in psychiatry and child psychiatry, he worked as a hospital practitioner and head of department. He also directed research units and taught at the Claude Bernard University of Lyon. An expert in clinical pharmacology and former member of several national health commissions, Lemoine has published 43 works, many of which deal with sleep disorders and depression. He continues to teach and practice as a consultant and prolific author.
Julien Nizard	Julien Nizard is a University Professor of therapeutics. A renowned expert in the field of pain, palliative care and integrative medicine, he is currently Vice Dean at the Faculty of Medicine of Nantes. He heads the Pain, Palliative Care and Support Department at Nantes University Hospital, where he implements an integrative approach to care. As a researcher affiliated with UMRS INSERM-Nantes Université-Oniris 1229 RMeS, his work focuses on the evaluation of chronic pain treatments and the use of neuromodulation. President of the CUMIC University College and Vice-President of the College of Pain Teachers, he is also active in continuing education in health, contributing to the advancement of clinical and educational practices in France.
Aliver Ramos Dos Reis	Anivel Ramos Dos Reis is an addictologist and psychotherapist based in Périgueux, Dordogne. Currently head of department of the Addictology Day Hospital and of the ELSA team at the Vauclaire Specialized Hospital Center, he plays a key role in the treatment of addictions in the region. A graduate in general medicine from the University of Limoges, he specialized in addictology and psychiatry at the University of Bordeaux, where he also obtained a university degree in pain treatment. He is recognized for his expertise in emotion-focused therapy and neurocognitive rehabilitation, acquired notably at the Centro Studi Villa Miari in Italy. Alongside his hospital duties, he works in private practice and actively contributes to the training of health professionals and clinical research in addictionology.
Gerard Reach	Gérard Reach is Professor Emeritus at Sorbonne Paris Nord University. A specialist in endocrinology and metabolic diseases, he has devoted a large part of his career to research on the therapeutic relationship, in particular patient non-compliance and the clinical inertia of doctors. He directed several INSERM research units and published more than 400 scientific articles. Author of numerous works, including “ For human medicine ” (2022), he has received distinctions such as the Apollinaire Bouchardat Prize and the Roger Assan Prize. He has also been a member of the National Academy of Medicine since 2023. His current work focuses on improving the caregiver-patient relationship, with an innovative philosophical approach.
Claude de Scorraille also member of the steering committee	Claude de Scorraille is a psychologist, systemologist and co-founder of LACT, where she has also served as president since 2012. Specializing in the management of OCD, in 2021 she created the OCD and Anxiety Disorders Clinic within LACT. His experience includes consultations and supervision in various contexts, including within the CSAPA of Montreuil. An active trainer, she teaches at LACT and supervises students as well as professionals in systemic and strategic approach. She is also a speaker and author of several books, including When work hurts (2017) and Strategies for change (2019).
Jean Benjamin Stora	Jean Benjamin Stora is an internationally renowned psychosomatician and psychoanalyst, Professor Emeritus and Honorary Dean of the Faculty of HEC. He founded the School of Psychosomatics at La Pitié-Salpêtrière as well as the Integrative Psychosomatics consultation, which he directed from 1993 to 2018. Former Co-Director of the Diploma in Integrative Psychosomatics at the Faculty of Medicine at La Pitié-Salpêtrière (UPMC Paris 6), he currently directs the Institute of Integrative Psychosomatics (IPSI). Stora also chaired the IPSO “Pierre Marty” and the French Society of Psychosomatic Medicine.
Alain Toledano	Alain Toledano is an eminent French oncologist and radiotherapist. He is particularly recognized for his innovative approach to integrative health. Founder and president of the Rafaël Institute in Levallois-Perret, a multidisciplinary health center, he also directs the Research Chair in Integrative Health at the CNAM. Former head of clinic at the Paris Hospitals and the cancer center at the American Hospital of Paris, Toledano is also medical director of the Hartmann Institute of Radiosurgery. He was decorated as a Knight of the National Order of Merit for his significant contributions to the medical field.
Fabrice Veron	Fabrice Veron is a doctor of pharmacy specializing in supportive care in oncology. He currently works as a pharmacist at the Pharmacie du Rouret (06650), where he is also president of the CPTS des collines de Valbonne since 2019. A graduate of the Faculty of Pharmacy of Marseille, he completed his training with a master's degree in management and several certifications in therapeutic education. His expertise covers in particular the monitoring of patients on AVK, the management of chronic pathologies such as diabetes, and oncology.
Grégoire Vitry also member   of the steering committee	Grégoire Vitry is a doctor-researcher in psychology, systems scientist and director of the LACT school representing the Palo Alto school. Co-founding president of SYPRES (Syndicate of Systemic Practitioners) since 2020, he is a recognized expert in brief therapy and interventions in the field of complex human relations. He has developed several training programs, including the Clinical Masters in Brief Therapy and two University Diplomas in partnership with the University of Paris 8. Author of numerous books and scientific articles, he is also the initiator of international congresses on systemic approach. SYPRENE systemic research practice network and focuses in particular on the efficiency of systemic approaches in the treatment of mental health disorders.
Eve Villemur	Eve Villemur is a doctor specializing in homeopathy, nutrition, micro-nutrition, and psychotherapy. Graduated in homeopathy from the CEDH and in acupuncture from the CASOF, she is an expert in behavioral support for overweight people, having received training in Canada and in Toulouse. A teacher for more than 20 years in France, she shares her expertise in the medical management of overweight, including nutritional and behavioral approaches. Co-author of Weight Loss with Behavioral Nutrition and author of Weight Loss Thanks to My Three Brains, she is also co-creator of the ESTEAM© software, which highlights psycho-behavioral resistance to change

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External links in health and integrative medicine

French-speaking sites

• Documentary resources on integrative medicine
  cumic.fr/ressources
• Center for Integrative Medicine for Cancer
  institut-rafael.fr/medecine-integrative/
• Article on integrative medicine and its practices
  passportsante.net/fr/Therapies/Guide/Fiche.aspx?doc=medecine-integrative_th
• European College of Integrative Medicine
  https://ecim.pro/
• Institute of Environmental Medicine (IME)
  https://www.fonds-ime.org/
• Article from Le Monde on integrative medicine
  https://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2022/11/10/il-est-temps-d-accorder-une-place-raisonnee-aux-medecines-alternatives-dans -the-care-system_6149270_3232.html
• Integrative therapy
  https://www.psychologie-integrative.com/therapie-integrative/
• Swiss Medical Review - Integrative medicine in pediatric oncology
  https://www.revmed.ch/revue-medicale-suisse/2020/revue-medicale-suisse-716/medecine-integrative-en-oncologie-pediatric
• Swiss Medical Review - Integrative medicine: what has changed in 2023
  https://www.revmed.ch/revue-medicale-suisse/2024/revue-medicale-suisse-859/medecine-integrative-ce-qui-a-change -in-2023
• Swiss Medical Review - Breast cancer: perspectives of integrative medicine
  https://www.revmed.ch/revue-medicale-suisse/2020/revue-medicale-suisse-695/cancer-du-sein-perspectives-de-medecine- integrative
• Swiss Medical Review - Integrative medicine and geriatrics: towards convergence?
  https://www.revmed.ch/revue-medicale-suisse/2023/revue-medicale-suisse-848/medecine-integrative-et-geriatrie-vers-une-convergence
• Swiss Medical Review - Integrative medicine: what changed in 2022
  https://www.revmed.ch/revue-medicale-suisse/2023/revue-medicale-suisse-809-810/medecine-integrative-ce-qui-a -changes-in-2022
• Swiss Medical Review - Scientific literature concerning integrative medicine in 2020
  https://www.revmed.ch/revue-medicale-suisse/2021/revue-medicale-suisse-723/litterature-scientifique-concernant-la-medecine-integrative- in-2020
• Doctor, I would like a natural treatment: what's new in integrative medicine in 2022?
  https://www.revmed.ch/colloques/docteur-j-aimer-un-traitement-naturel-quoi-de-neuf-en-medecine-integrative-en-20222
• Guide to integrative medicine (Mayo Clinic)
  https://www.revmed.ch/livres/guide-de-medecine-integrative-mayo-clinic#tab=tab-shop
• Pain webinar: integrative medicine in analgesia
  https://www.revmed.ch/agenda/webinaire-douleur-medecine-integrative-en-antalgie
• CHUV
  https://www.chuv.ch/fr/anesthesiologie/alg-home/patients-et-familles/centre-de-medecine-integrative-et-complementaire
• Integrative medicine, for a global approach to health
  https://www.avenirsantemutuelle.fr/ma-sante-et-moi/thema-sante/la-medecine-integrative-pour-une-approach-globale-de-la -health/
• Integrative psychotherapy
  https://www.doctissimo.fr/psychologie/therapies/psychotherapie-integrative
• Actusoins - Integrative Medicine in Nursing
  https://www.actusoins.com/349995/les-soins-traditionnels-sont-entres-a-lhopital-de-tahiti.html
• Directory of complementary therapies in France
  https://therapies-complementaires.com/
• Health Nature Innovation - Resources on integrative medicine
  santenatureinnovation.com/
• Free Academy of Integrative Medicine
  https://acalmi.ch/
• French Federation of Naturopathy - Integrative Medicine
  https://lafena.fr/
• Nice Observatory of Non-Conventional Medicine
  https://www.omcnc.fr/
• The Observatory of Complementary and Non-Conventional Medicine
  https://hal.science/hal-03304267/

International Sites

• Harvard Health Publishing - Integrative Medicine Section
  https://www.health.harvard.edu/search?content%5Bquery%5D=integrative+medicine
• Cleveland Clinic - Center for Integrative & Lifestyle Medicine
  my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/wellness/integrative
• Mayo Clinic - Complementary and Integrative Medicine
  https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/complementary-alternative-medicine/about/pac-20393581
• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
  nccih.nih.gov/
• Institute for Functional Medicine - Training in functional and integrative medicine
  ifm.org/
• Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine (AIHM)
  aihm.org/
• International Society for Complementary Medicine Research (ISCMR)
  iscmr.org/
• Duke Integrative Medicine - Duke University
  dukeintegrativemedicine.org/
• Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine - University of Arizona
  integrativemedicine.arizona.edu/
• Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO)
  integrativeonc.org/
• American Holistic Health Association (AHHA)
  ahha.org/
• Memorial Sloan Kettering - Integrative Medicine Service
  mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine
• Mount Sinai - Integrative Health Programs
  https://www.mountsinai.org/patient-care/service-areas/community-medicine/integrative-medicine
• University of California, San Francisco - Osher Center for Integrative Medicine
  osher.ucsf.edu/
• University of Michigan - Integrative Medicine
  https://www.michiganmedicine.org/search-app?search=integrative+medicine&sm_site_name=About+Michigan+Medicine
• Johns Hopkins Medicine - Integrative Medicine & Digestive Center
  https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/integrative-medicine
• Stanford Medicine - Center for Integrative Medicine
  stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-clinics/integrative-medicine-center.html
• National Institute of Integrative Medicine (NIIM)
  niim.com.au/
• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
  https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/our-services/our-hospitals/royal-london-hospital-integrated-medicine
• Center for Integrative Medicine - University of Toronto
  https://temertymedicine.utoronto.ca/news/ut-announces-new-chair-integrative-medicine
• Australasian Integrative Medicine Association (AIMA)
  aima.net.au/
• British Holistic Medical Association (BHMA)
  bhma.org/
• Integrative Medicine - Vanderbilt University
  https://www.vumc.org/dietetic-internship-health-promotion/integrative-health
• University of Minnesota - Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing
  csh.umn.edu/
• Integrative Medicine - Northwestern Medicine
  nm.org/conditions-and-care-areas/integrative-medicine
• University of Pittsburgh - Center for Integrative Medicine
  https://www.pitt.edu/search-results?q=integrative+medicine
• University of Wisconsin Integrative Health
  https://www.fammed.wisc.edu/integrative/
• The George Washington University Center for Integrative Medicine
  smhs.gwu.edu/integrative-medicine
• Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine
  scripps.org/services/integrative-medicine
• Bastyr University - Natural Health and Integrative Medicine
  bastyr.edu/
• Thomas Jefferson University - Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine
  https://www.jefferson.edu/academics/colleges-schools-institutes/skmc/departments/integrative-medicine.html
• NYU Langone Health - Integrative Health Programs
  https://nyulangone.org/search?q=integrative+medicine
• Houston Methodist - Wellness & Integrative Medicine
  https://www.houstonmethodist.org/search-results/?searchterm=integrative%20medecine
• Integrative Medicine for Mental Health (IMMH)
  immh.org/
• Memorial Healthcare System - Integrative Medicine
  mhs.net/services/integrative-medicine

External links in systemic approach

• Lact: https://www.lact.fr/
• Union of Systems Practitioners, France: www.sypres.org
• Centro di Terapia Strategica, Arezzo, Italy : www.centroditerapiastrategica.com
• Mental Research Institute: www.mri.org
• Milton H. Erickson Foundation, Phoenix, Arizona : www.erickson-foundation.org
• Ackerman Institute for the Family, New York : www.ackerman.org
• UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autonoma de México), Mexico : www.unam.mx
• Centro de Terapia Sistemica y Estratégica, Chile : www.terapiasistemica.cl
• Milton H. Erickson Institute in Brussels, Belgium : www.erickson.be
• European Brief Therapy Association (EBTA) : www.ebta.eu
• European Family Therapy Association (EFTA) : www.efta-tic.eu
• Institut für Systemische Therapie, Berlin, Germany : www.systemischetherapie-berlin.de
• Family Therapy Centre, Melbourne : https://www.williamsroad.vic.edu.au/
• Systemic Therapy Institute, New Zealand : https://www.nzfti.com/menu.php
• Family Therapy Center, Morocco : https://www.psychologuerabatmaroc.org/?page_id=12
• Israel Institute of Systemic Therapy, Israel : https://www.ifs-israel.org/
• International Society of Family Therapy (IFTA) : https://www.ifta-familytherapy.org/
• Global Association for Systemic Therapy (GAST) : www.gast.org
• The Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice, UK : www.aft.org.uk
• Association of Systemic Therapists: http://www.ast.org.rs/en/about.htm
• French Society of Family Therapy : https://www.sftf.net/
• Family Therapy : www.therapie-familiale.org
• IFR Palo Alto: https://ifr-therapie-breve.fr/
• Virages: https://www.virages-formations.com/
• IGB: https://www.igb-mri.com/
• APRTF: https://www.aprtfformations.fr/
• Systematic Training Institute, France : http://ifsmb.fr/
• French Institute of Brief Therapy, France : www.therapiebreve.fr
• Training Center in Systemic and Family Therapy, Belgium : www.systemique.be
• European Society for Family Therapy : www.efta-tic.eu

Version dated 06-11-2024