How A Holistic Therapist Can Help You Find Balance

Holistic therapists are professionals with expertise in improving physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being through non-invasive methods. By embracing a wide range of holistic techniques and modalities, they can provide personalized treatment to help individuals improve wellness in many aspects of a person’s life. To understand holistic therapy, exploring this method's principles and discussing the benefits of working with a provider to achieve balance, harmony, and lasting well-being may be valuable.

What is the holistic approach in psychology? 

From breathwork techniques to acupuncture, holistic therapy acknowledges that physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of health are interconnected and that nurturing these dimensions can benefit health and well-being. Holistic therapy works by encouraging an understanding of oneself and one's surroundings, emphasizing the benefits of balance and harmony.

What is the role of holistic therapists?

Holistic therapists are skilled professionals who employ various therapeutic techniques and modalities to promote relaxation and emotional regulation while helping to support their clients in achieving balance and harmony in all the aspects of their lives. They help their clients explore and understand factors contributing to well-being, including lifestyle choices, relationships, and personal beliefs. 

What makes a holistic therapist's approach different?

Their approach to therapeutic treatment sets them apart from others, as a holistic therapist will focus on addressing a whole person rather than concentrating solely on specific symptoms or issues.

In contrast, other therapists, like a family therapist, may specialize in a particular area, such as family relationships, posttraumatic stress disorder, substance use disorder, or the impacts of trauma. 

Whiletraditional therapists might use some similar therapeutic techniques, they often rely more on conventional methods like traditional talk therapy or pharmacological treatments. Holistic therapists may be more open to incorporating alternative therapies like herbal medicine, acupuncture, breath therapy, or Reiki into clients' treatment plans. 

Holistic therapy techniques for physical and mental health

Holistic practices and techniques may involve mechanisms from several therapeutic modalities to support clients in a healing journey, including but not limited to the following. 

Mind-body practices like yoga, tai chi, massage therapy, meditation, mindfulness practices, and deep breathing techniques can help individuals develop a more significant awareness of their bodies and emotions while fostering relaxation and stress relief. Research has shown that yoga may improve sleep and be an effective complementary treatment to help clients maximize the benefits of treatment for severe mental illness.

Holistic energy healing

Energy healing techniques like Reiki or acupuncture are complementary therapies that may rebalance the body's energy field and promote natural healing. For those who practice a specific spiritual faith or believe in the potential impacts of energy on health, such practices may be effective alongside traditional modalities. 

Nutritional counseling 

Nutritional therapy is a type of integrative treatment that may support you in making healthy dietary choices that nourish your body and promote overall well-being.

Talk therapy

Talk therapy can encourage clients to explore and express emotions, fostering emotional resilience and self-awareness.

Expressive therapy

Expressive therapies, such as art, music, or dance therapy, provide a creative outlet for clients to process and communicate thoughts and feelings.

The advantages of holistic therapy with a holistic therapist

Complementary and alternative medicine treatments may provide a wide range of benefits for individuals seeking balance and harmony. One advantage is potential improvement of physical health. Alternative medicine and holistic therapy seeks to address underlying causes of illness while promoting healthier lifestyle choices. Holistic therapy can help support individuals who desire to enhance overall well-being during the healing process.

Another benefit may be a potential enhancement of emotional well-being. Through practices like self-reflection and emotional exploration, clients can gain a more profound understanding of complex emotions and develop healthier coping strategies to manage stress. Treatment may be especially impactful during vulnerable periods, and holistic therapy has shown promise in helping women alleviate symptoms of psychological disorders during the postpartum period in clinical holistic medicine studies.

Lastly, spiritual growth may be a central focus. By nurturing spiritual aspects of an individual's life, this modality can help clients connect with inner wisdom, leading to a heightened sense of purpose and meaning. 

Counseling options for holistic psychotherapy

Finding holistic therapists might be difficult if you face geographical limitations, mobility issues, or time constraints. In such cases, you may find more options through an online therapy platform like BetterHelp. 

Online therapy can be a compatible option for holistic therapy since it offers several advantages that cater to needs of individuals seeking balance and harmony in life. Online therapy's flexible nature enables clients to connect with their therapists at their convenience, accommodating those with busy schedules or who require additional support. Engaging in therapy within one's own home may create a more relaxed environment for some individuals, encouraging open communication and making it easier to discuss sensitive topics. 

A review published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research examined the efficacy of internet-based interventions for mental health challenges, including those addressed by holistic therapy. The findings indicated that online therapy could lead to significant improvements in mental health outcomes with effects comparable to those observed with in-person therapy. Online therapy has the potential to be an effective means of delivering this approach, enabling clients to experience meaningful and lasting improvements in overall well-being.