Mind-Body Medicine: What Is The Difference Between Holistic And Traditional Therapy?

Holistic therapy is an approach that incorporates complementary and alternative treatments into conventional forms of mental health care. In addition to addressing mental health concerns, holistic therapy seeks to promote physical, spiritual, and social wellness. While holistic therapy and traditional therapy can overlap in many ways, there are distinct differences between the two forms of care. Below, we’re discussing the difference between holistic and traditional therapy, providing an overview of each to help you decide which approach might be right for you. 

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What is holistic therapy? Exploring integrative medicine

As its name suggests, holistic therapy—a type of integrative therapy or integrative medicine—is a form of mental health care that attempts to treat the whole person, as opposed to only their mental or physical well-being. Holistic therapists often seek to help participants understand the connections between their mental, spiritual, social, and physical health. This is often achieved by incorporating a wide range of complementary and alternative treatment methods. For example, a holistic therapist may utilize not only a traditional talk therapy modality like psychodynamic therapy but also techniques like massage therapy, deep-breathing exercises, and/or mindfulness. 

A key concept underlying the use of holistic therapy is the mind-body connection, which is the interweaving of mental and physical health. The mind-body connection is thought to be at play, for example, when we experience heightened physiological arousal during periods of anxiety or episodes of depression linked to a physical illness. 

Holistic therapy is a way of helping a client use the mind-body connection to their advantage to simultaneously address emotional, physical, and spiritual challenges. For example, someone with anxiety may engage in meditation as part of holistic treatment. By being guided to quiet their mind and relax their body, the client may be able to reduce their nervousness and worry (potential emotional benefits), alleviate physical tension and pain (potential physiological benefits), and even connect with their purpose and meaning (potential spiritual benefits). 

Potential benefits of integrative medicine

A primary potential benefit of integrative approaches like holistic therapy is that they can provide a more tailored form of mental health care. By pulling in techniques from a wide range of modalities, integrative medicine practitioners are often well-positioned to address each specific concern a client has. 

Another potential benefit is that many holistic treatments are easy to incorporate into daily life. Techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing, and yoga are noninvasive, often involving simple movements or stillness. Additionally, these techniques can usually be practiced at home with no equipment, meaning a person may not have to go to an office or buy anything. 

An overview of the mind-body connection

If you’ve ever physically tensed up during periods of stress, you likely already understand that your physical and emotional well-being are linked. As discussed above, the mind-body connection refers to the complex associations between mental and physical health. Many people expand this concept to include spiritual health, referring to the mind-body-spirit connection. 

Researchers still know relatively little about the mechanisms through which our bodies and minds are connected. However, some experts have discovered potential links. In one study, for instance, researchers found significant overlap in the brain regions that are responsible for thought, motor function, and executive function. This finding may help explain why certain techniques, such as deep breathing, can have a calming effect on both the mind and body. 

As the scientific explanations for the mind-body connection are being uncovered, traditional medicine is becoming more accepting of holistic techniques like yoga and mindfulness. However, holistic practitioners are often more flexible during the therapeutic process—a primary difference between holistic and traditional medicine. 

What is traditional therapy? Understanding conventional medicine

Traditional therapy is a form of conventional medicine that involves widely accepted treatment methods for mental health challenges. Conventional medicine typically involves psychotherapeutic and pharmacotherapeutic solutions for mental health challenges. For example, treatment plans for depression usually center around a form of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), often in combination with an antidepressant medication, such as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). 

There are many other modalities a conventional practitioner may employ when providing mental health care, such as brain stimulation therapies or art therapy. Sometimes, these providers might also suggest that clients incorporate alternative strategies like yoga or meditation into their everyday lives. However, they may not administer a treatment plan that specifically involves these approaches. Mental health professionals who practice traditional medicine may be medical doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, counselors, or social workers.  

Potential benefits of conventional medicine

One of the primary benefits of traditional therapeutic modalities is that they have typically been thoroughly researched, tested, and approved for use by experts. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—a form of talk therapy—is considered the gold standard of treatment for a range of mental health disorders. Many experts and professional organizations agree that CBT can often be effective for conditions like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

What is the difference between holistic and traditional therapy?

Holistic therapy is centered around treating the whole person as opposed to only their mental health symptoms. While traditional therapy typically focuses on the emotional and cognitive challenges an individual experiences, holistic therapy may attempt to address concerns related to their social, spiritual, and physical health as well. Holistic therapists often utilize conventional treatments while also incorporating alternative and complementary treatments. These alternative practices may include mindfulness meditation, deep-breathing exercises, acupuncture, tai chi, and a range of other disciplines. 

Many traditional therapists apply an integrative approach, utilizing principles from different psychotherapeutic modalities. However, the breadth of treatment methods they use may be limited compared to the different techniques involved in a holistic approach to treatment. 

While traditional therapy often focuses solely on challenges related to an individual’s mood, thought processes, and behavior, holistic therapy may also attempt to address their search for purpose in life, social challenges, or even their relationship with religion or spirituality. Additionally, holistic therapists frequently invite the client to take a more active role in their care. For example, holistic therapy often involves a person-centered approach to psychotherapy in which the participant helps dictate the therapeutic process. 

Another key difference between holistic and traditional therapy is that holistic therapies are not yet as widely studied as conventional therapies, particularly in the western world. There are few studies that demonstrate the benefits of holistic treatment, while there are numerous studies pointing to the efficacy of conventional psychotherapy, certain medications, and other traditional therapies. This has led some experts to conclude that there is insufficient evidence for the efficacy of some alternative therapies (e.g., energy healing). 

Holistic therapy techniques: Mindfulness, massage therapy, and others

Using both traditional psychotherapy and complementary and alternative approaches, holistic therapy can help treat a range of mental and physical health concerns. The following are commonly utilized holistic therapy techniques.

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy is typically an important component of holistic treatment. During psychotherapy, the client and therapist can work together to identify the sources of mental health concerns, develop coping strategies, and navigate life challenges. There are several psychotherapeutic modalities that may be utilized during holistic therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and client-centered therapy. 

Mindfulness

A form of meditation, mindfulness helps individuals bring their attention to the present moment through an increased awareness of their thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. Mindfulness can help people practice nonjudgmental awareness, allowing them to accept their emotions and sensations without attaching a value to them. This practice may help alleviate guilt and other challenging feelings as participants continue on their healing journey. 

Yoga, tai chi, and other mind-body exercises

Mind-body exercises typically involve purposeful movements, deep breathing, and meditation, making them ideal for individuals who want to take a holistic approach to their health. Research suggests that such practices may provide emotional and physical benefits. There is evidence, for example, that tai chi may enhance cognition, reduce pain, decrease symptoms of physical illnesses, and improve overall quality of life. 

Massage therapy

Many mental health challenges also involve physical tension, chronic pain, and a weakened immune response. Massage therapy may sometimes help improve these physiological concerns through targeted pressure on the body’s soft tissues. 

Pursuing comprehensive mental health care through online therapy

If you’d like to learn more about the difference between holistic and traditional therapy, consider getting matched with a licensed therapist online. Connecting with a therapist can be a constructive next step as you work to foster emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness. 

An online mental health care provider can help you understand the difference between holistic and traditional therapy

With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can explore the mind-body connection with a licensed therapist remotely, through video call, voice call, or in-app messaging. That means you don’t have to commute to and from an in-person therapy office, which can save money and stress and may also promote increased comfort during your sessions.

The effectiveness of online therapy 

Research suggests that online therapy may help participants engage in holistic therapy treatments to address common mental health challenges. For example, in one study, researchers suggest that an online mindfulness-based stress reduction program led to improvements in mental health, self-image, and self-efficacy in participants with breast cancer. The study also mentions the ability of online therapy platforms to remove some common barriers to treatment, such as financial constraints, geographical limitations, and scheduling challenges. 

Takeaway

The body and mind are connected through several well-established links. Holistic medicine helps participants tend to these connections, involving a comprehensive approach to treating mental and physical health challenges. If you’d like to explore the mind-body connection, consider connecting with a licensed therapist.