The Holistic Approach To Mental Health Care: Exploring Holistic Health And Therapy
Overall wellness depends on several different dimensions of health, including emotional, physical, spiritual, cognitive, and social well-being—all of which are thought to be closely connected. Holistic health care seeks to address these varied contributors, treating the client as a whole as opposed to only addressing a specific set of symptoms. But what does holistic therapy entail, and is it an effective form of care? Below, we’re providing an overview of holistic health and therapy, detailing the therapeutic process, some techniques used during care, and the options you have for participating in this form of treatment.
What is holistic therapy?
Holistic psychotherapy is an approach to healthcare geared toward treating the whole individual. Many forms of care focus on a single aspect of a person’s physical or mental health, focusing on one specific disorder, life challenge, or other concern. Holistic treatment, though, seeks to treat several dimensions of an individual’s well-being simultaneously, potentially addressing their emotional, physical, spiritual, social, and cognitive health at the same time through multiple approaches.
Holistic therapy and the mind-body connection
Holistic therapy is centered around the mind-body connection—the complex interweaving of the mental and physical systems we rely on to function. Modalities that relate to this connection, such as meditation and yoga, may help individuals foster wellness in a more comprehensive manner, particularly when combined with more mainstream treatments like talk therapy or medications.
Holistic therapists incorporate such techniques into the psychotherapeutic process to potentially promote a range of positive mental and physical outcomes. Research suggests that strategies that take advantage of the mind-body connection may improve cognitive function and memory, reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, and enhance subjective well-being.
Holistic approaches to care typically employ several techniques from a variety of disciplines within both traditional and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). In addition to psychotherapy, holistic therapists often recommend mind-body exercises (e.g., tai chi), bodywork techniques (e.g., massage therapy), herbal medicines (e.g., aromatherapy), and/or creative arts therapies (e.g., dance therapy).
Note that many experts suggest pursuing traditional, evidence-based forms of therapy prior to or in addition to engaging in CAM approaches. If you’re already participating in conventional treatment, a healthcare professional may help you determine whether complementary methods of care could benefit you.
Types of holistic health and therapy professionals
Many different types of healthcare professionals can provide holistic therapy services. A holistic therapy team may include a primary care physician, psychologist, social worker, psychiatrist, mental health counselor, and/or marriage and family counselor. Or, some holistic therapy professionals have experience with both traditional medicine and alternative medicine, allowing them to provide a range of services themselves.
Understanding the mind-body connection
Once considered an unproven theory, the mind-body connection is now a widely accepted concept that informs research in biology, medicine, mental health, and many other fields. The mind-body connection helps explain some of the phenomena we regularly encounter. For example, when we experience nervousness and worry, we often exhibit physical responses—sweating, rapid heart rate, etc.—that accompany our emotions.
How the mind-body connection forms the foundation of the holistic approach
The mind-body connection also helps explain why certain techniques may help address mental, physical, spiritual, and social challenges at the same time. For example, research suggests that mindfulness meditation may help improve symptoms of psychiatric disorders, enhance cognition, alleviate physical health concerns, and improve social functioning. By guiding clients through techniques like mindfulness, holistic therapists may be able to harness the various manifestations of the mind-body connection to promote client wellness.
Holistic health and therapy techniques
A wide variety of modalities can be incorporated into the holistic therapy process. The following are some common types of treatment that holistic therapists may use.
Talk therapy
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, allows clients to talk through their mental health and life challenges in a structured way. Talk therapy typically plays a central role in the therapeutic process. There are many different modalities practitioners may use during therapy sessions, such cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and many others.
In addition to traditional talk therapy, certain alternative therapies may help alleviate symptoms of some mental health conditions. For example, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a modality that may help participants process traumatic memories, potentially reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Mind-body exercises
Techniques that engage the mind and body simultaneously are often core components of holistic treatment plans. Many mind-body exercises have been used around the world for centuries to help address various mental and physical challenges. For example, tai chi is a practice that’s part of traditional Chinese medicine and involves slow, purposeful movements, deep breathing, and meditation. This practice may help reduce stress and symptoms of depression and improve cognition. It’s thought that early versions of tai chi were developed in the third century.
Meditation
Mindfulness and other forms of meditation are frequently incorporated into holistic health programs. Quieting the mind, relaxing the body, and breathing deeply can provide many potential benefits to holistic therapy participants. Research suggests that meditation may help reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, improve sleep, lower blood pressure, and reduce body pain.
Bodywork
A holistic approach may also involve modalities meant primarily to address physical pain, such as acupuncture or massage therapy. This is because mental and physical symptoms frequently have a bidirectional relationship, meaning each can cause or worsen the other. For example, a physical challenge like chronic pain can cause or contribute to depression, and depressive symptoms can lead to or exacerbate pain.
By alleviating physical pain through bodywork modalities, holistic health practitioners may also help clients prevent mental and physical health concerns from compounding. A holistic therapist may use reflexology, Reiki, craniosacral therapy, Emotional Freedom Technique, or other practices when engaging in bodywork for their clients.
How holistic therapy works
Typically, holistic therapy starts with an evaluation by a provider or a team of professionals. The client will usually participate in an interview in which they’ll be asked about their symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle. Holistic health providers may also conduct various assessments using psychological evaluations, physical examinations, and other diagnostic tools. In addition to concerns related to an individual’s physical and mental health, issues related to their spiritual, social, occupational, and financial health may also surface.
Once the primary concerns have been identified, the holistic medicine team or provider may begin putting together a treatment plan, which may involve several of the above-mentioned modalities. For example, a treatment plan for a particular client might involve cognitive behavioral therapy, yoga, mindfulness, and acupuncture.
As therapy progresses, the team or provider can monitor the participant’s progress to determine whether their treatment plan needs to be altered. Modalities may be added to or cut from their program as needed to ensure they have the best chance of experiencing positive outcomes.
How to find holistic therapists
If you’re interested in participating in holistic therapy, consider consulting with your primary care physician or another healthcare professional. A mental health or medical professional can provide you with an evaluation and suggest next steps accordingly.
Finding a holistic therapist near you
Then, you can start your search for a holistic professional by looking for local holistic therapy clinics or similar facilities in your area. Holistic providers may also work at hospitals, community centers, wellness institutes, and individual practices.
As you search for professionals, it can help to know what to look for when it comes to qualifications. Holistic health providers may have a broad range of designations, degrees, and practice areas. If you know what discipline you’re looking to engage in, you can research the therapists who typically administer it as well as the qualifications those professionals usually hold. For example, therapists who conduct cognitive behavioral therapy will typically need to have a master’s degree and a license from their state board, among other qualifications.
Before starting therapy, consider requesting a consultation so that you can learn more about a provider’s specialty, credentials, and experience.
Connecting with holistic therapists online
While some holistic therapy techniques (e.g., acupuncture) require in-person sessions, many modalities can be conducted virtually as well. Participants can often engage in therapist-guided psychotherapy, mindfulness, yoga, breathwork, or art therapy programs remotely. To participate in online holistic therapy, you can find an individual provider who offers remote sessions or use an online therapy platform.
How online therapy can help you take a holistic approach to your health
If you’d like to learn more about holistic therapy, consider working with an experienced therapist online. An online therapist can help you develop healthy coping techniques and learn how your mental health may be connected to other facets of your overall well-being.
Exploring holistic therapy with a mental health professional virtually
With a platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched and then meet with a licensed therapist from anywhere you have an internet connection, which is more convenient than commuting to and from in-person appointments for many. BetterHelp also allows you to message your therapist outside of sessions and they’ll respond as soon as they can, which can be helpful if you want to clarify a point made during therapy or ask a question about a holistic therapy concept. Additionally, your therapist may connect you with useful resources, such as at-home exercises geared toward mindfulness, deep breathing, or other mind-body techniques.
The efficacy of online therapy
Research suggests that online therapy can help individuals effectively learn and practice holistic therapeutic exercises, potentially leading to positive outcomes in several dimensions of health. For example, in a study on the efficacy of an online mind-body intervention, participants reported experiencing improved psychological coping, social engagement, and positive health behaviors. This led researchers to conclude that such treatment modalities “have potential to address the behavioral, psychological, and social challenges faced by patients.”
Takeaway
A holistic approach to care involves simultaneously addressing concerns related to multiple aspects of client well-being. Holistic therapists treat the whole person by employing psychotherapy, mind-body techniques, and a wide range of other strategies. If you’d like to receive comprehensive mental health care, consider working with an online therapist online. With the right support and guidance, you may be able to foster improved emotional, spiritual, and cognitive wellness.
What does holistic therapy do?
Holistic therapy is typically focused on cultivating a mind-body-spirit connection and achieving balance between these parts of the self. It can be a transformative experience that improves overall health and mental well-being through a variety of practices, such as talk therapy, mindfulness, nutrition counseling, somatic methods, and more. Sometimes, holistic therapy may even incorporate parent coaching and family therapy.
What are the holistic health treatments?
A few holistic health treatments include acupuncture, yoga, Reiki, aromatherapy, meditation, and massage. This therapeutic approach can provide a supportive environment that reduces symptoms of various health problems and promotes physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
What degree do you need to be a holistic therapist?
It’s usually necessary to get at least a master’s degree to become a licensed therapist. Many holistic therapists undergo additional training as well.
Who needs holistic therapy?
Holistic therapy can benefit many people as it’s highly customizable. It can reduce stress, increase self-esteem, address substance use disorder, treat trauma-related disorders, and help with depression and anxiety, among other concerns.
What is the most popular holistic therapy?
Reflexology is often listed as the most popular holistic therapy. Practices that calm the nervous system, such as yoga and tai chi, are also frequently used.
What happens in a typical holistic therapy session?
A “typical” holistic therapy session doesn’t necessarily exist, as people seek this type of individual therapy for various purposes. The modalities used in holistic therapy are carefully chosen by the practitioner to address the root causes of the client’s concerns and promote healing.
Is massage a holistic therapy?
Massage can be viewed as a type of holistic therapy. It can also be a form of self-care with many benefits.
What does holistic health include?
Holistic health generally includes a person’s physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being. The first session with a holistic therapist may involve discussing each of these areas of your health and determining your goals.
What should you look for in a holistic therapist?
In the US, holistic therapists should be licensed. It’s also important that you feel comfortable with the therapist, as a strong therapeutic alliance typically leads to better outcomes.
How can you start holistic health?
You can start to address your health holistically by taking time for introspection, considering each area of well-being and how you’d like to improve it. You can then choose strategies to address each of these areas of improvement.
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