The Importance Of Holistic Therapy In Improving Mental Health
In recent years, the demand for holistic therapy has risen significantly across the United States. Increasing numbers of psychotherapists now offer integrative health techniques as part of a holistic treatment plan for various mental health conditions. Holistic therapy techniques vary according to the needs of each person, but they often have profound effects on a person’s physical and mental health. Keep reading to learn more about the importance of holistic therapy for mental health and overall well-being.
The holistic approach and the mind-body-spirit connection
The holistic approach to therapy typically seeks to treat the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Holistic therapists tend to view these three facets as being interconnected. When one is out of balance, it can affect the other two. This idea has a strong emphasis in various holistic medicine traditions, including Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). By addressing the whole person, holistic therapists may promote mental, physical, and spiritual healing and growth.
The importance of holistic therapy: What are the benefits of holistic therapy?
Holistic therapy can be employed to address a variety of mental disorders, including anxiety and depression. It’s often about more than just curing illness. Holistic therapy may help people restore a sense of inner balance, which can lead to stress relief and improvement in daily function. This can also lead to a significant reduction in physical manifestations of stress.
What happens during holistic therapy?
Holistic therapy treatment can vary considerably, depending on the needs of the person and the methods used by the therapist. Some holistic therapists might use hands-on modalities with patients, whereas others might use practices that focus on mental and emotional health, which can, in turn, affect a person’s physical wellness. Therapists often mix techniques according to the evolving needs of each client.
Meditation
Meditation is one holistic approach that therapists might incorporate into sessions. A holistic therapist can choose from a variety of meditation techniques, according to the needs of each person. Some may use a technique called mindfulness meditation, which is sometimes called Vipassana.
During mindfulness meditation, the therapist typically guides the client in the practice of observing thoughts without judgment as they come and go. Many people experience distress or guilt related to thoughts that arise throughout the day. With mindfulness meditation, a therapist may be able to help them stop identifying with their thoughts, which may lead to significant stress relief and improved overall health.
Yoga
Some psychotherapists incorporate yoga into their therapy approaches. Research suggests that yoga can help with stress relief, which can improve a person’s mental health and well-being. During sessions, therapists might teach clients various yoga practices to integrate into their everyday routines to reduce stress. As an added benefit, yoga may increase flexibility and energy levels, which can, in turn, increase positive emotions.
Somatic therapy
Holistic therapists might use somatic therapy to help people with trauma, anxiety, grief, or depression. One type of somatic therapy is called somatic experiencing, which was created by Dr. Peter Levine. The idea of the freeze response tends to be central to somatic experiencing.
While many researchers have studied the fight-or-flight response to a stressful situation, less has been written about the freeze response. The fight-or-flight mechanism can help someone confront or escape from a dangerous or traumatic situation, but a person who experiences the freeze response may stay trapped in the stress response without expending built-up energy, as typically occurs with the fight-or-flight response. This can contribute to numerous mental and physical symptoms.
Somatic experiencing may address the physical symptoms of trauma so that a person can address the psychological symptoms, empowering them to overcome the freeze response. A holistic therapist might use a variety of somatic experiencing techniques, such as body scanning, titration, and pendulation. A person who undergoes somatic experiencing may experience fewer physical and emotional symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health disorders.
Seeking holistic therapy for mental health
Individuals looking for a psychotherapist who practices holistic treatment methods may be able to find a professional in their local community by searching online with terms like “holistic psychotherapy” or “integrative psychotherapy.” Some holistic therapists have websites explaining the specific approaches that they use.
Online holistic therapy
Some people might not feel comfortable with traditional in-person holistic therapy. Others might not have many holistic therapists available in their local community. In these cases, holistic therapy may be accessed through online therapy platforms. For example, BetterHelp can match individuals with a holistic therapist. BetterHelp users can also choose their preferred communication method for therapy, including audio, video, and live chat.
Not much research exists on the efficacy of online holistic therapy. One 2023 study reported that complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAIM), which is an umbrella term that includes holistic therapy, could be delivered effectively through telemedicine. The study suggested that CAIM delivered via telemedicine often leads to positive health outcomes.
Takeaway
Holistic therapy can have a significant impact on mental health by addressing the needs of the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. Holistic therapists sometimes use body-focused techniques that promote mental and emotional healing, as well as mental and spiritual techniques that can enhance overall well-being. Holistic therapy may help with a variety of mental disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can be accessed locally or through an online therapy platform.
What are some of the main benefits of holistic therapy (mind-body-spirit therapy)?
Holistic therapy can address a person’s physical, mental, and spiritual needs. A holistic therapist may be able to not only treat a mental illness but also help a person achieve mental clarity and inner balance.
What’s the importance of holistic therapy for mental health?
Holistic therapy may help a person gain a deeper understanding of how their mental and physical health are connected. A therapist may combine traditional talk therapy methods with integrative health techniques to relieve physical and emotional symptoms. Holistic therapy may lead to significant improvements in mental health conditions, in addition to helping people grow and develop more self-awareness.
Can a holistic approach help with addictions?
Holistic therapy may help with addiction treatment by addressing a person’s physical and emotional needs. Some therapists may use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to address inaccurate thoughts and beliefs and recommend complementary therapy with integrative approaches like massage therapy or acupuncture for addiction.
Are holistic therapists licensed?
Psychotherapists who practice holistic methods typically have a license to practice talk therapy in general, not necessarily holistic therapy. However, some therapists might have specific training or a certificate in certain holistic modalities. You might consider asking prospective holistic therapists about their licensure and training.
What is the most popular form of holistic therapy?
It may be difficult to identify the single most popular form of holistic therapy, but reflexology tends to be popular. Reflexology refers to the practice of addressing various illnesses by manipulating specific points in the hands, feet, and ears.
Who benefits from holistic therapy?
Anyone can benefit from holistic therapy, but it’s common for people to seek this kind of complementary and integrative health treatment to address physical pain and mental health disorders. For instance, holistic therapy may help with post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder (formerly referred to as substance abuse). Holistic therapy differs from conventional therapies because it involves a combination of practices for the mind, body, and spirit rather than focusing solely on mental health.
Why do people use holistic therapies?
People use holistic or integrative therapy for a variety of reasons. It can promote a healthier mind-body connection and address multiple types of well-being. Often, holistic therapy calms the nervous system, allowing the mind and body to heal. Holistic healing practices may be most effective when combined with traditional mental health services.
How effective is holistic therapy?
More research is needed on the efficacy of holistic therapy. There are a wide variety of alternative therapies and complementary therapies that fall under the holistic health umbrella, so it’s challenging to evaluate the efficacy of holistic therapy as a whole.
What is the advantage of holistic care?
How does holistic therapy work, and what does holistic therapy treat? Holistic care aims to treat the whole person–body, mind, and spirit. It involves a comprehensive approach that integrates various practices, from emotional regulation strategies to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), breathing techniques, nutritional counseling, tai chi, art therapy, music therapy, mindfulness practices, and more. This holistic healing approach can be beneficial because it fosters overall well-being rather than focusing on treating one specific problem.
What are the practices of holistic wellness?
There are many practices involved in holistic wellness. Holistic wellness often includes traditional physical and mental health care, combined with numerous alternative therapies. A few examples include massage, reflexology, acupuncture, yoga, and Reiki.
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