You've probably heard the term holistic therapy before, but what is it, and how can it benefit you? Holistic therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on treating the whole person.

This approach looks at an individual as more than just their physical health; holistic therapy also considers mental, spiritual, social, and even environmental factors to help you achieve optimal well-being.

Talk therapy is an effective treatment for many people, but sometimes talk therapy alone isn't enough.

How does holistic therapy work?

Holistic therapy combines talk therapy with alternative treatment approaches, like yoga, massage therapy, and acupuncture. This can help to address physical symptoms that may be contributing to mental health issues or vice versa.

Holistic therapists are trained to look at the entire person to create a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to their patient's needs.

By understanding all the components of your mental health, holistic therapy can help you to find healthier ways of dealing with stress and anxiety, as well as help you gain insight into past experiences or behaviors that may be influencing your mental health today.

It's only possible to take care of your mental well-being if you understand how your mind, body, and spirit are interconnected. When you're able to do that, it'll be easier for you to locate the problems causing hindrances in living the life you deserve.

The foundation of holistic therapy typically consists of mindfulness practices and bodywork. This type of therapy--which is frequently seen in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)--employs techniques designed to promote relaxation, aiding you in understanding the connection between the body, mind, and spirit.

The benefits of holistic therapy

Holistic therapy can treat several mental health issues, including anxiety, addiction, depression, chronic stress, and trauma.

Holistic therapies, which consider the individual as a whole rather than simply targeting one area or symptom, can help address complex issues with numerous causes.

A holistic approach not only looks for immediate treatment of current problems but also concentrates on prevention. For example, unhealthy coping mechanisms for stress may cause future issues and harm a person's emotional, physical, social, or spiritual well-being. However, by learning how to deal with stress in positive ways, we can prevent these harmful consequences from happening.

Techniques that can promote healing

Holistic therapy uses a variety of methods to help patients understand their symptoms.

These techniques help people understand how their thoughts, feelings, and actions are interconnected. This awareness can lead to improved mental health.

Traditional methods of psychotherapy often fail to address the mind-body connection. However, integrative therapies focus on this vital aspect and promote relaxation to facilitate healing.

Many alternative healing methods are often used in conjunction with traditional psychotherapy.  Holistic treatments may also incorporate nutrition and lifestyle modifications to help individuals create positive life changes.

Traditional Chinese medicine practices such as acupuncture, cupping, Tai chi, and Qigong can be used to promote the body's natural healing abilities and physical and emotional well-being.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient practice in which thin needles are inserted through the skin at specific points on your body. This is thought to help to stimulate the central nervous system by releasing chemicals into the spinal cord, muscles, and brain.

Acupuncture can help with stress and anxiety disorders, emotional regulation, and overall feelings of balance and well-being.

Cupping

Cupping uses warmed glass jars to create suction on certain parts of the body.  This is supposed to help soothe the parasympathetic nervous system, which can encourage deep relaxation and anxiety relief.

Tai chi and Qigong

T'ai chi is a martial art form, while Qigong is a wellness system. Both use elements of posture, movement, mental focus, and breathing to balance the body's energy to help with physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Ayurveda

Ayurveda is a traditional Indian healing system that dates back more than 3,000 years. It claims that disease is caused by an imbalance or disruption in a person's consciousness.

The goal of Ayurveda is to rebalance the body, mind, spirit, and environment by implementing specific lifestyle changes, natural therapies and remedies, and techniques such as yoga, massage therapy, and meditation.

Meditation and mindfulness

These two practices often go hand in hand.

The goal of meditation is to focus and quiet the mind, eventually leading to a state of heightened awareness and inner calm. 

Meditation often utilizes mindfulness, focusing on the present moment and being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations.

Mindfulness can help people become more mindful of their body’s signals and how it responds to certain situations.

Reiki 

Reiki is a form of energy healing that can promote mental and emotional well-being.

It is a gentle and non-invasive therapy that helps to encourage relaxation and reduce stress. By promoting peace and reducing stress, Reiki can help to improve mental health.

Reiki can also help to balance emotions and release negative emotions such as anger, anxiety, and sadness. 

Yoga 

Yoga helps achieve body balance through breath control, meditation, and postures. It can improve flexibility, reduce stress and anxiety, increase focus and concentration, and boost overall well-being.

By incorporating tried-and-true methods like CBT and psychoanalysis with these techniques, therapists can develop more effective treatment plans that are unique to each client.

Another advantage of combining holistic methods with traditional therapy is that many strategies can be performed outside therapeutic sessions.

This can be especially beneficial when people encounter stressful situations, feel anxious, or experience changes in mood in their everyday life.

The advantages of using a combination of traditional and holistic treatment 

When treating mental health issues, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

What works for one person may not work for another, and what helps in the short term may not be effective in the long term.

Traditional psychotherapy can help patients to understand and work through their feelings, while holistic treatments such as meditation and yoga can help to promote relaxation and provide a sense of calm.

By combining these two approaches, patients can benefit from the best of both worlds and develop a personalized treatment plan that meets their individual needs.

At Paper Cranes Counseling, we believe in the power of combining traditional psychotherapy and holistic methods to create a comprehensive, meaningful treatment plan.

Our goal is to help you reclaim your mental health and find balance and inner peace on your journey to healing.

Schedule a free consultation with us today!

Shavonne James, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Therapist and founder of Paper Cranes Counseling, a private group practice connecting wellness seekers with culturally-affirming, holistic, care. They have openings for individuals that are working through matters of identity, interpersonal relationships, and the inner child. Contact them at www.papercranescounseling.com