What is Holistic Therapy?
The word “holistic” has become part of our modern vernacular, but do you find yourself wondering what it means, especially when it comes to therapy?
Approaching therapy in a holistic way means that your therapist is considering you as a whole person - body, mind and spirit. It takes into account what’s happening for you emotionally, physically, spiritually and socially. All of these factors are then integrated to create a better understanding of your thoughts, feelings and behaviors, as well as how they impact you day to day (and maybe even have historically).
Holistic wellness has been around since ancient times (think ayurveda, acupuncture, meditation, etc.), and approaches to mental health have come to the mainstream since the 1960s. Since then, we have gained even more insight into how ALL realms of life impact our mental health, and can create varying degrees of discomfort, dis-ease and struggles.
In a holistic approach, collaboration is key! The goal is to help a person (you!) gain an understanding of how your brain and body react to stressors, emotions and life, so that you can cultivate ways to cope and engage in the world in ways that best serve you.
What can therapy look like:
Exercise.
Other Expressive Therapies (art, dance, play, etc.).
From our perspective, it’s also creating a collaborative team of supports so you feel that you have a tribe in navigating life. This could mean significant others, parents, caregivers, siblings and other family members, other providers and natural supports who really get you.
So what are the takeaways?
You are a whole person!
Thinking about all aspects of your life will provide you with a better therapy experience.
Integrating strategies that embrace and enhance these facets will provide you with the tools to live the life you want.
As always, ask questions of your providers (all of them)! Get details of their approaches to treatment and make sure it’s the right fit for you and your needs.
Finding the providers that are the best fit for you, that you find click with, is the most likely predictor of positive outcomes, which is everyone’s goal!
