OUR APPROACH
Holistic Therapy
Holistic therapy, also sometimes referred to as holistic psychotherapy or body-centered psychotherapy, is an integrative type of therapy that incorporates both traditional and non-traditional treatments to help the individual as a whole.
Rather than focusing on a narrow problem, it considers mental, physical, social, and spiritual factors that influence a person's well-being and seeks to help people heal and thrive on a deeper level.
Holistic therapy combines aspects of traditional talk therapy and non-traditional approaches, including hypnosis, breath work, and meditation.
What Holistic Therapy Can Help With
Holistic therapy may be helpful in the treatment of a number of different psychological conditions. Some of these include:
Addictions
Anxiety
Depression
Trauma
Emotional difficulties
Family problems
Stress
Work-Related Problems
Since Holistic therapy seeks to heal the person as a whole, it may be most helpful for problems that do not have a single, definable cause or those that affect multiple areas of a person's life.
Types of Holistic Therapy
Holistic psychotherapy is an umbrella term that can encompass a number of different types of treatment modalities. Professionals who offer this type of treatment may refer to themselves as holistic therapists, but they may also refer to their practice as:
Eclectic or Integrative Therapy
An approach that draws on multiple traditions and techniques in order to best address a person’s needs. Mind-body therapy: This refers to groups of techniques that focus on improving body functioning and inducing relaxations as a way to improve health.
Somatic Therapy
A body-centric approach that utilizes strategies such as breathwork, dance, and meditation to heal trauma, stress, and other mental health issues.
Spiritual Therapy
An approach that incorporates belief systems and spiritual faith to explore problems that a person faces in their life.
Holistic Therapy Techniques
Holistic therapy utilizes a range of techniques to help individuals understand their symptoms. In addition, such strategies are designed to foster a greater sense of self-awareness to better understand the connections between their body, mind, and relationships and how these elements play a role in mental health.
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Such techniques are often rooted in mindfulness and bodywork practices. These techniques may include strategies commonly used in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) that are designed to promote relaxation and help individuals better understand the connection between the body, mind, and spirit.
Learn about some of these in the chart below.
Breathwork
A practice with a wide range of techniques that focus on controlling and manipulating breath to achieve specific outcomes including relaxation, stress reduction, increased focus, or heightened self-awareness. Techniques often involve conscious alteration of breathing patterns, rhythms, and depths; and can include various practices such as deep breathing, mindful breathing, rhythmic breathing, and other breathing exercises.
Biofeedback
A form of alternative medicine that originated from traditional Chinese medicine. It involves inserting thin needles into the body at specific points to various depths. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, these acupuncture points are located on meridians through which vital energy (called “qi” or “chi”) flows. In modern practice, acupuncture is used for a variety of purposes including pain relief, treatment of certain medical conditions, and overall wellness.
Mindfulness
A mental state and practice that involves focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. It is often cultivated through various techniques and is rooted in ancient contemplative traditions, particularly Buddhism. Mindfulness has been incorporated into various therapeutic approaches and has gained attention as an effective technique for managing anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
Meditation
A practice that involves focusing the mind and eliminating the stream of jumbled thoughts that may be crowding the mind and causing stress. This practice is often used to promote relaxation, build internal energy, and develop compassion, love, patience, generosity, and forgiveness. It has been practiced since antiquity in numerous religious traditions and beliefs, often as part of the path toward enlightenment and self-realization. In recent times, meditation has also gained popularity as a secular practice for promoting mental and physical well-being.
Acupuncture
A form of alternative medicine that originated from traditional Chinese medicine. It involves inserting thin needles into the body at specific points to various depths. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, these acupuncture points are located on meridians through which vital energy (called “qi” or “chi”) flows. In modern practice, acupuncture is used for a variety of purposes including pain relief, treatment of certain medical conditions, and overall wellness.
Reiki
A form of alternative therapy commonly referred to as energy healing. During reiki sessions, the practitioner places their hands on or just above a person, with the goal of facilitating the flow of life force energy to help promote healing, reduce stress, and bring about a sense of relaxation and overall well-being. The practitioner is said to act as a conduit for the energy, allowing it to flow into the recipient. Reiki is often used in conjunction with other medical or therapeutic techniques as a complementary approach to holistic healing.
Massage
A practice that involves manipulating a person’s muscles and soft tissue to help improve their well-being. It can be performed using various techniques such as applying pressure, rubbing, or kneading the body’s muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Massage is commonly used to promote relaxation, reduce stress, alleviate muscle tension, and enhance circulation.
Guided Imagery
A relaxation technique that uses the power of imagination to bring about positive changes in the mind and body by providing verbal guidance through a series of mental images.
Tai Chi
An ancient Chinese martial art that is practiced for its health benefits and its defense training. It is characterized by its slow flowing movements, deep breathing, and meditation. Tai Chi is often described as “moving meditation” because it promotes calmness of mind and relaxation to the body through graceful, continuous motions.
Yoga
A physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word “yoga” comes from the sanskrit word “yuj” which means to unite, and it symbolizes the union of body and consciousness. Yoga encompasses a variety of practices including physical postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama) and mediation, as well as ethical and moral principles. There are several styles of yoga, each with its own emphasis and approach, ranging from gentle and meditative to vigorous and physically challenging. Yoga is widely practiced around the world for its potential benefits to harmonize body, mind, and spirit.