With boundless information buzzing past our fingertips, it’s not surprising we live in a culture that seeks to intellectualize everything. We go into therapy desperately seeking answers to a confusing world and, to put it simply, why life feels so hard.
There’s a lot to be gained from traditional talk therapy practices. Over and over, research has proven it works. Having a safe, loving space to untangle our thoughts, learn about ourselves, understand the origin of our patterns and develop insight are all really meaningful and healing experiences.
At the same time, I always had an aching feeling that therapists were missing some bigger picture. If talk therapy is enough, why are clients still feeling stuck and dysregulated? Why do I keep hearing, “I understand what’s wrong, but I don’t understand how to change it”?
My dear friends, this is where the magic of holistic therapy comes in!
What is Holistic Therapy?
The term “holistic” seems alluring to some and scares the absolute crap out of others. There’s a large group of people who hear that word and think their therapist is going to start talking about crystals and astrological signs. And while that very well may come up if it’s your jam, it’s not the type of “holistic” therapists are talking about.
Holistic therapy, or integrative therapy, is a type of treatment that considers the whole person - mind, body, context, maybe even spirit for those who seek it - and is both incredibly scientific and deeply transformative.
It’s not that different from traditional talk therapy, but the theoretical approach is more comprehensive and it adds a whole lot more to your coping skills toolbox. Techniques like mindfulness meditation, yoga and nutritional counseling can all be incorporated into the therapeutic process aimed to promote mind-body connection, help manage stress, reduce anxiety and enhance emotional health.
You and your therapist will continue to talk about what’s been hard while also working towards building specific skills that heal you on a physiological level.
Why Choose Holistic Therapy?
Our body speaks to us in sensations. We have a “gut instinct” or an “aching feeling”. And yet, so many of us walk around disembodied. We struggle to listen to what our physical experience is telling us and how it is directly related to our mental health.
So many therapy clients are dealing with physical issues like chronic fatigue, dizziness, migraines or digestive problems. The mind and body are in a circular relationship where our mental health impacts our physical experience and our physical experience impacts our mental health.
Luckily, we know more than ever now about how our nervous system impacts emotional experiences, how neuroplasticity changes our brain matter to alter thinking patterns and how most of our serotonin, the feel good hormone and what depression medication tries to make more of, is produced in our gut!
With all this new research, it is becoming absolutely necessary to include the body in the therapeutic dialogue. When we learn to communicate effectively with our body and give it the things it needs to feel nourished and safe, we feel better emotionally, physically and mentally.
How Will Holistic Therapy Help?
1. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
One of the primary benefits of holistic therapy is its effectiveness in reducing stress and anxiety. Techniques like mindfulness meditation and yoga help calm the mind, reduce tension, and promote a sense of inner peace. By learning to manage stress better, you can improve your overall mental health.
2. Enhances Emotional Well-Being
Holistic therapy encourages you to explore and express your emotions in a safe and supportive environment. This process can help you understand and manage your feelings more effectively, leading to improved emotional health and resilience.
3. Improves Physical Health
Since holistic therapy acknowledges the mind-body connection, it often includes lifestyle changes that benefit your physical health. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep are commonly recommended to support both physical and mental well-being.
4. Promotes Personal Growth
By addressing meaning-based aspects of well-being, holistic therapy can foster personal growth and self discovery. This journey can help you gain insights into your life's purpose and develop a stronger sense of self.
5. Builds Coping Skills
Holistic therapy equips you with practical tools and techniques to handle life's challenges more effectively. Whether it's through meditation, deep breathing exercises, or positive affirmations, these coping skills can be invaluable in maintaining mental health.
Conclusion
We are more than just a brain floating inside a vessel. All of our systems are interconnected and working together to create our profound human experience. By focusing on the whole person, holistic therapy can help reduce stress, enhance emotional well-being, improve physical health, promote personal growth, and build effective coping skills. And while cognitively understanding problems and finding answers is an important step, integrating the body into therapy can create more embodied healing for lasting change.
If you're looking for a way to improve your mental health that goes beyond traditional methods, holistic therapy might be the right path for you.
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