Holistic therapy, also referred to as body-centered therapy or holistic psychotherapy, is an integrative approach that combines traditional and non-traditional therapeutic approaches that focus on the connection between mind, body, and spirit. Essentially, holistic treatment aims to help people understand and address how challenges in one area of life influence all others.
Hippocrates introduced the notion of holistic treatment over 2,500 years ago, stating that focusing on one aspect of a person’s life was insufficient to understand them as whole beings. Instead, treatment should focus on a person’s many different characteristics and how they influence one another. Enabling a person to become attuned to their entire identity promotes self-awareness and greater self-acceptance. Call Harmony Hills at 855.494.0357 to learn more about the benefits of holistic treatment for mental health recovery.
What Is Holistic Therapy?
Rather than focusing on a specific problem or challenge, such as substance abuse, anxiety, or depression, holistic therapy examines the physical, psychological, and spiritual factors that impact a person’s well-being and aims to help them heal on a deeper level.
For example, instead of focusing solely on stopping an individual from abusing drugs or alcohol, holistic therapy focuses on helping them uncover why they turn to substances to manage their distressing thoughts and feelings. Often, individuals with substance abuse issues have unresolved trauma or mental health issues that they are not equipped to cope with in healthy ways. Their primary coping mechanism often becomes reliance on drugs, alcohol, or both.
Holistic therapy utilizes a wide range of techniques to help clients recognize maladaptive symptoms, understand where they come from, and replace them with healthier alternatives. Holistic therapy techniques can include:
- Meditation
- Mindfulness therapy
- Yoga
- Qi-gong
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
- Spiritual counseling
- Equine therapy
- Art therapy
- Music therapy
- Adventure therapy
Many holistic therapies have recently been scientifically proven effective, mainly when used in conjunction with traditional evidence-based treatments such as:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Eye movement desensitization therapy (EMDR)
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Trauma therapy
- 12-step therapy
A significant benefit of holistic therapies is that once an individual has learned the basic tenets of most practices, they can easily be incorporated into daily life with little to no expense. For example, meditation and mindfulness can be practiced almost anywhere, in just minutes at a time, for the benefits to be effective.
What Are the Benefits of Holistic Treatment?
Holistic treatment focuses on an individual’s internal needs and innate drive to become self-actualized (the best person they can be). Through holistic treatment, clients learn the skills and tools needed to maintain lasting recovery outside the treatment environment. Benefits of holistic treatment include:
- A holistic approach typically offers a wider variety of therapies, enabling individuals to find the ones that speak to their needs.
- Holistic approaches such as yoga and meditation are coping skills that can be practiced after rehab with little to no cost.
- A safe, supportive environment provides a space where clients feel safe to reflect upon their recovery needs and goals.
- Combining traditional and holistic evidence-based approaches to treatment reduces relapse rates because of improved overall well-being.
- Holistic therapies are tailored to each individual’s unique needs and goals rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Holistic therapy, which focuses on treating the whole person rather than just their symptoms, is more effective than traditional therapies alone. A holistic recovery approach strengthens personal resolve, self-respect, and accountability while inspiring self-acceptance, self-reliance, and personal empowerment.
Learn About the Benefits of Holistic Recovery at Harmony Hills
Holistic recovery draws on an individual’s internal needs and innate drive to become self-actualized or be their best self. Through holistic treatment, clients develop the skills and tools they need to manage their mental health for the long term.
At Harmony Hills, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to live their best lives. Our residential mental health treatment center provides comprehensive, holistic care in a safe, supportive environment. Reach out online or call 855.494.0357 to learn about the benefits of holistic recovery at Harmony Hills.
