Why “holistic therapy?”
“Holistic” is a buzzword that we see thrown around quite a bit in the health/wellness world - and in my opinion that’s a very good thing! But what exactly does it mean and why are “holistic therapies” becoming so in-demand?
Here’s my take:
The traditional western medical system, for all its strengths, approaches human well-being from a rather surface and compartmentalized lens. While there are certainly some exceptions here, most healthcare providers are trained to help people quell their individual symptoms, rather than explore and address the root cause beneath these symptoms. In many ways our approach to health has its roots in the patriarchal, colonial worldview: the underlying energy of conquering, fighting, “cutting out,” extinguishing… essentially being at war with nature, rather than seeking to understand and balance it.
Traditional mental health care and psychiatry operate under similar assumptions - viewing many common mental health challenges as simply “chemical imbalances” that can be adequately quelled with daily psychotropic medication, and classified by a diagnostic system that puts the onus of responsibility on the individual, rather than the dysfunctional systems or experiences they may live within. Personally, I tried the “medical model” approach at the start of addressing my own mental health struggles, and while it did allow me to survive a very difficult time in life, it also left me craving something different… something deeper.
I see this same hunger for deeper, “root-cause” healing in so many of my clients today.
We know, and can feel, that there is so much more to our wellness (or lack thereof) than what is typically being addressed by traditional medical model healthcare. We are humans, with so many dimensions of experience - body, mind, emotion, energy, and spirit. When we only address one “layer” of our being, how can we expect lasting transformation? This is where the power and significance of adopting a holistic approach to wellness and healthcare becomes apparent.
You want to feel fulfilled in all dimensions of your human-ness, and this means working with healthcare providers who can assist you on that multifaceted journey. That is why it is SO important in my clinical work at Integrate Holistic Psychotherapy to approach each client with a holistic, “whole person” lens.
With a holistic approach to psychotherapy, we are not just focused on clinical diagnosis and individual symptoms, rather, we are seeking to understand each client as a whole, integrated human system - including mind, body, emotion, energy and spirit. Through acknowledgement of these multiple dimensions of your experience, you can learn to relate to yourself and your well-being on a much deeper level… by understanding that todays “symptoms” were, to put it simply, yesterdays survival adaptations.
This opens up the possibility of addressing the root causes to troubling symptoms or patterns in our lives, rather than band-aid solutions that can only work temporarily. It also makes space to soften our relationship with ourselves and our personal struggles. Through this work, I have the privilege of witnessing so many of my clients create lasting transformation in their lives, and opening up to previously unexplored dimensions of Self. It is truly an honor to be a part of such important work - and I hope to continue to be a part of taking this more holistic, integrated approach to healthcare & wellness into the mainstream of our Western culture.
However, this conversation is not complete without the acknowledgement of how “white wellness culture” is just yet another arm of oppression in a long history of stealing from indigenous cultures. The true embrace of holistic therapies comes with a need to acknowledge, respect and center the people & cultures that such “holistic approaches” are stemming from. Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, shamanic healing, sacred use of plant medicines, community healing, dance, yoga…. these profoundly healing and increasingly popular practices come directly from the rich cultural heritages of peoples that have been oppressed and/or colonized by Western “civilization.” As holistic providers, we must give credit where credit is due, and continue to maintain our own anti-racist, decolonization practice so that we might do our part in healing the wounds of our patriarchal, colonial legacy.
If you’re interested in finding out more, or addressing your individual circumstances with a holistic therapist, schedule a complimentary phone consultation here!
