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What Is Holistic Psychotherapy?

Andrew Kirmayer
Andrew Kirmayer

Holistic psychotherapy is often used to treat conditions such as anxiety, depression, or trauma. It often focuses on one’s emotional, mental, physical, and emotional states, all of which are generally emphasized throughout the course of treatment. In contrast to other types of psychotherapy, this field usually deals with how one sees the world. Conditions like depression are often seen as a symptom of an underlying problem, so holistic psychotherapy sometimes applies a treatment to prevent more serious physical and mental conditions from occurring.

Individuals, couples, and families can be treated through holistic psychotherapy. A practitioner often tries to see how a client thinks under particular circumstances, and how certain things make the person feel and act. It is not usually the meaning of undesirable thoughts and behavior that are interpreted. A person is often guided into thinking and feeling in ways that help manage difficult states of mind by holistic psychotherapy, for example.

Doctor taking notes
Doctor taking notes

The benefits of psychotherapy in traditional forms are usually supported by research. For holistic psychotherapy, combinations of different therapies are sometimes used, and some therapists tailor their practice around findings in neurological research. Patients are often guided in learning the reason for psychological issues. Many practitioners also use brain science in the treatment process; discussions can address information processed by the left side of the brain. Creativity and image processing, normally channeled by stimulating the right side, can help focus on emotions and relationships.

Regardless of how holistic psychotherapy is performed, the reason for imbalance is typically sought out. Various mental states are often believed to result from unresolved conflicts, trauma, or physical problems, for example. Successful treatment can lower stress, anger, worry, and fear. Sometimes people are not as lonely or guilty, while holistic psychotherapy can also help one get through difficult situations. Treatments often help improve relationships, increase a person’s confidence in oneself, as well as forgive others.

The field often incorporates other holistic concepts such as being in harmony and using creativity to solve problems. Holistic psychotherapy typically works by trying to help people become aware of knowledge already possessed, and that one can be taught to heal his or her problems with the right methods. Psychotherapists, however, generally require the right skills and tools to treat clients, assess what kinds of distress are present, and make sure that the therapy has lasting results.

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      Doctor taking notes