More Americans than ever before are struggling with crippling depression, anxiety, overwhelming stress, and health issues as a result, or in connection with, these mental health issues. Depression is the world’s largest health problem, accounting for more disability than any other disease worldwide (Smith, A world of depression). Often psychology follows the Medical Model of treatment involving diagnosing the problem and developing a treatment plan to address the symptoms present. This method is often focused on treating the symptoms of disorders rather than the underlying causes; the result of this are huge gaps in aspects of the client’s life that are never tended to or addressed. Essentially this is the management of these symptoms rather than the healing of them. Many high-functioning, professional Americans and families find themselves yearning for something more than this model can provide.

Over 2,500 years ago Hippocrates conceived the term “Holistic” from the Greek word “holos” meaning “whole” or “complete”. He believed that it was inadequate to focus on just one aspect of a person, but rather Hippocrates emphasized the importance of establishing balance within individuals, viewing the person as a whole being made up of many parts working in harmony. Remarkably, the word “heal” also originates from the word “whole” or to “return to wholeness”. In order to heal, holistic therapists take the entire human being and their life experiences into consideration and treatment.

Holistic therapy does not work to eliminate symptoms. Instead, this modality views symptoms as clues that bring greater self-awareness to the root cause. Holistic therapists believe the key to balance and harmony are intrinsic to a person as well as the ability to heal. The role of your therapist will be to partner with you in exploring the interconnectedness of internal elements such as mind, body, and spirit, as well as external components of your life such as relationships, employment, life experiences, and parenting. Holistic therapy will involve exploration and careful attention to each component of the client’s life. The impact of this type of therapy can be greater self-awareness and self-acceptance, mental and emotional peace, deeper sense of spirituality and connection with purpose, and healing from trauma or whatever issues bring the client to therapy.

Typical issues that lead people to seek holistic therapy: Depression, Anxiety, Life Transitions, Trauma, Relationship Issues, Overwhelming Stress, Grief, Spiritual Disconnection