Holistic treatment is something of a buzzword in the medical community today. For as much as it gets tossed around, it is not always fully understood by the general public. Any treatment, including therapy that is holistic, simply means that it takes a whole-body approach to address an issue. Holistic methodology encompasses the spiritual, mental, emotional, physical, and mental components of health. A holistic approach to therapy is ultimately a combination of many other methods that, in isolation, might only tackle one aspect of health.
Contact Serenity Grove at 844.904.3485 to get connected with high-quality substance abuse treatment options.
What Is a Holistic Approach to Therapy?
Holistic therapy relies on evidence-based practices drawn from a host of different treatment frameworks. The comprehensive and flexible nature of holistic therapy means it can easily be tailored to the exact needs of each client. A few treatment practices that holistic therapy draws upon include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Breathing exercises and meditation
- Mindfulness practices
- Reiki
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Acupuncture
- Aromatherapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of the most-employed therapies during addiction recovery. Holistic therapy does not always import the entirety of cognitive-behavioral therapy. But you can expect things like a focus on correcting mental distortions and positive self-talk.
Holistic therapy is applicable in group or individual settings. Any substance abuse or mental health condition can be treated using holistic therapy. The exact issue is less important than the situation. For example, a holistic approach to therapy may not be the right method for someone who is put off by holistic practices like reiki or mindfulness. Patient motivation and investment are key to successful recovery.
How Does Holistic Therapy Work?
The effectiveness of holistic therapy is hard to judge because it involves the inclusion of many different practices. On their own, these practices are backed by evidence and proven effective in addressing substance abuse and mental health issues. Putting them all together is thus logical, though it remains more or less impossible to credit the framework with specific results.
A holistic approach to therapy prioritizes the idea that physical problems may have a psychological root. The relationship can also go in the other direction, with a psychological problem being solved with a physical recommendation. One example related to addiction treatment is nutrition and exercise. Many people may not consider a focus on nutrition and exercise time well spent in recovery. Holistic therapy would say that it is because a person’s physical health can have a dramatic impact on their mental health, ability to avoid drug cravings, and level of motivation in recovery.
The frequency of each component of a holistic therapy plan will likely look different for each client. Some things may happen weekly, while others may be just once or twice per month. In addition, there is no reason that holistic therapy cannot be tempered by more conventional methods. For instance, someone in recovery from drug addiction may receive medication-assisted treatment alongside holistic methods.
Holistic Therapy at Serenity Grove
Holistic therapy remains somewhat niche in the addiction treatment community. Yet if the holistic approach sounds right for you, it’s likely that one or more treatment providers near you offer it. Moreover, some addiction treatment programs offer elements of holistic therapy without calling their approach holistic. Be sure to ask pointed questions about what a provider offers during treatment.
Serenity Grove has years of experience in the holistic therapy realm. We believe it is one valid approach among many other types of addiction and mental health treatment. Contact us at 844.904.3485 to learn more about our approach to holistic therapy and whether or not it might be the right fit for you.
