Holistic Psychotherapy: meaning and action

George Alvarez 18-10-2023
George Alvarez

A holistic psychotherapy does not work the mind in the same way you would with clinical psychology. This aspect contemplates the emotions and psychological disturbances from the integration of body, mind, and spirit. In other words, it includes the totality of the human being and represents a response of evolution and development of oneself.

What it is psychotherapy holistic?

It is an integration of the mind and spirit with the body. It holds that the body is affected by our thoughts and emotions, and therefore we have to learn to know and understand them.

To end or lessen a problem, it is necessary to access the unconscious and integrate it with full consciousness. Moreover, to find solutions, our whole system has to transform itself and work towards the same end.

What is holistic therapy?

Many people who use holistic psychology do this therapy through self-awareness and inner healing. This therapy is for all kinds of people and cases. It works individually, in couples, or in groups, according to each person's needs.

This psychotherapy contemplates the totality of the human being, and therefore does not leave out any aspect. Since in many people's psychological disorders and traumas often have various components of the unconscious. Holistic therapy helps us connect with the areas that we often do not attend to on a daily basis.

In addition, it must be taken into account that the body is also affected by our emotions. For this reason, holistic psychology considers both dimensions as a whole.

Benefits and criticisms of holistic therapy

Advocates of holistic therapy report that this approach is effective in treating different types of disorders from:

  • anxiety;
  • major depressive disorder;
  • stress-related problems;
  • trauma-related disorders, such as sexual abuse.

However, the main limitation of the holistic therapy approach is its very focus. It is very difficult to reach the "spirit" of a person or to understand or observe whether he has integrated his body, feelings and spirit.

It has no set standards that can identify whether someone has done this kind of integration or not. Also, many of the notions of holistic therapy are more aligned with philosophy than in actual notions of treatment.

Attempts

Attempts to integrate some of the principles of holistic therapy with validated psychotherapies have been more successful, such as the use of brief dynamic psychotherapy (a type of therapy based on Freud). Also, some of the bodywork techniques, such as breathing techniques, tai chi, yoga, etc.

See_also: Freud and the Psychosexual Development

Even so, many of these reports come from questionable sources. Because of the wide range of techniques and different approaches in holistic therapy, there are very few reliable research trials. And it doesn't help to use them as evidence that this approach gives good benefits.

Certifications

The main point about holistic therapy is to find out about the therapist. People who wish to engage in this form of treatment have to know if he is licensed.

The professional is somehow licensed the discipline of professional mental health treatment, as well as counseling, clinical psychology, or social work. In addition, he incorporates aspects of the holistic approach with validated therapeutic techniques, such as standard forms of therapy.

People trying to engage in this form of therapy should discuss qualifications. In addition to knowing the therapist's training and any other certifications or areas of expertise.

The conscious and the unconscious

Each person has his or her own way of being, thinking, and acting. When we ask ourselves why we are the way we are, we must also ask ourselves what led us to be that way. Childhood is usually one of the phases in which the greatest traumas and negative experiences that will have an impact on the future are made.

Treating them from the root, remembering the origin of the damage, is the only way to overcome these events and move on. If our personality did not alter and damage at some point in our lives, we would not ask ourselves "why am I like this?"

I want information to enroll in the Psychoanalysis Course .

Most people who go to therapy do so because their thoughts or behavior are causing problems. Contemplating only our conscious form will not help us to understand the reason for our attitude, and therefore we will remain unhappy.

Read Also: Tolerance: What is it and how to be tolerant?

Transformation

Holistic psychology seeks to transform:

  • body;
  • mental;
  • emotional.

The psyche is part of the unconscious of the personality so that "problems" arise. Moreover, that they can be identified and solved.

In the same way, it aims to rescue the person's original identity. And it helps him, from its base and not from the distortion, as it should have been from the beginning.

The holistic therapy approach

The goal of this approach is to balance all the different aspects of the person, so that the whole person is treated in the treatment and not just one aspect of the person.

For example, in the traditional Western medical approach, someone with arthritis would be treated by a specialist. He would treat him for his arthritis with medications and other interventions.

Using holistic medicine, rather than just treating someone's arthritis, the emotional aspects, attitudes and (mental) beliefs of the person, relationships. How the disease and the spiritual aspects (deeper meanings about one's existence and future) affect them, this will be addressed in the treatment process.

Treatments

People prefer approaches such as acupuncture, massage, natural therapy. But most of these treatments have no solid evidence to support their use for a number of diseases. For example, one technique that is rarely suggested as a treatment in holistic medicine is acupuncture.

A number of research studies have indicated that it often doesn't matter where the acupuncture needles are. As, for example, an article in the "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" from March 2009.

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People talk about feeling better even if the needles are not placed according to the practice of acupuncture. This indicates that this method can capitalize on a placebo effect.

On the other hand, it has advantages in the general attitude that a person should be treated in many different domains of functioning. Rather than just having one problem addressed, and this notion may have some importance in psychotherapy.

Many forms of psychotherapy can have good benefits. This is when people in therapy also do exercise programs. And not only that, but in meditation, yoga, and even spirituality.

I want information to enroll in the Psychoanalysis Course .

Final remarks about p holistic sycotherapy

As we have seen, these types of treatments tend to detract from traditional approaches to treatment, and in many cases holistic treatment providers have very strong criticisms of them.

Check out more details about Holistic Psychotherapy Learn new approaches in the field of psychology and become a professional in this area.

See_also: Genital Phase: age and characteristics for Freud

George Alvarez

George Alvarez is a renowned psychoanalyst who has been practicing for over 20 years and is highly regarded in the field. He is a sought-after speaker and has conducted numerous workshops and training programs on psychoanalysis for professionals in the mental health industry. George is also an accomplished writer and has authored several books on psychoanalysis that have received critical acclaim. George Alvarez is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise with others and has created a popular blog on Online Training Course in Psychoanalysis that is widely followed by mental health professionals and students around the world. His blog provides a comprehensive training course that covers all aspects of psychoanalysis, from theory to practical applications. George is passionate about helping others and is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of his clients and students.