Benefits of Holistic Mental Health Treatment

 Evidence-based therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are widely practiced and highly effective. Now, experts recognize that they cannot ignore the effectiveness and benefits of holistic mental health therapies. The whole-person treatment approach is an innovative form of therapy that works to heal not only mental health conditions but the whole body.

Utilizing holistic treatment to heal the body, mind, spirit, and emotional well-being in conjunction with standard evidence-based therapies is a well-rounded approach to treatment. Basic holistic techniques address both psychological and physical symptoms of many mental health conditions. 

Why Is Holistic Mental Health Effective?

A proven mind-body connection reveals that the body will reflect positivity and wellness if the mind is happy. A holistic mental health approach nurtures the mind-body connection to establish overall well-being. Using holistic techniques to address stress, conflict, and triggers that threaten mental health creates self-confidence and a sense of self.

It increases the mental capacity to reduce stress and anxiety. Suchtherapies can relax tight muscles and improve the immune system’s health throughout an individual’s future, improving quality of life. 

Holistic Mental Health Approaches

Holistic mental health treatment methods include techniques that allow the individual to control their mind and body. For example, mindfulness therapy focuses on individual and group sessions to adapt strategies to meet clients’ unique needs while using holistic mental health treatment throughout their lives.

After evaluating needs, professionals Integrate different holistic therapies, like yoga, breathwork, and massage, to meet specific needs and encourage personal growth. Finally, these approaches are skills and tools to rely upon when incorporating new positive and healthy coping skills learned in CBT and DBT evidence-based therapies. 

Benefits of a Holistic Approach to Mental Health

The Healthline article about holistic therapy explains the benefits of a holistic approach to mental health therapy. Therapists teach individuals how to identify when to utilize specific techniques to address the mind-body connections when physical symptoms arise.

Increasing self-awareness and the importance of self-care, the holistic approach to mental health coincides with improving thinking processes and communication. Somatic experiencing has far-reaching positive effects on those with trauma issues that trigger the development of post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as depression and anxiety. 

Research points to the holistic approach to mental health therapy having a positive effect on the following psychological and physical health considerations:

• Depression
• Anxiety and stress
• Post-traumatic stress
• Cognitive functioning, including focus and concentration
• Family communication
• Addiction and relapse prevention
• Trauma
• Chronic pain
• Emotional regulation
• Improving physical health

Types of Holistic Therapy

The holistic mental health approach includes many options for individuals and therapists in the treatment journey. Facilities specializing in this treatment offer the opportunity to address unique needs by adding holistic programs to their treatment plans.

Individuals need to recognize the whole-person approach to therapy demands, including techniques that support the individual’s lifelong needs. Such therapies promote stress reduction and improve overall well-being while nurturing the mind-body connection. 

The following holistic therapy techniques support the goal of balance and lifelong fulfillment:

• Yoga and Mindfulness Therapy teach the ability to stay in the present moment, strengthening the ability to manage stress, improve mental clarity, and increase self-awareness. Trauma-informed yoga is beneficial for those with past trauma issues and post-traumatic stress disorder. 
• Breathwork helps to regulate the nervous system, improves sleep, decreases anxieties, and increases lung capacity. 
• Acupuncture and massage reduce depression and anxiety and directly affect levels of pain in the body. Acupuncture uses needles in specific body points to reduce problematic headaches. 
• Recreational and art therapy helps with positive emotion regulation and self-development. 
• Sound healing utilizes vibrations through singing bowls that affect brain waves and improve health through the chakra systems (energy centers in the body). 
• Equine therapy works with horses to develop self-esteem, reduce fear and anxiety that stems from trauma, and practice empathy. 
• Reiki is a Japanese form of energy healing that affects the mind-body connection to help reduce depression, anxiety, and stress. 
• Tai-chi reflects upon the effects of meditation in motion. Grounding is beneficial for enhancing the ability to stay in the present moment, and cranial sacral therapy works through light touch to the body for trauma therapy. 

CBT and DBT

Therapists specializing in holistic therapies integrate evidence-based therapies, including cognitive-behavioral and dialectical-behavioral therapies, into the treatment plan. Cognitive-behavioral therapy aids in changing thought processes and the resulting behaviors.

Dialectical behavior therapy implements strategies beneficial for emotion regulation and harmful behaviors. DBT uses the techniques learned in CBT with holistic mindfulness practices to help develop stress and emotion regulation and improve relationships with people. 

Efficiency of Holistic Mental Health Methods

These methods effectively manage behaviors, thought processes, and behavior regulation. Integrating holistic therapy with evidence-based therapies improves the efficacy of both by enhancing the implementation of tools and skills to handle stress and anxiety throughout life.

Improving mental health conditions aids in enhancing physical aspects of well-being. Holistic therapies help to improve one’s sense of self throughout life. 

Holistic Mental Health Therapies Enhance Evidence-Based Therapy in California

The innovative holistic mental health option techniques are especially effective for whole-person treatment. Sierra Health + Wellness, with several locations in California, understands the importance of treating individuals while considering a mind-body connection. The opportunity to learn techniques that will enhance mental and physical health throughout life is within your grasp.

Contact Sierra Health + Wellness today to learn what options may enhance your mental health treatment.