What Is Holistic Therapy?

Generally speaking, holistic therapy is a therapy that treats the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.

Traditional forms of therapy (and medicine) treat these parts of us separately, but holistic therapists (like us!) address all of these together. 

On the surface, it may seem like our problems are only related to certain aspects of ourselves. However, the issues we experience are rarely confined to just one element of our being. There is often a deeper connection, even if we cannot readily see it at first.

We support people like you in examining those deeper connections so that you can heal more fully. Our therapists help you get the most out of therapy by viewing mind, body, and spirit as parts of a greater whole.

With our holistic psychotherapy clients, we bring consciousness and healing to all parts of our clients. We examine these parts, their interactions, and how we can take an integrative approach to healing.

By the way, if you are located in California and are interested in holistic therapy, contact our Los Angeles psychotherapists for a free consultation. We’d be happy to explain what holistic psychotherapy could look like for you.

How does holistic therapy work?

Holistic psychotherapy is similar to other forms of psychotherapy.

During therapy, we discuss life circumstances, triggers, memories, thought patterns, and other things that are affecting our clients’ mental health. But in holistic psychotherapy (as opposed to more traditional forms of psychotherapy), we discuss matters of the body and spirit as well.

When our minds are unwell, our bodies and spirits struggle too. By pinpointing how our mental health affects our bodies and spirits, we can develop strategies to heal all of these parts. If we only address the mind, we miss out on crucial healing opportunities that lead to more lasting and comprehensive change.

How can holistic therapy help me?

To succeed in therapy, you have to believe that it works and that you will be successful.

Although we believe that holistic psychotherapy is for everyone, we also believe that you have to take the process seriously. As a society, we often neglect our bodies and spirits. Because of this, some of us struggle to embrace our physical and spiritual sides. Sometimes we are taught to behave this way, and other times we neglect these parts of ourselves due to fear or trauma. 

Whatever the reason is, be ready to embrace this approach to healing and deeply connect with yourself.

We practice holistic psychotherapy to help our clients achieve lasting change. Some people regularly attend therapy as part of their self-care routines, but we want you to leave therapy confident, connected, and healed. If we ignore aspects of you, we risk backtracking, and we may have to recoup lost progress later.

Can holistic therapy help with trauma?

Many therapists understand that we hold trauma in our bodies. That’s why holistic therapy is highly effective for people struggling with trauma.

Put simply, trauma is our involuntary response to a stressful situation. However, many people believe that trauma only exists in people who struggle with PTSD or who survived extreme situations. But therapists know that trauma covers a wide range of things, from toxic relationships to losing a loved one. 

Since trauma is often a “fight or flight” response, it is anatomical. While our minds can change significantly after we experience trauma, our bodies can go through physical changes as well. Our nervous system can become more sensitive, making us feel triggered more easily. 

However, this physical change does not prevent us from healing. Holistic therapy can treat trauma’s effects on our body--as well as our mind and spirit. By experiencing a deeper connection with your body, you can understand and heal your trauma response.

Can holistic therapy help with anxiety and depression?

Holistic therapy can absolutely help with anxiety and depression.

When we’re anxious, our minds reel. It feels impossible to find peaceful moments and quiet ourselves. On top of that, we can feel queasy, tense, and exhausted. Holistic psychotherapy addresses all of these things.

People who experience depression attest to its overwhelming physical and mental effects. When we’re depressed, we lose hope. Our spirits are crushed, and we hold this sadness in our sleeping and waking moments. In holistic psychotherapy, we can treat all aspects of your depression—not only your thoughts.

Can holistic therapy help with grief?

As with so many other issues, holistic therapy is helpful for people experiencing grief. Our entire world shatters when we experience a loss, and in order to make sense of the experience, it’s important to consider all aspects of your being.

Grief can accompany any loss: from the loss of a loved one (including a pet!) to the loss of a job, relationship, or part of your identity. Taking an integrative approach to grief therapy helps you heal deeply.

With the help of our holistic psychotherapists, you can construct meaning in the wake of your grief and figure out how you want to live after loss.

Consult with a holistic therapist in Los Angeles

Our Highland Park therapists are here to help.

If you’re in Los Angeles and are interested in holistic psychotherapy, contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation today. We would be honored to walk alongside you on your healing journey.