Is Holistic Therapy the Ideal Choice for You?

Kendra Cherry, MS, is an expert in psychosocial rehabilitation, a psychology educator, and the author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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Holistic therapy, also known as holistic psychotherapy or body-centered therapy, integrates both traditional mental health treatments and alternative practices to support the entire individual.

Instead of targeting a single issue, this approach evaluates mental, physical, and spiritual elements that influence overall well-being, aiming to promote deep healing and personal growth.

It merges conventional talk therapy with alternative techniques such as hypnosis, breathwork, and meditation to create a balanced therapeutic experience.

Varieties of Holistic Therapy

Holistic psychotherapy is a broad term encompassing diverse treatment styles. Practitioners may identify as holistic therapists or describe their methods using terms like:

• Eclectic or integrative therapy: Combining multiple traditions and methods tailored to individual needs.
• Mind-body therapy: Techniques focused on enhancing bodily functions and relaxation to improve health.
• Somatic therapy: A body-centered approach using breathwork, movement, and meditation to address trauma and stress.
• Spiritual therapy: Incorporating spiritual beliefs and faith to explore life challenges.

Techniques

Holistic therapy employs a variety of strategies to help clients recognize symptoms, triggers, and challenges, fostering heightened self-awareness about the interplay between body, mind, and relationships in mental health.

Many practices stem from mindfulness and bodywork traditions, often overlapping with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) techniques designed to promote relaxation and holistic understanding. These include:

• Acupuncture
• Biofeedback
• Breathwork
• Guided imagery
• Hypnosis
• Massage
• Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Reiki
• Tai chi
• Yoga

Holistic therapists also integrate conventional psychotherapy methods such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychoanalysis, and person-centered therapy.

What Holistic Therapy Can Address

This therapy may assist with various psychological issues, including:

• Addictions
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Emotional challenges
• Family conflicts
• Stress management
• Trauma recovery
• Work-related difficulties

Since holistic therapy targets the whole person, it is particularly beneficial for complex problems without a single cause or those impacting multiple life areas.

Benefits of Holistic Therapy

The wellness techniques used in holistic therapy are widely applied to alleviate tension, reduce stress, and enhance overall health.

A key advantage is its comprehensive approach addressing mental, physical, and spiritual health, helping individuals recognize how these dimensions interrelate and influence well-being.

Many holistic practices can be performed independently outside therapy sessions, empowering individuals to manage stress, anxiety, or mood fluctuations in daily life.

Techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness, and meditation equip people with tools to better handle distressing situations.

Holistic therapy also emphasizes prevention, encouraging proactive care to maintain emotional, physical, social, and spiritual wellness before issues arise.

Effectiveness

Due to its diverse methods, assessing holistic therapy’s effectiveness can be challenging; however, it often incorporates evidence-based treatments such as CBT and brief dynamic psychotherapy.

Practices like acupuncture, yoga, and deep breathing have demonstrated benefits for various health concerns.

Research indicates that integrated holistic care offers multiple advantages:

• A 2017 study highlighted cost-effective physical and mental health benefits from holistic approaches.
• Mindfulness and meditation are proven to reduce anxiety and stress and can be adapted for different needs.
• Guided imagery may enhance sleep quality, mood, relaxation, and stress reduction.
• Deep breathing techniques help lower stress and promote relaxation, benefiting both body and mind.

Considerations

Like all therapies, holistic treatment requires active participation and openness to addressing emotional and mental challenges. It often involves hands-on involvement.

The Cleveland Clinic advises that holistic therapy complements rather than replaces conventional medical care, supporting healing and overall wellness.

Therapists might start with traditional psychotherapy before introducing alternative methods.

Approaching treatment with an open mind enhances the potential benefits of holistic therapy.

Getting Started

If you’re interested in holistic therapy, consider these steps before beginning:

Find a Therapist

Locate a qualified holistic therapist nearby. While some services are available online, many hands-on treatments like massage or Reiki require in-person visits.

Consult your primary care doctor for referrals or use online directories to find therapists specializing in holistic methods. Keep in mind that practitioners might hold titles such as clinical psychologist or marriage and family therapist, so inquire about their specific techniques.

Get Help Now

We have reviewed and tested over 100 therapy services and apps, including Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain, to help you find the best online CBT options.

What to Expect

In your initial session, the therapist will assess your current functioning and collaborate with you to set treatment goals. Holistic therapy’s adaptable nature allows for ongoing evaluation and adjustment of your plan.

Discuss insurance and payment options upfront, as many holistic treatments may not be covered. Verify coverage with your provider before starting therapy.

Additional Resources

• Therapy
• Getting Started

Sources

Verywell Mind relies on high-quality, peer-reviewed studies to ensure accurate and trustworthy content. Learn more about our editorial process.

1. Brom D, Stokar Y, Lawi C, et al. Somatic experiencing for posttraumatic stress disorder: a randomized controlled outcome study. J Trauma Stress. 2017;30(3):304-312. doi:10.1002/jts.22189
2. Cleveland Clinic. Holistic psychotherapy.
3. Shafran R, Bennett SD, McKenzie Smith M. Interventions to support integrated psychological care and holistic health outcomes in paediatrics. Healthcare (Basel). 2017;5(3):44. Published 2017 Aug 16. doi:10.3390/healthcare5030044
4. Behan C. The benefits of meditation and mindfulness practices during times of crisis such as COVID-19. Ir J Psychol Med. 2020 Dec;37(4):256-258. doi:10.1017/ipm.2020.38
5. Cleveland Clinic. Guided imagery.
6. Ma X, Yue ZQ, Gong ZQ, et al. The effect of diaphragmatic breathing on attention, negative affect and stress in healthy adults. Front Psychol. 2017;8:874. Published 2017 Jun 6. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00874

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd
Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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