What are holistic therapies?
17th January 2023
The term ‘holistic' originates from the Greek word 'holos', which means 'whole'. Holistic therapies refer to therapies that treat a person as a whole; mind, body and spirit. It is an overall term for a wide range of therapies and practices that treat the entire person and underlying causes of issues, considering physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual states of health and wellbeing.
Holistic therapies are often referred to as complementary or alternative therapies, which of course can be used alongside traditional medical approaches or on their own. Such therapies often allow individuals to better see the connections between mind, body and spirit and how this affects their mental health, physical health and overall wellness. This approach differs to ‘conventional medicine or therapies’ that often treat symptoms and issues in isolation, without considering root causes or the overall effect on the person.
Holistic therapies can provide support with:
- Mental health - depression, trauma, grief, anxiety, stress
- Physical health - illnesses, diseases, bodily aches, chronic pain, tension and fatigue
- Emotional health - feelings such as fear, anger, sadness, loss or worry
- Spiritual health - feeling empty, lost, disconnected, ungrounded and fragmented
Some of the most common holistic therapies include:
- Acupuncture
- Alexander Technique
- Aromatherapy
- Ajurveda
- Bowen Technique
- Crystal Healing
- Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
- Herbal Remedies
- Holistic Psychotherapy
- Homeopathy
- Hypnotherapy
- Kinesiology
- Light Therapy
- Massage Therapy
- Meditation
- Mindfulness
- Osteopathy
- Physiotherapy
- Reflexology
- Reiki
- Shiatsu
- Tai Chi
- Yoga
I work holistically within all my range of therapies, considering the person as a whole rather than ‘treating’ just one element; therefore, allowing an individual to heal on a much deeper and lasting level. These therapies include:
- Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Bereavement Counselling
- Hypnotherapy
- EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)
- Reiki Healing, Reiki Crystal Healing and Distant Healing
I work integratively within my mind-based therapies, meaning I blend various therapies together for each individual to promote the most effective change and healing. Working holistically with psychotherapy-based therapies allows me to use techniques to treat the whole, often incorporating person centred/humanistic therapy, psychodynamic therapy, CBT, solution focused therapy, transactional analysis, with deep relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, breathing techniques and where appropriate hypnotherapy. Such strategies and techniques are designed to promote a greater sense of self-awareness, to empower an individual to become more aware of aspects that affect their mental health and overall wellbeing. EMDR therapy also is practised holistically, again considering the whole persons wellbeing.
I also practice Reiki Healing, Crystal Healing and Distant Healing, which are often associated with more body-based therapies, yet also support mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing:
- Reiki is a 'hands-on' energy-based healing therapy which supports and encourages natural self-healing abilities, whilst promoting a feeling of deep relaxation and well-being. It is believed to help balance the body's natural energy systems, boosting the body's innate ability to heal itself, helping to alleviate the effects of pain and emotional discomfort, leaving you more able to cope with the stresses of daily living.
- Reiki Crystal Healing has all the benefits of Reiki with the addition of incorporating intuitively chosen crystals, to further complement the healing process.
- Reiki Distant Healing offers you the opportunity to energetically receive Reiki Healing/Reiki Crystal Healing, wherever you are. It can also be an effective method for children, pets and in chronic/traumatic situations where travel may not possible.
So, within my practice and throughout my therapy services, I work holistically and view everyone as a unique whole who has the innate wisdom to grow and change.
Over the years, I have not only practiced holistically but received many holistic treatments and therapies myself. I can certainly recommend the immense health benefits of Reiki Healing, Meditation, Acupuncture, Reflexology, Bowen Technique, Homeopathy and Yoga from my own personal experience. All these holistic therapies have been fundamental to my wellbeing and spiritual growth and enable me to keep balanced and well to practice and support others.
If you’re interested in finding out more details on holistic therapies and how they could support you, please look on my website. Also, please see the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) or the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT), for further information on complementary therapies and professional registered therapists.
“To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise we shall not be able to keep the mind strong and clear.”
–
Buddha
