Holistic psychotherapy utilizes traditional and non-traditional therapies of holistic healing with the purpose of creating an integration of the mind, body and spirit. The idea combines a broad range of different holistic approaches to help the patient reach the deepest level of healing possible.
Holistic psychotherapy services include traditional talk psychotherapy and non-traditional therapies including hypnosis, heart-centered hypnotherapy/regression therapy, creative art therapy, breath therapy, rebirthing breath and guided imagery. Holistic psychotherapy is only delivered by a clinician with a license in clinical social work, certification in advanced clinical hypnotherapy and a Master’s degree in creative art therapy.
Traditional Talk Psychotherapy
Traditional talk psychotherapy is used for patients not ready for non-traditional therapies. This approach includes psychoanalytic/psychodynamic, cognitive/behavioral, developmental, educational, family systems and humanistic therapies that utilize a strength perspective to match the individual needs of the patient.
Non-traditional Therapies
Non-traditional therapies are based on a variety of traditions, which tap into different levels of mind-body-spirit healing. These therapies involve energy work, elements from different traditions of healing as well as from the field of transpersonal psychology. All therapies have a strong spiritual component, which utilizes different levels of consciousness and spiritual awareness.
- Hypnosis is a treatment intervention that induces the client into a relaxed state. The clinician then provides post-hypnotic suggestion for relief from symptoms. A trance is a natural occurring state, so anyone can be hypnotized. Only a light to medium state of hypnotic trance is necessary for effective therapy.
- Heart-centered hypnotherapy or regression therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which the patient is placed in a hypnotic, altered state of consciousness for the purpose of re-working or re-framing unhealthy behaviors. This process can allow for deep healing to take place because of the energetic or emotional release and the level of insight that can be attained.
- Creative art therapy utilizes drawing, painting, sculpture, photography and other forms of visual art expression. The patient does not need to be artistically gifted to benefit from creative art therapy as it generally focuses on the symbolic meaning of the images, colors and the creative process.
- Breath therapy is a natural healing method that uses high vibrational energy to reduce stored emotions and past trauma that may contribute to disease. This type of therapy allows the patient to re-introduce breathing as a way to heal and restore the body, mind and spirit and activate healing agents in our body and soul.
- Rebirthing breath is based on the belief that trauma suffered during birth has a deep effect on the psyche and can shape perception and experience in life. This form of conscious connected breathing can help release negative emotions and beliefs that may create toxic patterns in the body.
- Guided imagery is widely used to create tangible changes in a patient’s overall health by actively creating images of well-being. It can help the patient reduce the effects of certain medical and emotional conditions.
During the first session, the clinician will go through a comprehensive assessment with the patient, which includes elements of a traditional bio-psycho-social assessment along with various holistic traditions. This first session lasts between 80 to 90 minutes and allows for the patient and clinician to set goals for treatment. Subsequent sessions are usually 45 to 50 minutes. During all sessions, the clinician will best address the patient’s specific needs, allowing for greater flexibility between the different therapies as treatment progresses.
Holistic psychotherapy can help reduce symptoms of various ailments
At the Center for Integrative Medicine, our holistic psychotherapy clinicians specialize in the treatment of physical illness and disease, emotional issues, family dynamics, stage of life issues, work-related issues, sexual abuse, trauma, addiction (substances, food and unwanted behaviors), and stress and anxiety. It does not take the place of traditional medicine, but does work in conjunction with it to help the healing process. Holistic psychotherapy primarily looks at specific areas of the body from an emotional, spiritual and energetic perspective and is designed to help heal the origin of the disease.
Each patient responds differently to holistic psychotherapy. The Center for Integrative Medicine recommends that patients attend each session with an open mind to receive the full benefits of the process. Patients currently prescribed psychotropic medications for mental health or who are under psychiatric treatment may still benefit from holistic psychotherapy.
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Schedule an appointment
To schedule an appointment for holistic psychotherapy or other integrative medicine services, call Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Integrative Medicine at 216.986.HEAL (4325).
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