A Holistic Approach to Therapy For Anxiety & Depression in BC and Ontario
As I often tell my students, the two most important phrases in therapy, as in yoga are
“Notice that“
“What happens next?”
Once you start approaching your body with curiosity rather than fear
everything shifts
-Bessel A. van der Kolk
What Is Holistic Therapy?
Holistic therapy is an approach to treating anxiety and depression that encompasses the whole person. Instead of looking at a problem from a narrow lens, a holistic therapist will take a much broader view. They will work with you to help you to take into consideration the physical, emotional, social and spiritual factors impacting your wellness and will strive to assist you to heal on a deeper level that can often facilitate an increase in self-awareness, self-acceptance & develop a sense of safety in the body.
What Techniques are Used in Holistic Therapy?
A holistic therapist will integrate a range of techniques to help you develop a better understanding of your concerns. These interventions are focused on helping you to increase your self-awareness and broaden your understanding about the relationship between your body, mind and spirit. Through this approach you will be helped to gain greater insight into the interconnectedness of all three elements and how they impact your mental health.
Many of the holistic techniques are also strategies that you can practice on your own outside of the therapy sessions. These approaches can be very helpful as you navigate situations in your daily life that might trigger stress and anxiety & learn to manage overwhelming emotions and thoughts more effectively.
Some holistic therapeutic modalities may include:
Mindfulness: slowing down, present moment awareness, tapping into your 5 senses/grounding techniques
Focused Meditation practices: breath-awareness, loving-kindness, body scans, visualization/guided imagery, mantra-based, soundbaths, movement modalities (yoga, dance, tai chi, walking)
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT): creating a healthy identity with the self by challenging core beliefs that deeply shape how we see ourselves, the world & others
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): connecting with the present for a rich and meaningful life. ACT helps to increase psychological flexibility to focus on your values (knowing what’s important) & to take committed action to begin building the life you want to be living
Ecotherapy or Nature Therapy: Spending time in nature to connect with the earth and the greater system. Find an activity that fuels your soul inside out: Hiking, forest bathing, running, biking, fishing, surfing, cold plunges, swimming, bird watching, photography & gardening-anything that strengthens your connection to the Mother earth!
Holistic approaches are also frequently focused on prevention as well as treatment. Rather than waiting until a problem develops or worsens, learning to utilize holistic treatments may be helpful for preventing problems that can harm a person's emotional, physical, social, or spiritual well-being.
“One of the most healing things you can do for yourself is to take care of yourself in the ways that you wish others had or would. You don’t need to keep waiting”
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant”
Is Holistic Therapy Effective?
There has been some research published indicating that integrated, holistic therapy can lead to positive outcomes.
Research has shown that mindfulness and meditation practices are helpful for reducing anxiety and stress and can be adapted for various purposes and situations. Visualizations & guided imagery, a technique frequently used in holistic therapy may lead to a more restful sleep, improved mood, decreased stress and increased sense of calm.
Studies have also demonstrated that deep breathing practices lead to a reduction in stress levels and promote relaxation, which can lead to improvements in mental, physical and spiritual health.
CBT and ACT have been applied successfully to treat both depression and anxiety and have shown to decrease negative symptoms and improve one’s quality of life.
Ecotherapy or nature therapy highlights the positive impacts on mental health in that it connects you to nature & to people in your community, which provides a sense of belonging. It has further shown to reduced psychological stress by having a calming effect on the mind and body improving both symptoms of anxiety & depression,
Breathe
by Becky Hemsley
She sat at the back and they said she was shy,
She led from the front and they hated her pride,
They asked her advice and then questioned her guidance,
They branded her loud, then were shocked by her silence,
When she shared no ambition they said it was sad,
So she told them her dreams and they said she was mad,
They told her they'd listen, then covered their ears,
And gave her a hug while they laughed at her fears,
And she listened to all of it thinking she should,
Be the girl they told her to be best as she could,
But one day she asked what was best for herself,
Instead of trying to please everyone else,
So she walked to the forest and stood with the trees,
She heard the wind whisper and dance with the leaves,
She spoke to the willow, the elm and the pine,
And she told them what she'd been told time after time,
She told them she felt she was never enough,
She was either too little or far far too much,
Too loud or too quiet, too fierce or too weak,
Too wise or too foolish, too bold or too meek,
Then she found a small clearing surrounded by firs,
And she stopped...and she heard what the trees said to her,
And she sat there for hours not wanting to leave,
For the forest said nothing, it just let her breathe.
Welcome!
I’m Corinne Teahen~a therapist located in Victoria, BC who provides a safe environment to be heard with the attention you need and the tools to make the changes you desire. I’m passionate about holistic health, listening to the intelligence of your body, living life to the fullest, and helping you to heal, grow, and thrive. I am a registered social worker offering individual counselling in a virtual/online format.
If you would like to find out more information about the services I offer, please visit my website at Corinne Teahen Integrated Healing . You have the option to book an individual therapy session or complimentary consultation online.
Feel feel to contact me by email : contact@corinneteahenintegratedhealing.com