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Writer's picturepeter gagliardo

Holistic Counseling, Where To Start?


Let's take a closer look at the holistic form of counseling. The goal of holistic counseling is to achieve an improved mental, physical and spiritual state. A holistic counselor knows clients as a whole; they use an integrative approach to healing the mind. These counselors do not see the client as damaged and needing repair; instead, they focus on helping the client release inner spiritual perfection.

However, some holistic counselors prefer to have clients validate their personal orientation and overlay it on the mind and body treatment being done in the therapeutic setting. Holistic counselors do not abandon the methods used historically; however, they prefer to integrate them into additional observations based on the client's physical and mental assessments. In other words, while traditional counseling approaches consider the psychological consequences of problems and behaviors, holistic counseling assesses and addresses the effects on both physical and psychological.

Holistic counselors focus on the interaction between mind, body, and spirit. Then they develop a treatment plan based on how problems in one area of ​​a person's life can lead to problems in other areas. Holistic counseling may vary from person to person, as treatment is based on specific needs, goals, and interests.

Holistic approaches and counseling involve treating the "whole" person from within. A holistic approach aims to balance all aspects of the personality so that treatment is directed at the complete person and not just one part. This includes studying your life experience and the spiritual, physical, and psychological aspects of your life, not just the problem you're struggling with.

The concept of holistic counseling suggests that a person's self-awareness (or consciousness) is not located in a specific area. Instead, it's in the whole person. This includes your body, thoughts, feelings, or emotions and the function of their interaction within the body and the spiritual (the upper part of the personality, connecting others and understanding meaning). It is based on the belief that if one aspect is turned off, it will affect all others. Therefore, in your holistic treatment plan, work will focus on the connections between mind, body, and spirit. This is to help you, first-handed, to understand how one aspect of your life manifests as a problem in other areas. Additionally, health-oriented therapists often work with people to find balance in caring for their mind, body, and spirit.

Some health professionals, known as holistic therapists or counselors, work to support clients' overall well-being, including their physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being. Holistic counselors are professionals who support all aspects of a client's health. Holistic counselors help clients achieve optimal well-being by assessing and recommending mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being strategies.

Holistic counseling has proven beneficial to many who have tried and used it. It also helps teach a person to better understand their needs and stressors. As a result, holistic counseling and holistic therapy are becoming more popular in many counseling centers, offering a very different approach to addressing mental health in general.

However, some research suggests that many different approaches used in holistic therapy may help certain mental health conditions. For example, one study found that holistic treatments including Reiki, Hypnotherapy, and relaxation techniques helped breast cancer patients cope with physical pain. It also reduced negative emotional responses to treatment. The essence of holistic counseling is perfect for those engaged in this form of therapy.


With the support of a qualified health and wellness professional, those undergoing holistic counseling can tune in to full awareness, often leading to greater self-acceptance. In addition, those who seek holistic healing through in-person or online therapy can do so to gain a more profound and more fundamental acceptance of their whole self.

Holistic therapy sessions usually begin by reviewing your current physical and emotional state. In group settings, sharing personal information at this stage is typically optional. Still, it helps the group work together, support each other, and meet everyone's needs. The reverse may also be true; a holistic therapist may recommend a form of physical therapy, such as exercise, to treat psychological problems such as anxiety. Holistic counseling aims to achieve optimal health and well-being by adjusting all parts of a person, including body, mind, spirit, and emotions.


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