Coined from the Greek word, “holos”, meaning “whole” or “complete”, holistic therapies approach disease and disorders as parts of a greater whole. Rather than treating just the symptoms, a holistic practitioner looks deeper and tries to uncover underlying causes. Holistic counsellors look at the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and spirit to help facilitate wellness.
Holistic counselling uses an integrative approach to healing the mind, while supporting the client’s spiritual health in the process. A holistic counsellor will consider all the client’s life experience, emotional health, and what has transpired with their behaviours and circumstances as a result to establish the root of the problem within psychological and spiritual contexts.
Holistic therapy sessions are similar in that to normal counselling sessions, in that they, are done in a private and confidentiality and in a non-judgmental environment. However, in the holistic approach to counselling different techniques are used such as meditation therapy, journaling, inner child work, relaxation techniques and stress management skills, through various activities that may take place during the session helps the client reconnect with their inner strength and regain control of their life. The holistic counsellor will use psychotherapy but also mindfulness, art, affirmations.
Holistic counselling may help you achieve:
• Greater self-awareness and self -acceptance
• A more peaceful, centered approach to life
• Greater health and vitality
• Emotional well being
• A deepened sense of spirituality
• A greater ability to cope with traumas such as death, divorce, and abuse
• An enhanced feeling of optimism and self esteem