Which Holistic Treatment Is Right for You?

Holistic therapy can encourage positive changes during treatment and recovery from mental health and substance use disorders. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “A person’s recovery is built on his or her strengths, talents, coping abilities, resources, and inherent values.” Vanity Wellness Center’s holistic approach uses awareness of a client’s personal goals and specific circumstances to determine which treatment option will provide the best outcome.

What Is Holistic Therapy?

Holistic therapy looks beyond the disorder to the underlying issues and risk factors. This type of therapy takes into account any personal preferences that might be useful in creating a comprehensive treatment plan. During rehabilitation, holistic therapy focuses on providing a solid foundation of healthy coping mechanisms and the ability to identify, process, and regulate emotional responses. Holistic continuing care looks at every facet of your life and how it relates to your disorder, recovery, mindset, and behaviors.

Brief Descriptions of Our Holistic Therapies

Holistic therapies build a foundation for future growth. Below are brief descriptions of the holistic methods of treatment offered at the Vanity Wellness Center.

#1. Art and Music Therapy

Creative activities are excellent for self-expression and processing emotions and thoughts that are difficult to articulate. Art and music are common mediums for individuals who find it challenging to fully express themselves in a typical therapeutic setting. You can use art and music therapy to heal from the damaging effects of substance use disorder (SUD) and related conditions. Some benefits include:

• Improved memory, cognition, and problem-solving skills
• Decreased anxiety, stress, and depressive symptoms
• Enhanced non-verbal communication
• Increased emotional intelligence

#2. Writing Therapy

For centuries, healers and mental health professionals have been using writing as a therapeutic tool. Modern therapy often uses creative writing, free association, and journaling to provide an emotional outlet for individuals struggling with subconscious issues and maladaptive behaviors. The benefits are well documented and include:

• Increased self-awareness
• Lower stress levels
• Mood stabilization
• Increased mindfulness and introspection

#3. Mindfulness and Social Skill Development

Mindfulness-based techniques are highly adaptable, and therapists often combine them with traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Focusing on the present moment and the sensations you feel can be a truly enlightening experience. Some standard mindfulness exercises include:

• Mindful walking
• Single-task activities
• Breathwork
• Mindful listening

During sessions, you will work with a therapist to learn how to become more aware of your body and surroundings. Many stressful or uncomfortable situations can be improved using grounding techniques taught in mindfulness therapy.

#4. Dance and Movement Therapy

Dance and movement therapy share a lot of similarities with mindfulness therapy because they both involve becoming more aware of yourself and how you interact with the external world. A few benefits of this type of therapy include:

• Making positive social connections
• Improving nonverbal communication and body language
• Building trust and boundaries
• Increased self-confidence and self-awareness

Many facilities like the Vanity Wellness Center use dance therapy to improve emotion processing and self-expression. Movements can become metaphors for feelings and thoughts. The specific types of dancing used during a session will vary depending on the individual.

#5. Improvisation Psychotherapy

Many holistic therapies incorporate self-expression. Finding healthy ways to communicate how you feel can replace previous maladaptive coping methods like substance misuse. Improvisation psychotherapy combines aspects of roleplaying and spontaneous creativity to reveal the connections between unconscious thoughts and behaviors. Many therapists use improvisation alongside other holistic therapies like art or music therapy to create new and unique sounds, movements, stories, or images in the moment. The results often build confidence and improve self-esteem.

#6. Psychodrama

Healing from trauma is different for everyone, and what works for one person might not for another. Psychodrama is one of the many options for analyzing and ultimately overwriting trauma responses. According to Frontiers in Psychology, “Psychodrama is an experiential approach, often used in psychotherapy, that integrates role-playing techniques, dramatic enactment, and spontaneous improvisation.” The client and therapist work together to roleplay certain situations in a safe way. The exercises can rewrite how the brain stores the traumatic memory. Doing this decreases triggered responses like anxiety or fear.

#7. Yoga

Yoga can enhance the effectiveness of other treatments. According to the Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice, “Yoga and related therapies appear to be a promising intervention” for some mental health and substance use disorders. Yoga exercises encourage deep breathing, mindfulness, and meditation. Benefits of practicing this form of therapy include:

• Lower stress levels
• Decreased risk of medical conditions like heart disease
• Mood stabilization
• Better focus

Yoga is versatile and does not require any prior experience. In addition to providing a low-impact exercise routine for your physical health, yoga can also improve cognition and emotional resilience.