A growing number of mental health experts are seeing the benefits of how holistic approaches, especially when paired with conventional therapies or medication, can significantly improve treatment outcomes.
Holistic treatment facilities provide a model of mental health care that addresses root causes and underlying factors that influence mental health problems, such as stress, diet, environment, and emotional distress—rather than just focusing on treating symptoms.
Holistic healing approaches focus on strengthening the relationship between the mind and the body to reduce anxiety and depression, process trauma, improve mood, relieve stress, and develop positive coping skills.
The New Standard of Mental Health Treatment
Mental health treatment has evolved greatly over just the past few decades. Throughout most of the 1900s, one of the most common ways to treat people with mental health challenges in the US was to institutionalize them.
Institutions were often located in psychiatric hospitals, and many of them were overcrowded or lacked hygiene. It was common for patients who were institutionalized to be stripped of their autonomy, isolated from others, and even abused by staff. Deinstitutionalization (the switch from inpatient facilities to community-based care and outpatient treatment) began in the mid-1950s. However, this was a slow shift, not an overnight solution, with many people still institutionalized well into the 1970s [1].
Today, mental health treatment is safer, regulated, and more effective than ever. Many therapies are supported by years of peer-reviewed, evidence-based research, setting new standards for mental health treatment. The field continues to grow and improve as new technology, insights, and advances are made.
Mental health professionals are also pushing to adopt more personalized approaches to treatment that focus on individual mental health needs guided by the principles of trauma-sensitive care, such as empowerment, safety, collaboration with providers, peer support, and cultural sensitivity.
How Has Treatment Evolved?
Mental health treatment has moved away from outdated approaches to more humane and effective approaches like psychotherapy, medication, community-based care, and holistic practices that encourage lifestyle changes.
Some historical approaches (now discredited) that were once used to treat mental health include:
- Lobotomies: This was a surgical procedure, standard in the 1950s to treat symptoms of mental health disorders that included severing connections and removing parts of the pre-frontal cortex.
- Insulin Coma Therapy: Also known as insulin shock therapy, this was a psychiatric treatment developed in the 1920s that used insulin injections to induce comas in patients with schizophrenia.
- Bloodletting: Used throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, this was the intentional removal of blood from the body. It was believed to release the body of evil energy, spirits, or toxins that caused mental health symptoms.
- Exorcisms: Historically, mental health symptoms were once viewed as possession by evil spirits, and exorcism was often used to treat a variety of conditions.
Modern Mental Health Therapies
Mental health therapies have come a long way from the barbaric tactics once used. Most mental health treatment centers must follow rigorous safety protocols, have trained, licensed, and compassionate staff, and offer evidence-based therapies.
Some of the most common, modern-day approaches to treating mental health problems are somatic body-based therapies, trauma therapies like EMDR, and cognitive therapies.
Somatic Therapy: Healing Through Body Awareness
Somatic therapy aids in trauma recovery by helping patients understand how their bodies process trauma and painful experiences. Amanda Baker, Director of The Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital, says that “somatic therapy focuses on how emotions appear within the body”.
She explains that somatic therapies follow the theory that our body holds and expresses experiences and emotions. And that trauma or unresolved emotional issues can become “trapped”, leading to psychological disturbances and chronic health conditions [2].
Somatic therapists help release these pent-up emotions by using a variety of mind-body healing techniques. These can vary, ranging from acupuncture and breathwork to dance. The core concept of somatic therapy is encouraging physical awareness and helping patients recognize where pain or tension emerges when working through memories of trauma or emotional distress.
EMDR: Rewiring Trauma and Addiction
The Department of Veterans Affairs recognized Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) as one of the leading treatments for trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) [3]. Although initially designed for the treatment of trauma disorders, EMDR therapy for addiction is also growing as a field to help those in substance abuse recovery address trauma that drives the cycle of addiction.
EMDR is a structured therapy that uses guided eye movements and auditory stimulation to help patients desensitize memories of trauma, integrate them into the rest of the brain’s memory, and reduce associated psychological distress. Studies have found that EMDR can rewire brain pathways to reduce activity in the amygdala (brain structure linked to stress and fear responses) [4]
ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy)
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a highly effective, scripted, and structured form of psychotherapy. Although it has similarities to EMDR, such as guided eye movements, ART is easier on the patient and does not require them to re-live the unpleasant experience with verbal or memory recall.
This allows the ART experience to happen after little interaction between the therapist and patient, effectively replacing distressing images with pleasant images, thereby eliminating the triggers in as little as one session.
CBT and DBT: Conventional, Evidence-Based Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) are two of the most commonly used therapies to treat a variety of mental health challenges and substance abuse disorders. CBT helps reframe negative thoughts, situations, and perspectives that increase mental health challenges like anxiety or depression. It also helps patients set short and long-term goals, and encourages building positive coping skills.
DBT effectively teaches patients how to manage negative emotions and build resilience. It focuses on four key concepts: mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Holistic Healing
Holistic healing techniques help patients process the underlying emotions and distress that increase symptoms of mental health problems. Holistic approaches are effective when paired with conventional treatments to support a range of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and personality disorders.
Two of the most effective holistic healing approaches to support mental health recovery are mindfulness practices and creative art therapies.
Mindfulness and Yoga: More Than Just Stretching
Mindfulness practices such as meditation, yoga, holotropic breathwork, sound baths, and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) help patients with mental health challenges observe their thoughts and feelings in a safe and non-judgmental way. They encourage participants to stay present in the moment and focus on how their thoughts influence their feelings, mood, and behavior.
MBSR is a structured, evidence-based program that teaches mindfulness practices to promote healing of the mind and body. Common tools one learns during MBSR include [5]:
- Body scan: Type of meditation that helps participants become aware of physical sensations.
- Mindful movement: Gentle yoga or stretching that releases pent-up negative emotions and tension.
- Daily awareness practice: Build self-awareness around one’s thoughts, feelings, moods, and behaviors.
Creative Arts Therapies and Emotional Expression
The process of creating art and emotional expression is unique for each individual and can aid in processing and relieving emotional distress. Several forms of creative art therapy are used to support mental health and substance abuse recovery. These include:
- Visual Arts, such as painting, drawing, scrapbooking, sculpting, and pottery, can help patients bring their feelings to life through physical works of art.
- Expressive writing, such as poetry, journaling, or storytelling can help those in recovery organize their thoughts and express themselves in a creative, yet structured way.
- Sensory-based therapies like dance, music, and drama can help release stored trauma, emotions, and tension in the body.
Other Holistic Practices for Mind and Body Healing
There are several holistic practices that individuals can do on their own and incorporate as part of their daily routines for positive mental health and emotional well-being. Common ones include:
- Daily movement and exercise include walking, hiking, biking, swimming, or dancing.
- Balanced diet that consists of whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables improves brain and gut health, supporting things like mood, concentration, and energy.
- Healthy sleep hygiene and maintaining a regular sleep pattern (7 to 9 hours a night) is recommended for optimal health and cognitive performance.
- Stress management such as mindfulness meditation, listening to music, using essential oils, and massage therapy.
- Staying connected to friends, family, and loved ones gives individuals a sense of purpose and fosters community, which can improve their emotional well-being.
- Vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies are plant-based treatments to boost mood, relieve stress, increase energy, and improve mental well-being. These could include magnesium, vitamin B, ashwagandha root, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Holistic Healing and Therapy at Maple Mountain Mental Health and Wellness
Whether through therapy, medication, or holistic practices, recovery is within reach. Seeking help is a sign of strength, and you don’t have to navigate the journey alone. Maple Mountain Mental Health & Wellness Center has a compassionate team of trauma-informed therapists who are here to provide comprehensive support that aids in mind-body healing.
We understand the complex nature of trauma and offer individualized treatment options. Healing starts with taking the first step. Reach out to our Admissions team today.
References
[1] Cycles of reform in the history of psychosis treatment in the United States. 2023. National Library of Medicine.
[2] Somatic Therapy. 2023. Harvard University Health.
[3] Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for PTSD. US Department of Veterans Affairs.
[4] Eye-Movement Intervention Enhances Extinction via Amygdala Deactivation. 2018. National Library of Medicine.
[5] The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on the Psychological Functioning of Healthcare Professionals. 2020. National Library of Medicine.
