Integrative Medicine for Mental Health

Harvest vegetables- Healthy Nutrition is part of Integrative Medicine
Vibrant foods are one ingredient of integrative health!

Integrative medicine is prevalent nationwide and globally. It is considered part of evidence-based medicine. Integrative medicine is a form of holistic medicine often called integrative health. It is a burgeoning field of healthcare that encompasses many whole health systems. As a whole-person model, integrative healthcare supports optimal well-being using safe, effective health-promoting approaches. Indeed, this model is rapidly becoming the preferred treatment for preventing and recovering from stress and illness. Because it is so popular and effective, we are now in a paradigm shift where more healthcare dollars are spent on this model than on mainstream medicine.

As part of this progressive movement, I became certified as an integrative mental health professional. This is a sub-specialty within the integrative health field for therapists, counselors, and psychologists. When we work together, you will benefit from my decades-long experience as a psychotherapist and in the health field. I blend traditional therapy with a comprehensive wellness approach that nurtures physical and emotional well-being and relationships. For additional clarity about this burgeoning model, follow this link to the paradigm shift to integrative health.  To reach out to me, see HERE.

Integrative Medicine for Mental Health is a Strength-Based Model

Upright Feather by the ocean-Integrative Medicine helps us be strong.
Have faith in your inner healing power.

Practitioners of Integrative medicine for mental health draw upon their unique skills and training. Accordingly, I will provide well-rounded care to you and help you to improve your stress resilience. In addition to supportive therapy, you may benefit from some of the integrative therapies I offer. These include nutritional and plant medicine, mind-body approaches, and dream work.

My work also incorporates an evidence-based strength-based therapy model. This means we will build on your inner strengths so you can more readily work through your challenges and move toward optimal health and wellness.

What are the Benefits of an Integrative Mental Health Model?

Happy woman listening to music. Music therapy is an integrative medicine therapy.
Listening to classical music balances the brain's hemispheres.

Integrative medicine for mental health has many advantages. For instance, many holistic psychotherapists, such as myself, have received advanced training in understanding the body-mind-spirit connection. This evidence-based model has proved more effective than talk therapy alone for stress, anxiety, depression, and other conditions. As a whole-person model, it supports your body’s natural ability to heal, reduces stress and promotes a state of relaxation that leads to better health.

Another benefit of this approach is increased self-awareness. For example, you may have various symptoms and yet be unaware of how they relate to one another. Exploring the many aspects of your health, relationships, and unique stressors and how they interconnect will enhance your mind-body wisdom. As you begin to feel better, your motivation, self-care, and health will improve.

Integrative medicine for mental health will help you achieve optimal health when you engage in your own healing and feel empowered to make lifestyle changes. It is also collaborative; any therapy that is helpful to you is welcomed and encouraged. And, finally, gaining control over your health is one of the great benefits of integrative mental health therapy.

Questions? Please reach out to me below. Thanks!

Holistic Nutrition is More than What You Eat

Yoga prep stuff
Yoga and meditation also nurture us.

Holistic nutrition is an essential part of an integrative medicine model that nurtures your body, mind, and soul. For instance, individualized diet and nutritional approaches help your body make neurotransmitters and stabilize blood sugar and cortisol levels. When you improve your diet and address nutritional deficiencies, your anxiety, mood, cognition, sleep, and general health will improve. Also, foods rich in Omega 3’s, antioxidants, and phytonutrients can reduce inflammation.

Sometimes, medications may have been tried and are no longer working, or you may be looking for additional support. To complement what you are already doing, you may want to incorporate an integrative mental health tool such as nutritional support or plant medicine. It is also important to coordinate care with your providers.

Holistic nutrition nurtures the body, mind, and soul. For example, you may be struggling with low self-esteem, lack of worthiness, exhaustion, burnout, or insomnia. Integrative medicine offers an array of beneficial therapies that you may wish to explore. For example, in addition to supportive counseling, holistic nutrition, and plant medicine, you may benefit from mind-body practices such as yoga to help resolve these issues.

For more information, see Stress Eating.  I look forward to supporting you!

Mind-Body Therapies are Effective Integrative Health Modalities

Man absorbing nature's healing beauty represent nature healiang as an important integrative medicine modality.
Nature healing nourishes the soul.

You may also benefit from my training in mind-body-soul therapies, including yoga therapy, meditation, and dream exploration. These approaches address the disconnect between body, mind, and soul that results in illness. Essentially, integrative medicine for mental health emphasizes that healing the body is not possible without healing the soul. Likewise, your body is your friend. It wants to be in balance and needs your support.  When you learn to care for your body, your psycho-spiritual health will also improve.

Other examples of healing the soul (the psyche) include nature healing and music therapyResearch indicates that listening to classical music like Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven balances both brain hemispheres to heal depression, anxiety, and other stress-related symptoms.

For further details, see Blogs, Therapies for Chronic Stress, Healing and Soul Care, and other resources at the bottom of this page. Thanks.

Integrative Medicine for Mental Health Summary

Green forest stream - Integrative Medicine heals us naturally.
Flowing with life allows healing to occur.

In conclusion, when we work together, you will benefit from my ability to blend personalized, evidence-based therapies with my intuitive counseling style to support you and enhance your health and well-being.

Feel free to contact me below with any questions or to schedule an appointment. I look forward to working with you!

For more information, see Services, Wellness and Therapy,

Resources, Health Information,

and Blogs, Botanical Medicine, and Holistic Health and Wellness

Iris Healing Arts
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