Rather than mental health treatment, as usual, many treatment facilities have taken on a new approach to mental health treatment utilizing effective, evidence-based holistic mental health treatment options instead.
Holistic medicine is a form of healing that considers the whole person — body, mind, spirit, and emotions. It considers all mental and social factors rather than just the present symptoms of mental health disorder. It attempts to address the root cause of mental health struggles and heal the entire body.
As an effective solution to help people on their recovery journey, many treatment centers now offer holistic mental health treatment programs and services. Treatment Connection, an online resource for those who suffer from mental health disorders and their families, can connect you or a loved one with the facility to best suit your needs. Use the online portal to find a treatment program near you.
Holistic Treatment Methods
Taking a holistic approach to mental health treatment simply means that treatment options encompass an overall well-being methodology. While talk therapy and medications may be necessary in some cases and for some levels of mental illness, some people may respond very well to alternative methods of treatment in their treatment plan.
Some effective, evidence-based holistic treatment options include:
Recreational Therapy
The goal of recreation therapy is to reduce mental health issues by lowering stress and anxiety through relaxation, recovering basic motor functioning through physical activity, enhancing reasoning abilities, building confidence, and improving communication. Recreational activities may include:
- Arts and crafts
- Animals
- Sports
- Games and puzzles
- Dance and movement
- Drama and comedy
- Community outings
Equine Therapy
Sometimes referred to as horse-assisted therapy, equine therapy is a form of treatment where individuals work through their issues by developing a relationship with horses. Clients work with horses to develop and promote self-esteem, address fear and anxiety stemming from trauma, and practice empathy. Through equine therapy, many of those with substance use and mental health disorders may also learn to become more mindful and develop and practice patience.
In equine therapy, individuals build up a more active and positive sense of self as they do work with the animals. It is a means to feel actively useful and needed increasing one’s sense of responsibility and acceptance. One of the reasons this form of therapy is so effective, fostering higher rehab retention and completion rates, is how it diverges from the usual therapeutic approaches. In equine therapy, individuals aren’t receiving direct treatment for their substance use disorder but rather a kind of adjunct therapy allowing them to commit more effectively to other concurrent treatments.
Art Therapy
Self-expression in any form is proven to be an effective treatment method as measured by the SERATS scale. This tool helps validate that “making art in a healthy way serves as positive emotion regulation and self-development” and is beneficial to mental health recovery. Common medium for self-expression may include:
- Drawing
- Painting
- Sculpting
- Collage
- Photography
- Music Therapy
Music has a soothing, relaxing effect on many people, and it is no different in music therapy. Trained musicians encourage clients to express their feelings and emotions creatively through singing, listening, and moving to music.
Yoga Therapy
A yoga therapy program is designed to heal and strengthen the body, mind, and spirit. Yoga poses can be easy to do and can improve your overall well-being as well as other physical and mental benefits such as:
- Increased flexibility, muscle strength, and tone
- Improved breathing, energy, and vitality
- Weight reduction
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Improved mental calmness
Benefits of Holistic Mental Health Treatment
The mind has a potent effect on the body. Therefore it is logical that if the mind is happy, the body will follow suit. There are many benefits of holistic mental health treatment, each revolving around developing and nurturing the mind-body connection to ensure life-long success in recovery.
The tools and skills learned in holistic treatment can be used in all areas of a person’s life to help them handle the many stresses, conflicts, and triggers that will inevitably threaten their mental health. Physically, holistic therapies help to relieve stress, relax tight muscles, and improve the immune system. The mental benefits of holistic therapy reach far and wide, touching all aspects of a person’s wellbeing, including creating an improved sense of self, increasing mental clarity, and reducing stress and anxiety.
Even for those who do not suffer from mental health issues, the benefits of holistic therapy methods have proven to be a tremendously effective and easy way to maintain health and well-being.
Treatment Connection: The Source for Holistic Treatment Options
Treatment Connection, an online resource for mental health treatment programs, connects those searching for therapy options with facilities and caregivers that can help. Use the online portal to learn more about the many centers near you to provide you with the mental health treatment options you or a loved one need and deserve.
