When most people think about therapy, they picture sitting across from a therapist and talking about their thoughts and feelings. While talking can be an important part of the therapeutic process, there are many ways to explore emotional well-being.
A holistic approach to therapy looks at the whole person—including emotional, mental, physical, relational, and, when meaningful to the client, spiritual well-being.
Rather than focusing on just one part of your life, holistic therapy can encourage you to consider how different areas of your life are connected.
What Does “Holistic” Mean?
Holistic means looking at the bigger picture.
Your mental health doesn't exist separately from the rest of your life. Your sleep, relationships, stress levels, physical health, environment, values, and daily routines can all influence how you feel.
A holistic approach may encourage you to explore questions such as:
- How does stress show up in your body?
- What helps you feel grounded and present?
- Are your daily habits supporting your well-being?
- How do your relationships affect your emotional health?
- What values are important to you?
- Are there spiritual or personal beliefs that provide meaning or comfort?
The goal isn't to address every area at once. Instead, it is about understanding you as a whole person and considering what approaches may support your individual goals.
Mind, Body, and Emotions
Our thoughts, emotions, and physical experiences can influence one another.
For example, ongoing stress may affect sleep, energy, muscle tension, or concentration. At the same time, being physically exhausted or overwhelmed can make it harder to manage difficult emotions.
Therapy may incorporate practices that help you become more aware of these connections. Depending on your therapist's training and your preferences, this could include mindfulness, breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, movement, grounding exercises, or creative expression.
Exploring Spirituality in Therapy
For some people, spirituality is an important part of their identity and overall well-being.
Spirituality can mean different things to different people. It may involve religious beliefs, meditation, connection with nature, personal values, mindfulness, or other practices that provide a sense of meaning and connection.
If spirituality is important to you, you can talk with your therapist about whether and how you would like it incorporated into your therapeutic work.
Therapy should respect your beliefs rather than impose a particular belief system on you.
Understanding Chakras and Energy
Some people are also interested in practices involving chakras and energy.
In traditions that use the chakra system, chakras are described as centers of energy within the body. Different chakras are traditionally associated with different aspects of physical, emotional, or spiritual experience.
People who practice chakra-based wellness may use meditation, visualization, breathwork, movement, or other practices with the intention of creating greater balance or alignment.
For some individuals, these practices can provide a meaningful way to reflect on emotions, personal experiences, values, and their sense of connection.
It is important to recognize that chakra systems come from spiritual and traditional practices rather than being established medical structures. They can be explored as part of someone's personal or spiritual wellness without presenting them as a replacement for evidence-based mental health treatment.
What Could a Holistic Therapy Session Look Like?
There isn't one specific way holistic therapy has to look.
Depending on the therapist's training and your goals, a session might still involve traditional conversation while also incorporating other techniques.
For example, a therapist might invite you to:
- Practice mindfulness or intentional breathing
- Notice physical sensations associated with emotions
- Use grounding techniques
- Explore your personal values
- Incorporate creative expression
- Discuss spirituality or personal beliefs
- Practice relaxation techniques
- Reflect on patterns in your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors
The approach should be personalized to you.
You Don't Have to Believe in Everything
Trying a holistic approach doesn't mean you have to adopt a particular belief system or practice every technique.
Therapy should be collaborative. You can be curious about mindfulness but not interested in meditation. You might find creative expression helpful but not connect with chakra practices. Or you may want spirituality to be an important part of your therapeutic work.
There is room to explore what works for you and leave behind what doesn't.
Finding Balance in Your Own Way
Starting therapy doesn't have to mean choosing between traditional talk therapy and a holistic approach.
For many people, different approaches can complement one another. The most important part is finding a therapeutic process that feels appropriate for your needs, goals, values, and comfort level.
You don't have to have everything figured out before starting.
If you're interested in exploring a more holistic approach to mental wellness, talk with your therapist about what that could look like for you. Together, you can explore ways to support your mental and emotional well-being while honoring the different parts of what makes you, you.
We Can Help
If you or someone you love is struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, or other mental health concerns, our team is here to help.
Meet Jeanie Shade.
Jeanie Shade incorporates Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) into her work with clients, helping them become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and behavioral patterns. Rather than reacting automatically to difficult emotions, Jeanie guides clients in learning how to recognize reactive moods and behaviors, reconnect with the present moment, and respond with greater intention and self-compassion.
Her approach helps clients discover what it feels like to find their center, navigate life's challenges with greater awareness, and build lasting skills for emotional well-being.
If you or someone you know is interested in receiving therapy from Jeanie or any of our other qualified clinicians, please visit our website, call or text us at 479-403-2915, or email [email protected] to get matched with a provider and schedule a consultation.
