Your mental health is a key part of your overall well-being, so you should care for your mind as well as your body. However, you might be overwhelmed by your behavioral health care options. Psychiatric medicine and holistic therapy are two approaches to treatment, and choosing the right method for you can enhance your care experience.
What Is the Difference Between Psychiatric Medicine and Holistic Therapy?
Psychiatric Medicine vs. Holistic Therapy
While there are many approaches to mental and behavioral health care, you’ll likely come across two main types: psychiatric medicine and holistic therapy. Understanding the differences between these two methods can help you have agency in your care plan.
Psychiatric medicine involves prescribing medication to treat a behavioral health condition, such as depression and anxiety. In this approach, psychiatrists diagnose the condition through psychological testing and prescribe a treatment. Treatment may include psychotherapy as well as medication.
As the name suggests, holistic therapy takes a more integrative approach to mental health care. Holistic therapy gets to the root of the behavioral health concern and treats the condition from many angles. A typical holistic therapy treatment plan might include individual and group therapy, yoga for mental health, and health coaching in addition to comprehensive medication management. However, each patient will have a different experience.
Both psychiatric medicine and holistic therapy involve working with licensed mental health professionals, and each approach can be effective. It all comes down to your personal preference and needs.
The Holistic Therapy Difference
Providing a more complete approach to mental health care, holistic therapy can be a healthy and supportive part of your healing journey. Holistic behavioral health services put your needs at the center and provide a safe environment for growth. Some of the benefits of holistic therapy include:
- Individual Solutions: Your holistic therapy team will curate your services based on your individual needs. If you’re struggling with grief, for example, they might recommend group therapy in addition to your individual counseling appointments. And those with eating disorders can work with a therapist and nutrition counselor, for example.
- Integrative Treatments: Holistic therapy focuses on the body-mind connection, so you can focus on every part of your well-being. This can involve talking to a therapist on a weekly basis while checking in monthly with a health coach. Your holistic care team will help you put the pieces together.
- Ongoing Trust: By putting the focus on the individual, holistic therapy practitioners build trust with their patients over time. And this trust can be invaluable when it comes to your healing. Your therapist and other clinicians on the care team will create a safe and confidential environment for you to discuss every aspect of your well-being.
The bottom line is that holistic therapy encompasses parts of traditional psychiatric medicine and more. By taking a more integrative approach to mental and behavioral health care, holistic clinicians can support the healing and overall well-being of their patients.
Interested in holistic therapy for your mental health concerns? The team at SOL Mental Health is proud to offer comprehensive behavioral health services. Our holistic wellness coaches and therapists offer services at our area offices and online. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our providers.
Does My Insurance Cover a Therapist at SOL Mental Health?
SOL Mental Health is partnered with several insurance providers to make our services more accessible to you. You can verify your insurance through our website before scheduling an appointment.
