The field of mental health treatment is experiencing a revolution.
Patients are growing tired of one-dimensional, talk-only therapy. They want more holistic options that treat their entire being.
They want integrative wellness.
Grouping mindfulness and wellness coaching with traditional therapy is creating impressive results. Mental health professionals are starting to take notice.
In this article, we’re going to dive into:
- Exactly what integrative wellness is
- Why traditional mental health care isn’t enough
- How mindfulness and wellness coaching changes the game
- The benefits of integrative approaches
Let’s get started.
What Is an Integrative Method to Mental Health?
At its core, integrative wellness involves combining various treatment methods to achieve the best results.
More and more people are moving away from relying on a single technique to improve their mental health. It’s about time.
Think about how you’d build a house. You wouldn’t use just one material for the entire process. You need a strong foundation. A roof. Walls. Pipes. You get the picture.
Integrative wellness can include things like:
- Mindfulness practices (meditation, breathing exercises, etc)
- Wellness coaching
- Traditional talk therapy
- Shifts to sleep, nutrition, and movement habits
The goal is to treat every aspect of your being. Doing so will lead to more effective, long-lasting results.
Traditional Mental Health Care Isn’t Enough
Here’s the thing…
Mental illness and illness are more prevalent than ever.
Conferring to the National Organization of Mental Health, nearly 57.8 million American adults suffer from some form of mental illness. That’s insane.
But wait, it gets worse.
Only half of those people receive treatment. And even among those who do, traditional methods aren’t leading to permanent change.
Why not?
Because most care isn’t addressing root causes. Sure, you can bandage up the problems of living with poor mental health. You can help someone feel better for a few months.
But unless you’re changing their life to support healthy habits, thought patterns, and stress responses…
The symptoms will eventually return.
Integrative treatment methods help solve this problem by targeting multiple areas at once.
Mindfulness & Wellness Coaching Revolutionizes Mental Health Care
Mindfulness and wellness coaching are hot topics these days.
And for good reason!
They’re not meant to replace traditional therapy and care. But they can make those techniques more effective. If you work with a wellness center like Mindful Journey Wellness Center that specializes in mindfulness and wellness coaching, you can learn how to properly care for your mental health every day.
Mindfulness helps by training your brain to live in the moment. Too often, we fall into anxious thoughts about the future or ourselves. Mindfulness practices like meditation help you focus on the here and now.
Studies have shown that mindfulness-based pressure reduction (MBSR) leads to less anxiety, depression, and overall perceived stress. And we’re not talking tiny improvements that you just wouldn’t notice.
Participants in MBR programs reported significant improvements in their day-to-day experiences.
Wellness coaching, on the other hand, offers clients what therapy often doesn’t…
Someone to hold them accountable and help them take action.
There’s a reason why modern medicine encourages working with a trained wellness coach. Studies show that doing so can decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety. Some studies even saw results comparable to psychotherapy delivered by licensed professionals.
Mindfulness and wellness coaching are two tools that go insanely well with traditional treatment methods.
Let’s take a look at a few benefits of integrative treatment.
The Benefits of Integrative Mental Health Treatment
I want to highlight several benefits of integrative treatment. Keep in mind that this list can go on. But these are a few of the big ones.
Integrative treatment…
Addresses Your Whole Self
All too often, traditional therapy focuses solely on a person’s symptoms. Integrative care wants to know why those symptoms are there in the first place.
How is your sleep? Your diet? Your exercise routine? All of these things factor into your mental wellbeing.
By addressing your body as a whole, you can start to see positive changes everywhere.
Produces Long-Lasting Results
Here’s a secret.
You won’t feel better until you change how you live.
Anyone can hop into therapy for a few months and feel better about life. But what happens when you stop going? Without changing your habits and building healthy coping skills, it’s likely the old patterns will return.
Integrative treatments help you build positive, sustainable habits that will serve you for years to come.
Gives You Tools to Care for Yourself
Many mental health patients get stuck in the idea of never feeling good without weekly therapy.
When you start combining therapy with mindfulness and life coaching, you learn to take care of yourself outside of your sessions.
You learn things like:
- How to identify stress triggers before they consume you
- How to use breathing techniques to calm your nervous system
- How to set boundaries so others don’t drain you
- How to build daily routines that promote emotional well-being
You’ll understand how to feel better. Which is vital when you no longer have someone there to guide you.
Fills the Gap Where Care Is Missing
There simply aren’t enough therapists to go around.
Our mental health care system is overwhelmed. That means patients face long wait times and costly co-pays.
Mindfulness practices and wellness coaching can help fill these treatment gaps. They can provide some with the tools they need to manage symptoms that don’t necessarily require traditional care.
Finding the Right Integrative Approach for You
When it comes to finding the right mindfulness and wellness coaching program, not all will be created equal.
There are a few things to look for when searching for a good fit. First, make sure the wellness coaches are certified. Don’t be afraid to ask about their background with mindfulness practices.
Look for centers that offer:
- Individualized treatment
- A balance of one-on-one and group sessions
- Science-backed practices
- Open communication
Skilled integrative wellness professionals shouldn’t bash traditional therapy. Nor should they make wild claims about their methods. You deserve to know what you’re getting into.
The best holistic wellness programs will tailor their services to your individual needs. They won’t force you to do things you’re uncomfortable with.
Wrapping Up
Mental health care is altering for the better.
More people are seeking out holistic options that combine time-tested treatment techniques with mindfulness and wellness coaching. Not only do these practices fill in the gaps of what traditional care lacks, but they build life-long tools that help you manage stress, anxiety, and depression on your own terms.
To recap:
- Integrative wellness treats your body as a whole
- Mindfulness trains your brain to better handle stress
- Wellness coaching teaches you how to take action
- These methods help fill a void that care used to leave behind
If you’ve been unhappy with your mental health care, look into integrative approaches. Research the different mindfulness exercises you can practice daily. Look for a wellness coach near you.
Tools to improve your mental health are everywhere.
You just have to be willing to put in the work.
