Holistic psychotherapy takes into consideration the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual factors that affect a person’s well being. Treating the whole person means getting to the root cause of an issue and not just treating the symptoms. This often results in deeper and longer term healing. 

Using clinical theory, I combine aspects of traditional talk therapy with complementary and alternative interventions such as tarot, expressive arts therapy and energy healing techniques to enhance the therapeutic process. 

Many practices that are considered “complimentary and alternative” today, are actually rooted in ancient wisdom traditions that have been used globally for health and well being for centuries. 

Expressive Arts Therapy

Expressive Arts Therapy combines visual art, drama, dance/movement, creative writing, music and other creative processes for personal growth and healing. The arts provide a way for people to express and process difficult emotions, navigate personal struggles like grief or trauma, build resilience, gain a sense of empowerment and connect with community. Studies show that engaging in the arts and the creative process also reduces symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. In addition to this, the arts can influence the connection between the mind and body, providing physical benefits such as stress reduction, pain management and overall improvement of an individual’s quality of life. One does not need to be “talented” or “good at art” to benefit, expressive arts therapy emphasizes the creative process and not the final product. Read more about expressive arts therapy Here

Tarot

Tarot cards are a deck of cards with evocative, often archetypal or allegorical imagery that represents what many consider to be universal human experiences and stages of life. Originally a card game, today Tarot is most well known and worked with as a divination tool used for predicting, advising and problem solving. I have been working with tarot for three decades and over the years it has served as a tool for divination as well as for creative and personal growth purposes. 

Tarot in psychotherapy can be used as a tool for self reflection and emotional processing. It can also help individuals access unconscious material, gain insight and increase self awareness. In our therapy sessions while we may discuss the traditional meanings of certain cards and explore how or whether they resonate with your current circumstances, tarot will not be used for prediction or “fortunetelling” purposes.

Energy Healing/Vibrational Therapies

Energy healing and vibrational therapies are complementary and alternative medicine practices that focus on restoring balance and facilitating healing by interacting with the body’s subtle energy fields. Proponents believe these therapies address the mind body connection and promote physical, emotional and spiritual well being by addressing symptoms such as stress, anxiety, pain, depression and sleep issues. Energy healing and vibrational therapies include practices such as intuitive/spiritual healing & Reiki, indigenous & folk healing practices that use natural elements such as plants, herbs and crystals to facilitate healing, and energy psychology practices like emotional freedom techniques.

In my psychotherapy practice, complimentary and alternative interventions are integrated within a clinical framework. They are not offered independently or as a separate service. They are modalities included in psychotherapy and counseling to support, compliment or enhance the therapeutic process. If you are looking for divination, spiritual counseling, or a non clinical approach to healing please visit me at Spiritual Arts Therapist