Holistic therapy is a branch of complimentary medicine also known as alternative medicine or holistic medicine. Holistic therapy looks at the individual as a whole and focuses on enhancing the health of one’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing to achieve optimal wellness. This body, mind, spirit connection has been considered integral to good health for thousands of years and for good reason. One’s physical body cannot sustain good health if other areas are deteriorating. The holistic approach goes far beyond looking at the physical symptoms one is experiencing, but digs deeper into finding out why these symptoms are present in order to bring balance and harmony to all areas. Holistic therapy also emphasizes prevention in addition to treatment, in order to maintain and achieve continuous good health. For these reasons, holistic therapy is a fully integrated system of healing.

Our inner being is reflected in our outer being through the physical manifestation of our emotional, mental, and spiritual state. Our daily thoughts and feelings have a huge impact on the way we feel physically.  If one is nervous, anxious or depressed, he/she will initially begin to feel tired, run down, and depleted, which may in turn result in getting a cold, feeling body aches and pains, headaches, or general malaise. If the underlying causes are not addressed and are prolonged, serious physical complications can begin to manifest, leading to severe pain, immune dysfunctions, heart conditions, cancer, and other critical illnesses.  The world is also finally waking up to understanding the serious adverse effects stress has on the individual and many health professionals now consider stress one of the leading causes of death.

Holistic therapy, therefore, should really be considered a lifestyle approach. True healing should not merely be reduced to a quick and easy answer of “take this pill”, but rather a process and journey to healing that incorporates personal responsibility with help and support from a qualified holistic therapist.

The Role of a Holistic Therapist
The role of a holistic therapist is to discover and understand the underlying causes of dis-ease to help an individual return to a state of balance, harmony, and wellness. A holistic therapist not only considers your medical history and present physical state, but also looks at what is going in your life mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

The relationship a holistic therapist has with a client is a symbiotic one. A comfortable, open, and secure space based on mutual trust and support must be established for true healing to begin.  Creating a safe and welcoming physical and energetic space for both the healer and client is of the utmost importance. When an individual is relaxed and at peace, healing work becomes more powerful, so creating a space of calm and tranquillity is an important factor in holistic therapy.

A holistic therapist also seeks to not only treat and heal an individual, but to educate so that one can actively participate in his/her journey towards healing and good health. Sharing wisdom, guidance, and encouragement so that one can better understand how and why they are feeling any dis-ease is as important to healing as the holistic therapy or therapies being utilized.

Holistic Therapies
There are many forms of holistic therapies and complimentary therapies ranging from bodywork to energy healing, along with fitness and nutrition.  Some of the most common and popular forms of holistic therapy include:

• Acupuncture
• Aromatherapy
• Art Therapy
• Ayurvedic Medicine
• Breathwork
• Chakra Balancing
• Colour Therapy
• Craniosacral Therapy
• Crystal Therapy
• Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
• Guided Imagery
• Herbal Therapy

• Homeopathy
• Hydrotherapy
• Hypnotherapy
• Iridology
• Massage Therapy
• Meditation
• Neuro-Linguistig Programming (NLP)
• Nutrition
• Pranic Healing
• Reflexology
• Reiki
• Visualization
• Yoga