What Is Holistic Counseling?

Written By Kate Hall-Shepard

Maybe you read my home page that stated I offered “compassionate and holistic therapy for those with chronic illness, anxiety, and disordered eating” and thought - cool, but what is holistic counseling, exactly?

two chairs at a holistic counseling office

It’s not necessarily anything fancy. Put simply, holistic counseling is an approach to therapy that considers the whole person - mind, body, and spirit - when providing support. So maybe not fancy, but important, none the less. And it might include modalities and techniques one would not find in a more traditional mental health setting - like community mental health, for example. (Although, I’m happy to report I see that gradually changing!)

How do therapists do this?

Holistic therapists/counselors set the intention to take into consideration everything their client’s bring to session - internal thoughts processes and experiences, and external influences - like diet and lifestyle factors.

Here’s an example that can demonstrate these concepts further. Let’s say 47 year old Jess begins therapy for anxiety and numerous failed relationships.

man in a counseling office with hand to head

A counselor that does not take a holistic approach.

A therapist that does not specifically and intentionally take a holistic approach may focus on helping Jess with the following:

  • identifying negative beliefs that might be driving his anxiety.

  • exploring his relationships with parental and authority figures.

  • modeling for him ways to increase his communication skills and empathy.

And these are great!

On the flip side…

A counselor that does take a holistic approach.

If Jess were to meet with a therapist that provided holistic counseling, he might encounter all of the above plus:

  • inquiring about specific lifestyle factors like Jess’s diet, physical activities, faith practices, and others.

  • teaching him specific breath techniques to help him find calmness when activated by anxiety; even helping him discover what anxiety itself might be telling him.

  • recommending yoga or meditation, and specific somatic practices to help him understand his body’s signals & build safety within any relationship.

  • even using functional lab testing to see if he has any hidden drivers to his anxiety on a biological level.

Here are some questions I ask clients as a holistic counselor:

One question I always want to ask is, “Do you eat breakfast and what does your breakfast consist of?” (I will share soon in another blog how nutrition can support or stress one’s mental health.) Sorry you all, but breakfast really IS the most important meal of the day - in my humble opinion…

Other common questions might be, “When do you usually go to bed?” “What do for fun?” and “Does a faith or religion support your mental health?”

At Living Well Holistic Counseling, I offer my clients a chance to work with someone who won’t forget to address their WHOLE being, with many of the same examples shared here.

sunset over a lake with a bird in flight

Another way to describe it.

Lastly, how else you can describe holistic counseling is therapy that takes an integrative approach. Integrating both traditional methods such as talk therapy and unconditional positive regard with alternative approaches such as nutrition and somatic work to effect lasting change.

Holistic counseling is the way of the future for those who truly want the best shot at improving their mental health…if ya ask me!

Interested in working together? I offer therapy in South Carolina; and health coaching anywhere.

Kate Hall-Shepard