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About Holistic Therapy
Holistic Therapy and Counseling at Alternative Therapy STL is an innovative, whole-person approach that takes your mind, body, spirit, emotions, relationships, and lifestyle into account to help you achieve and maintain optimal wellness.
What is Holistic Therapy?
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “holistic” refers to something that is “characterized by the belief that the parts of something are interconnected and can be explained only by reference to the whole.” Holistic medicine is further “characterized by the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of an illness.”
Therefore, holistic therapy and counseling is a method of helping people grow emotionally, mentally, and relationally through an expansive, whole-person lens. Rather than focusing exclusively on the mind, emotions, and relationships as is typically done in most forms of psychotherapy, holistic therapists may include other factors that are inextricably connected to mental wellness, including physical, mental, spiritual, existential, habitual, and environmental wellness.
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Benefits of Holistic Therapy & Counseling
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Address root causes of your issues
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Grow spiritually as you heal mentally and emotionally
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Cultivate healthy habits that will optimize and maintain wellness
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Grow in all areas of your life - not just mentally
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Address any underlying trauma
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Live a more fulfilling life
What Holistic Counseling is Like at Alternative Therapy STL
Alternative Therapy STL is a forerunner in holistic therapy in Saint Louis, MO and beyond. In fact, many therapists and professionals seek out Alternative Therapy STL for their own holistic care or for professional development.
This is because Emma Donovan, the founder of Alternative Therapy STL, has taken it upon herself to study widely, across multiple disciplines, modalities, and countries to gain a big-picture view of what makes, and keeps, people well.
Holistic Therapy and Counseling will be as unique as you are. We will work together to identify the areas that most need support and work directly on them to help you grow and change. The goal is not just to help you merely survive or cope, but rather to help youlive an optimal and fulfilling life.
Holistic Therapy is a philosophy that underpins all of the services at Alternative Therapy STL. We may use a variety of modalities to help you, including Depth Hypnosis, Spiritual Counseling, Psychedelic Integration, Functional Nutrition, Internal Family Systems, and Ketamine Assisted Therapy, as well as specific mindfulness, somatic, and behavioral techniques. We will come up with a customized plan together that serves your needs.
Components of Holistic Therapy
The mind and emotions are not separate from the rest of the self. Healing can only be complete when it’s integrated into your life as a whole. Therefore, Holistic Therapy takes the following (and more!) into account:
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The Physical Body: The body and mind are not separate. We will work together to take care of your physical body through healthy habits, nutrition, and movement.
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The Spirit: The spirit is an integral part of total-person health. Addressing the spirit includes the person’s personal relationship with a higher power, the universe, energy, values, and/or a greater purpose, whatever that means for them
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The Mind and Emotions: Classically the cornerstone of psychotherapy, the mind and emotions play an important part in holistic therapy but are not the sole focus
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Sleep Optimization: Learn healthy sleep habits that will help you restore and relax, boosting immunity, recovery, and mental wellbeing
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Trauma Resolution: If you have any trauma, holistic counseling can help you resolve it
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Meaning, Purpose, and Personal Fulfillment: Find answers to your most pressing existential questions to live a life infused with meaning, whatever that means for you
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Stress Management: Learn holistic coping strategies to help you handle life’s curveballs with grace and resilience
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Lifestyle Strategies: Cultivate balanced habits that take care of your body, mind, and spirit
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Relationship with Nature: Deepen your connection with the natural world to boost mental and emotional wellbeing
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Environmental Wellness: Learn how to cultivate a healthy environment conducive to health and wellness, including your air, water, food, and personal care routine
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Relationships: Learn strategies for interpersonal effectiveness, including mindfulness, presence, perspective, self-acceptance, and authenticity
Qualifications
Emma Donovan holds a MA in Professional Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois. She is enrolled in a Master of Science program in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine at the University of Western States. Emma holds advanced certificates in yoga, Nutritional Therapy, Depth Hypnosis, Spiritual Direction, Shamanic Counseling, Trauma/Tension Releasing Exercises, Internal Family Systems, and Psychedelic Assisted Therapy. She is also a Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional.
Emma is often sought out precisely for her innovative, holistic viewpoint. Many other therapists seek her help for their own care and advice for their professional development. You will be in caring, holistic hands if you choose to work with Emma. If you’re interested in a consultation, you can request one at the button below.