What is Integrative Psychiatry?
Integrative psychiatry was founded on several principles. The basic principle is that we acknowledge the whole person, and find meaningful resolutions with lasting change and growth.
Holistic Wellness
Integrative psychiatry looks at the whole person. The body, mind, spirit and environment are all considered as important parts of being human. A holistic approach incorporates exploring how your sleep, nutrition, exercise, relationships, work, substance use, and environment may be affecting you. Physical and mental health symptoms are explored comprehensively, and lifestyle measures are an important aspect of holistic wellness.
Integration of Alternative and Conventional Treatments
Conventional psychiatry tends to focus on specific symptoms or diagnoses per the DSM-5, which can be helpful tool for many people. Conventional psychiatry can be combined with other forms of treatment, such as mindfulness, yoga, bodywork, art therapy, nature therapy, nutrition psychiatry, supplementation, and other alternative modalities.
Health and Wellbeing
A health-forward approach does not focus on treating only one's mental illness, but on promoting mental health. An integrative approach to mental health generally incorporates various modalities to encourage meaningful, lasting change and growth.
Healthy Relationships
There is great healing power in healthy relationships, including a safe and supportive relationship with your mental health provider. An integrative mental health provider may also help you to cultivate skills and behaviors which assist you in forming healthy relationships.
Prevention
Prevention of mental health challenges is often possible. Instead of waiting for a condition to arise, treating symptoms before they progress is a healthy approach. Integrative providers will help you on your path to living a healthy, balanced lifestyle, which may prevent future mental health symptoms.
Encouraging Self-Reliance
Healing starts with recognizing that our own inner healer usually knows the answer, we often just need guidance with how to listen to our body’s intuition. I would encourage you to carefully consider any practitioner who tells you that they can cure/fix/heal you. Skilled integrative mental health practitioners recognize that their energy is best spent on teaching you skills to promote your own inner healing, with their support, skills and assistance.
Honoring Individuality
Each of us is a unique individual, and a skilled integrative mental health provider will meet you where you’re at. Some people may respond well to medication, and some may respond to a natural approach, and many people will do best with a combination. Discussing your preferences, beliefs and concerns helps to determine the treatment plan.
Leading by Example
A skilled integrative mental health provider will be practicing in their own life what they recommend to others, and is likely to be focused on good sleep, healthful nutrition, and healthy interpersonal dynamics in their own life.
Lena Rain Russell, PMHNP-BC, APRN, PATP, RYT