Many couples who experience a bump in the road in their relationship turn to counseling for help. Some people do not realize the differences between holistic counseling and traditional counseling when they are trying to work out relationship issues.

Traditional counseling usually focuses largely on the issues the couple brings to the session to discuss, whether they are subjects of frequent arguments, one partner’s hurt feelings, or intimacy issues. Addressing these surface issues is sometimes helpful, but this approach acts more as a band-aid to cover only visible wounds while ignoring the imbalance between the partners that could be inflicting the wounds in the first place.

A couple’s individual disagreements and communication issues are often symptoms of a much greater problem – one that all too often goes unaddressed by traditional counseling. In many cases, when two people are in need of counseling, both the individuals and the couple as a unit are out of balance with themselves and one another. A more holistic approach will assist them in healing individually and together.

Entirely focused on helping partners reclaim balance and wellness for themselves and for their lives together, Holistic Counseling aims for re-creating a balanced partnership – one founded upon feelings of love, trust, intimacy, and joy. All holistic approaches to therapy will focus on enhancing these aspects of the bond.

People who feel like their relationship is out of balance, particularly if they believe that their disagreements are a symptom of a larger issue, are prime candidates for an holistic approach. Relationships lacking in joy, intimacy, or positive communication can benefit greatly from this method. Through holistic therapy, partners can explore these issues and learn new ways of considering their bond with one another.

Holistic therapy may particularly appeal to people who find a traditional therapist’s approach off-putting. Some participants in typical therapy sessions feel like they are being involved in a moderated debate; others even think their partner and the therapist are ganging up on them.

Another benefit of holistic counseling is that it is far less likely than traditional counseling to result in psychiatric medication being prescribed for one or both parties. Antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and sleeping pills are often recommended for one or both people by traditional counselors. Sometimes, these drugs serve only to increase problems between two people. They can cause sexual issues or even change an individual’s personality to some degree, creating another rift. That is not to say that drugs are inappropriate for every case, of course. Unfortunately, many modern practitioners use medication as a first line of defense rather than a last ditch resort. Swallowing a pill is easier than changing a couple’s worldview or the way that they work with one another.

Holistic therapy should not be viewed as a quick fix to relationship problems. However, it will reach down to the roots of the bond to improve the couple as a whole as well as both individuals. It is an approach designed for partners who desire true balance in their lives, both together and separately.

Hoagland Therapy takes an holistic approach to therapy. We look at how mind and body influence each other in issues affecting overall health and well-being. This article powered by SEO 2.0 Optimization Services