Parents who are looking for effective treatment for their teenagers may wonder about the purpose of holistic therapy for teens. Mental health treatment services that include holistic therapies are actually offering more than most traditional programs, not less.
A holistic therapy program takes the needs of the whole person into account, not just their addiction or mental health concerns. Call Kiwi Recovery at 617.751.6610 for more information about young adult holistic therapy.
Understanding Holistic Therapy for Teens
Holistic therapies are a valuable part of a comprehensive treatment plan addressing addiction and other mental health disorders. Whole-person treatments are not substituted for traditional evidence-based therapies. They are a complement to traditional approaches, and in many cases, holistic therapies are evidence-based.
For example, studies have shown that yoga helps reduce the psychological impact of stress and eases symptoms of anxiety and depression. Holistic therapy focuses on your child’s overall well-being, not just the symptoms they are experiencing or the behaviors they are exhibiting.
The goals of holistic treatments are to improve a client’s life in five categories:
- Emotional – iImproving emotional balance and teaching healthy coping mechanisms
- Physical – Improving fitness, sleep habits, nutrition, and other healthy behaviors
- Spiritual – A non-religious approach to finding meaning and purpose in life
- Social – Building healthy relationships and reducing unhealthy isolating behaviors
- Intellectual – Skill building, planning, and establishing boundaries
Each holistic method included in a treatment plan is selected to help in a specific area where clients need help. Teens who are struggling with addiction issues and other mental health problems frequently also experience emotional disturbances and physical deficiencies related to their disorder.
Holistic therapy for teens provides extra layers of support to address all of a young person’s needs. Nutritional therapies and skill-building exercises that help a teen cope better with stress are two examples.
Examples of Treatments Used in Holistic Therapy for Teens
Programs that feature holistic therapy for teens offer personalized, non-medical methods that have been shown effective in treating addiction and mental health disorders. You can view holistic treatment as self-care; they are techniques teens can use to maintain emotional balance long after their official treatment program has ended.
Some of the holistic therapies that might be included in a treatment plan include:
- Yoga
- Nutritional therapy
- Acupuncture
- Art therapy
- Mindfulness practices, such as meditation
- Animal-assisted therapy
- Life skills development
Holistic therapies are gentle and simple. They often provide a welcome break from more intensive therapies. Clients typically look forward to participating in a holistic therapy program because they are enjoyable and relaxing. They help clients maintain balanced emotions in times of stress.
Is Young Adult Holistic Therapy Effective?
Many holistic therapies have been studied and found effective for helping clients cope with stress and regulate their emotions. All types of therapies are more effective when clients look forward to participating in them.
Young people are especially open to holistic methods. They have not yet formed strong opinions about what is “effective” and what is not. Their minds are more open to new ways of thinking and doing things.
Another reason holistic therapy for teens is successful is that many of the treatments relate to activities teens already enjoy. Making art, listening to music, and caring for animals doesn’t feel like therapy. It feels more like a “normal” life.
Kiwi Recovery Offers Holistic Therapy for Teens
Holistic therapeutic techniques play an important role in our clients’ comprehensive treatment plans. If your teen or adolescent is struggling with a mental health disorder like depression, anxiety, or addiction, including holistic therapies in their treatment may be effective.
Call Kiwi Recovery today at 617.751.6610 or reach out online to learn more about our young adult holistic therapy options.
