Written by:

Nicki Hari

Last Updated:

September 23rd, 2024

Holistic Therapy

Yoga, meditation, music and art are all examples of holistic therapy, meaning they treat the mind, body and spirit simultaneously – the word ‘holistic’ means ‘whole’. Many holistic therapies draw on ancient practices and are often rooted in spirituality – but you do not have to subscribe to a particular religious practice to benefit from them.

Oasis Bradford offers a range of holistic therapies as part of our comprehensive inpatient rehab programme.

What is Holistic Therapy?

Any type of therapy which attempts to treat the body and mind as a whole is holistic, and as a result, this term covers a broad range of therapeutic practices and interventions. Some are quite physical, such as yoga, while others, like gong therapy, only require you to lie down and relax.

The following examples of holistic therapy are all available at Oasis Bradford.

Art therapy

Art therapy’s benefits come from its ability to tap into states of creativity and flow, which many people experience as healing.

Art therapy can be a fantastic way of navigating feelings of inferiority, by being given the space to create something with no pressure or expectations. Feelings of pride or mastery gained from working on art are a great way to boost self-esteem.

Art therapists are legally required to complete a master’s level training course and register as qualified art therapists. This means art therapy is a form of ‘real’ therapy – the therapist is there to help you access and navigate your difficulties and emotions via artistic expression.

Auricular acupuncture

This is a form of acupuncture that focuses on the ear specifically. Most people haven’t heard of it – but it’s increasingly used in addiction treatment due to some encouraging research.

A recent review of available studies on auricular acupuncture in the Journal of Addictive Diseases found that of the 36 studies they looked at, 64% of them reported it was effective in treating a range of addictions.

Mindfulness and meditation

Mindfulness is the mental state that meditation aims to draw the mind into – a calm, watchful presence.

This practice of existing in the present and not ruminating on the past or worrying about the future, is helpful during recovery. Often, substances are used to block out painful memories or worries, and by cultivating the ability to detach from these worries calmly, you can build a powerful coping mechanism.

Mindfulness helps you to deal with strong emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them. This is cultivated through practice and can then be carried over into everyday life.

Gong therapy

Gong therapy offers a simpler way to enter a meditative state for people who struggle to switch their minds off. Gongs are large, round metal discs which are struck by a mallet with a soft head. This makes a long, reverberating sound that eases you into a meditative state. It aims to promote relaxation and emotional relief, and studies on gong therapy have reported that participants find it relaxing and healing.

Gong therapy can stimulate alpha-dominant or theta-dominant brainwave states, which are the states your brain is in when you’re in states of wakeful rest or drifting off to sleep. By remaining in these brainwave states for extended periods, you can access states of increased creativity, stress reduction and emotional release and experience reduced tension, fatigue and anger.

Music therapy

Music therapy can involve music discussion, learning an instrument and playing music together as a group. Like art therapists, music therapists are qualified therapists. Music therapy aims to improve self-esteem and presence and help to access difficult emotions through creative expression.

Yoga

Yoga is an ancient Sanskrit word that means ‘unite’ or ‘join’ – the joining together of the body, mind, and spirit. Yoga covers multiple practices that train the body, mind, and breath, but in the West, we associate it with Asana, which is the pose of the limbs.

Yoga is beneficial for reducing negative emotional states and cravings. It’s also one of the ways you can access a state of mindfulness. Yoga is also a holistic practice that helps you take care of your body in a gentle way through stretching and holding your body in certain positions. It can be as easy or as challenging as you want it to be. Yoga can be used to train strength and flexibility and to get used to inhabiting your body.

Holistic Therapy For Addiction

Holistic therapies are always offered in addition to conventional therapies during addiction recovery – they are not intended to replace them. They are beneficial for accessing parts of you that conventional therapies aren’t designed to treat and for helping you to access calmer, more mindful states.

Integrating holistic therapies into individual treatment plans is a way of addressing the complexity of addiction and how it affects more than just the mind. Holistic therapy has a lot of things to offer that are especially relevant for people going through addiction recovery. These include:

• Encouraging growth through self-exploration and expression
• Facilitating the development of self-identity, self-esteem and self-confidence
• Giving people the opportunity to explore the spiritual aspects of their recovery
• Providing an outlet for creativity and self-expression
• The development of new coping skills and stress management techniques.

Holistic Therapy Benefits

While you do the hard and sometimes painful work of recovery, it’s important to practice self-care and not neglect yourself as a whole. Holistic therapy helps you take time for yourself, giving you space to engage with things you may not otherwise or permission to completely relax into the present, if only for a short while.

Holistic therapies can be an indirect way for people who have difficulty accessing or expressing their emotions to tap into them. Conventional therapies can be intense, and holistic therapies can offer a gentler way to explore difficult emotions.

Reach out for support today

Our range of holistic therapies are just some of the many treatments we offer as part of our inpatient rehab treatment program. We can work with you to put together a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Get in touch to start your recovery journey.

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