Introduction
Historically, mental health treatment has experienced a radical transformation such that the approaches available nowadays span from holistic to conventional models. Appreciation of the slight differences and intrinsic value of these paradigms is crucial in maintaining the standard of care. This essay is an effort to scrutinize the definitions of conventional and holistic models, concentrating on the specifics of particular therapies in every paradigm. By doing this, we intend to demonstrate the advantages of the integration of two models while optimizing mental health outcomes.
Classic methods are typically grounded on accepted, scientifically proven, evidence-based practices such as counseling and medication therapy. However, holistic models usually provide a comprehensive approach and closely focus on the interrelated components of the person, i.e., mind, body, and spirit. Holistic treatments include mindfulness, acupuncture, and yoga, which treat mental health issues at their source level. The dissection of these different models and approaches enables us to understand their separate roles in mental health care.
The investigation further accounts for synergies from the union of both holistic and orthodox approaches. Having detected the synergistic potential, we will investigate how the merger of these diverse methods can produce holistic treatment plans that will lead to improved mental health outcomes for the population interested in total wellness.
Part 1: Define Models
Treatment models in the mental health industry are mostly from evidence-based practices that are scientifically researched. These strategies cover a range of treatments, where one of the main approaches is psychotherapy, drugs, or a blend of the two. Psychotherapy encompasses many therapeutic approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and talk therapy, all of which are based on psychological theories and empirical research.
Holistic models, however, take a broader view where they see an individual as an integrated entity of mind, body, and spirit. In mental health, according to Kavar, 2012), holistic approaches stress the understanding of the whole of an individual’s life, as mental health is integrated with physical and spiritual domains. Models strive to go beyond presenting symptomatic aspects and focus on the causes of mental health problems.
Holistic treatments include a wide range of alternative therapies that are much more than what conventional medicine can offer. In this regard, mindfulness promotes the development of present-moment awareness and increases the depth of connection with our thoughts and emotions. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese therapy in which very fine needles are inserted into certain body parts to restore energy equilibrium. Further, yoga combines physical asanas, pranayama, and meditation to improve general health.
Holistic models are characterized by attention to proactive and preventative measures aimed at perpetuating harmony within the whole self of an individual. Unlike some traditional treatments that are mainly directed toward symptom control, holistic approaches try to discover and treat the underlying imbalances that lead to mental health problems. Holistic models reveal an interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit, which provides a more holistic approach to mental health treatment, thus promoting not only relief of symptoms but also sustained well-being and personal growth.
Part 2: Holistic Approach
A substantial view of mental health, embodied in methods such as mindfulness meditation, adds an alternative angle that exceeds the classical limits of ordinary treatments. Mindfulness meditation, grounded in ancient contemplative traditions, has become popular in contemporary mental health care due to its whole-body advantages. This strategy focuses on developing self-awareness, stress management, and emotional control, thus providing a more integrative view of mental health.
Mindfulness, in its essence, promotes individuals to live fully in the present, without criticism. Mindfulness creates an intense feeling of our thoughts, emotions, and sensations in our body, thus binding the mind and body together (Ray, 2015). Focused attention on the present frees the person from the tortuous circles of reflection on the past or anxious expectations of the future. In mental health, this feature of mindfulness is especially important since it offers people a key to the labyrinth of their internal conditions.
Several researches highlight the beneficial effects of mindfulness on different mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Studies indicated that frequent mindfulness practice results in diminished symptoms of anxiety and depression through the promotion of changes in neural pathways connected with emotional regulation and self-awareness. Additionally, mindfulness-based interventions have been included in therapeutic methods such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), showing their effectiveness in a clinical context.
Mindfulness as a holistic tool in mental health treatment is considered due to its capacity to treat not only the symptoms but also the causes of discomfort. Through developing a mindful state without judgment of the present moment, people foster resilience and coping strategies that help attain a balanced and focused state of mind. According to Cigolla and Brown, 2011, mindfulness as an approach is consistent with the overall transformation in mental health care towards personalized and integrative methods that consider all interconnected aspects of a person’s well-being.
Part 3: Conventional Approach
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the fundamental practices in the area of traditional evidence-based mental health treatments. This common approach is based on the idea that thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are interrelated, and by identifying and changing maladaptive thoughts, positive changes can be achieved in behavior and emotional well-being.
CBT’s efficacy is not limited to one syndrome since it is a universal and powerful weapon for clinicians. Be it anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder, CBT’s direct and goal-focused approach facilitates individualized interventions. CBT is a collaborative process between therapist and client in which clients gain insight into their cognitive distortions and then identify and challenge negative thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress (Beck, 2005).
One of the important advantages of CBT is that it focuses on coping strategies. Instead of getting to the depths of the psychological problems, CBT gives individuals practical skills to go through daily life functionally. This covers training in problem-solving methods, stress management, and communication skills, allowing people to respond to challenges proactively (Beck, 2020).
In addition, the purpose-driven nature of CBT is perfect for traditional models of therapy. This systematic method gives the therapist and the individual clear and specific measurable goals to monitor the progress. This provides an intervention with a clear model and makes a therapeutic process more effective.
A characteristic of CBT that is one of its most convincing is its ability to produce long-term behavioral changes. The cognitive components of behavior are tackled in CBT, which leads to long-lasting improvements that form the basis for enduring emotional health. Therefore, the evidence that reinforces CBT’s efficiency emphasizes its status as a basic and conventional method in the broad spectrum of mental health treatment.
Part 4: Comprehensive Treatment Approach
Integration of holistic and conventional ways of mental health treatment is a huge leap towards more comprehensive and individualized methods. One such pattern of this synergy is the synergy of mindfulness practice, which is holistic with a conventional, evidence-based approach- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). In the same way, this integrated plan provides a possibility for treating the symptoms and the influencers of such psychological problems.
The focus of mindfulness is on whole principles, directed at developing awareness of the present moment and nonjudgmental acceptance of thoughts and emotions (Baer and Huss, 2008). Mindfulness is introduced as a treatment component that offers patients self-awareness and understanding of their mental health issues. As such, self-awareness is not only the continual self-critic but a potent tool to work with the psychological patterns sustaining distress.
Coupled with another known conventional therapy – the Structured and Goal-oriented (also termed SGT), the combined approach adds a dimension of practicality to the treatment. CBT provides people with specific coping skills and techniques targeted at modifying negative thoughts and behaviors. It also enables people to identify the sources of their problems with the use of mindfulness but also to participate in behavioral interventions targeted at overall wellness (Wenzel, 2017).
The study of the complex treatment approach has sustained positive results. Research shows that combining holistic and conventional therapies results in more improvement in eliminating symptoms and improved overall psychological well-being and long-term health (Fava & Tomba, 2009). Mindfulness and CBT interrelate in a win-win process, which is a combination of reflection and practical ability teaching, useful for people with various mental health disorders.
Conclusion
The holistic and conventional models of mental health treatment are contradictive yet related methodologies. These models need to be learned and integrated so that mental health professionals can offer better and more holistic care. Each person’s experience of mental health is unique, and treatment plans should be designed according to this, promoting a holistic view of mental health that takes into account the interconnectedness of the elements of mind, body, and spirit.
References
Fava, G. A., & Tomba, E. (2009). I increase psychological well‐being and resilience by psychotherapeutic methods. Journal of Personality, 77(6), 1903-1934.
Wenzel, A. (2017). Basic strategies of cognitive behavioral therapy. Psychiatric Clinics, 40(4), 597-609.
Baer, R. A., & Huss, D. B. (2008). Mindfulness-and acceptance-based therapy. Twenty-first-century psychotherapies: Contemporary approaches to theory and practice, 123-166.
Beck, J. S. (2020). Cognitive behavior therapy: Basics and beyond. Guilford Publications.