Integrative Counseling
“Neuroscience research shows that the only way we can change the way we feel is by becoming aware of our inner experience and learning to befriend what is going inside ourselves”. according to the internationally expert on trauma, Bessel A. van der Kolk in The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma.
When you experience anxiety or stress, it affects not just your thoughts but also your physical body and emotional well-being. This connection between mind and body means that addressing only one aspect may not provide complete relief. Integrative Counseling takes a holistic approach, considering the interplay of mental, emotional, and physical symptoms. By engaging various therapeutic techniques tailored to individual needs, Integrative Counseling helps to alleviate the burdens of stress and anxiety. Techniques may include mindfulness practices, cognitive behavioral strategies, and somatic awareness, all aimed at restoring balance and promoting overall wellness. Understanding these connections can foster healing and enable you to regain control over your life.
Maybe you’ve tried counseling in the past, but aren’t really sure how Integrative counseling can help?
Stress and anxiety often manifest not only in our minds but also in our bodies and spirits. At Marin Integrative Therapy, Beth offers a unique integrative counseling approach that recognizes this connection. This holistic method delves into the interplay between feelings, thoughts, behaviors, and the body's meridian system, biofield, and chakras.
Research indicates that our experiences, emotions, and thoughts can be stored within our bodies, even at the genetic level. By addressing these interconnected layers, integrative counseling provides a comprehensive framework for healing. It empowers individuals to explore how past traumas and current stressors affect their entire being.
Through this mind-body-spirit approach, clients can release trapped emotions, restore balance, and cultivate healthier coping mechanisms. The goal is to foster a profound sense of well-being that extends beyond alleviating symptoms of stress and anxiety. With Beth’s guidance, clients embark on a journey towards deeper self-awareness and holistic healing, leading to lasting transformation and improved mental health.
Stress and anxiety often affect us on every level, not just mental. Integrative counseling, offered exclusively by Beth, is a mind-body-spirit counseling approach where we explore and address the relationship and interaction between feelings, thoughts, behaviors, and the body’s meridian system, biofiield & chakras, including consciousness principles. It’s truly a holistic counseling treatment to help heal stress, anxiety, and trauma.
The integration of mind and body in therapy acknowledges the profound impact that our past experiences, emotions, and thoughts have on our overall well-being. When we engage in an integrative counseling approach, we are not merely addressing the symptoms of stress, anxiety, or depression, but rather the underlying factors that contribute to these feelings. By recognizing that our bodies hold onto these emotional burdens, we can work toward healing in a holistic manner.
This approach encourages individuals to explore their feelings, thoughts, and physical sensations, creating a space for awareness and understanding. As we delve into our personal narratives, we can uncover patterns that may have been buried, allowing for a more profound reconciliation with ourselves. Such self-exploration fosters enhanced self-awareness, which is crucial for personal growth.
The goal is not only to alleviate discomfort but to cultivate a deeper connection to one’s inner self. As individuals engage in this process, they often find that they are better equipped to navigate life's challenges, leading to a more fulfilling and meaningful existence. Through integrative counseling, we can unlock the potential for healing that lies within, encouraging a harmonious relationship between mind, body, and spirit.
During our time together using Integrative counseling, we’ll delve into cognitive-behavioral patterns and skills while also incorporating holistic energy healing principles. This integrative approach empowers you to actively engage outside of our sessions, allowing you to extend the work we do together into your daily life. You will discover and master energy healing techniques that you can easily carry with you, enabling you to foster your own well-being wherever you go. Through this process, you will gain valuable tools for personal growth and self-care, enhancing your overall mental health and resilience.
“We have learned that trauma is not just an event that took place sometime in the past; it is also the imprint left by that experience on mind, brain, and body. This imprint has ongoing consequences for how the human organism manages to survive in the present. Trauma results in a fundamental reorganization of the way mind and brain manage perceptions. It changes not only how we think and what we think about, but also our very capacity to think.”
What can Integrative counseling include?
Integrative counseling offers a variety of approaches to enhance your therapeutic experience and promote holistic well-being. One effective method involves monitoring dietary habits that might influence your emotional state through a Food-Mood Diary. This tool allows us to assess patterns together in sessions and provides valuable insights to share with your physician or nutritionist.
Additionally, incorporating body movements and simple Yoga postures can be beneficial in releasing stress, tension, and unresolved trauma, helping to establish a deeper mind-body connection. These practices can be seamlessly integrated into our counseling sessions.
Mindfulness and meditation techniques also play a crucial role. We can practice these together during our sessions, and you can incorporate them into your daily routine at home for sustained benefits.
For those who find comfort in spirituality, we can explore approaches such as prayer, connecting with a higher power, or faith-based principles. It's important to remember that each individual's journey is unique. Some clients may choose to embrace a combination of these elements in their sessions, while others may prefer to focus on just a few. My goal is to ensure that our therapeutic work aligns with what resonates best for you.
How can Integrative counseling help with anxiety & depression?
Let me give you an example of treating an anxiety attack with a holistic technique:
Grounding & centering yourself in the present moment.
When we're experiencing anxiety, our thoughts can create a whirlwind, leading us to try to rationalize or distract ourselves. This instinct to think our way out often backfires, causing us to become more entangled in our worries. Essentially, we’re addressing fear with more fear, leading to a vicious cycle that can be difficult to break.
Grounding and centering ourselves is a technique that anchors us in the present moment. The present moment exists as it is, separate from our thoughts and worries. Even in times of high stress or anxiety, we have the capacity to breathe and recognize that, most of the time, we are not in immediate danger. If there is a real threat, it is important to respond appropriately.
To find grounding and centering quickly, follow these steps:
Gently shift your awareness to your feet.
Notice the sensation of your feet connecting with the floor.
Acknowledge the space around you.
Feel your body as the center of that space.
By bringing your focus to your physical presence and the environment, you create a stable foundation from which to better manage your thoughts and feelings.
Focus on the support of the ground underneath you. Shift your awareness down to your feet, and feel the solid surface that supports you. Allow yourself to become fully present in this moment, feeling the texture, temperature, and stability of the ground beneath you. Notice how this simple act of grounding can shift your mental state, anchoring you in the present.
As you continue this practice, observe any changes in your body or mind. Do you feel a sense of calm washing over you? Is there a lightness in your chest or a release of tension in your shoulders? Acknowledge any subtle shifts, no matter how small they may seem.
This technique exemplifies how integrative therapeutic approaches can enhance traditional anxiety treatment. By grounding yourself, you create a bridge between your physical body and mental awareness, fostering a sense of safety and connection. These practices can be valuable tools in your therapeutic journey, promoting mindfulness and emotional regulation.
Take your time to explore this technique. Return to it whenever you need a moment of respite or clarity in your day-to-day life.
Is Integrative counseling expensive?
Integrative counseling is an investment that significantly enhances your well-being and future quality of life. By engaging in this form of counseling, you can cultivate a sense of comfort, productivity, and ease, all of which arise from having effective tools at your disposal. Reflect on the considerable amount of time and energy you dedicate to managing life's challenges and seeking emotional relief. Now, envision a life where you possess the knowledge and skills to nourish and support your emotional and mental health.
Beth, an experienced therapist, is in-network with Aetna and Horizon BCBS, providing accessible options for therapy. However, the majority of her clients take advantage of their out-of-network benefits, allowing for reimbursement directly from their insurance. This flexibility ensures that you can focus on your healing journey without undue financial stress.
Integrative counseling is meticulously structured to equip you with the essential tools needed to improve your mental health and overall quality of life. Taking this step towards self-investment can lead to transformative outcomes, enabling you to better manage stress, anxiety, depression, and other challenges.
Can’t I just learn this integrative counseling stuff online or through YouTube?
Yes, there’s a lot of information out there. You can read articles and watch videos, but how much of that is centered around you as an individual? No two people are alike, so no single answer is right for everyone. The abundance of information can be overwhelming as you try to sift through it, determine what resonates with you, and apply it effectively.
Beth has received extensive training and certifications in counseling, energy and spiritual healing, and holistic therapy techniques. This deep-dive approach ensures that the strategies she provides are tailored to your unique needs. She has the expertise to help you integrate these practices into your life quickly and effectively.
Integrative counseling is offered by Beth exclusively.
Counseling sessions at Marin Integrative Therapy are designed to be flexible and tailored to your unique needs. In our sessions, you may find ourselves primarily engaged in conversation, exploring your thoughts and feelings, while at other times, we might focus on different therapeutic work, including techniques, exercises, or mindful practices. Often, we blend these approaches seamlessly within a single session, ensuring that you receive the support that aligns with your current situation.
Our collaborative process is focused on creating a personalized treatment plan that suits your individual needs. We work together to develop a strategy that addresses your specific goals and challenges, empowering you to make meaningful progress. We are here to provide the assistance you need.
Take the first step towards enhancing your mental well-being. Contact us today to learn more about how our integrative approach can work for you.