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What is Integrative Psychiatry?

Integrative psychiatry is a holistic treatment discipline in which clients are viewed as whole people, instead of parts. Integrative psychiatry combines the best parts of conventional psychiatric treatment with personalized complementary medicine. I founded my practice on the following principles:

• Mental health is not only a focus on treating mental illness. Mental health means improving quality of life, reducing suffering, and helping people achieve peace.
• Healthy relationships are a key to a healthy life.
• The mind and body cannot be disconnected. The mind, body, and environment must all be treated collectively to achieve wellness.
• People want to be heard and believed.
• All clients deserve a provider who will actively listen to understand.

Myths About Integrative Psychiatry

Myth: It is just Western medicine with some herbs thrown in.

Fact: Integrative psychiatry uses both Western and complementary treatments. Sometimes medications are needed, but they are best taken in combination with bodywork, lifestyle modifications, supplements, and therapy.

Myth: Integrative psychiatry discourages the use of medication.

Fact: Medicine is a valuable tool, but it is not the only form of treatment available to you.

Myth: Integrative practitioners only look at lifestyle and family history.

Fact: Integrative practitioners consider the mind, spirit, body, and personal life.

Myth: Clients only receive natural remedies.

Fact: Integrative practitioners assess each person as an individual. Some people benefit from natural remedies and some benefit more from Western medicine. Most people benefit from a combination.

Myth: It is not evidence based.

Fact: Integrative psychiatry is evidence informed. As research continues to provide us more insight into health and wellbeing, practice is updated to incorporate new findings and deeper understanding of how people function.

How do I know integrative psychiatry is right for me?

Everyone wants to be heard. During my own healing journey, I met medical providers who were quick to interrupt, talk over me, or convince me that my lived experience was somehow wrong. I was also blessed to meet providers who listen with an open mind and heart and helped me find solutions. Traditional medicine lends itself to pre-conceived solutions and medications based on a diagnosis. Integrative practice is about creating tailor made solutions and treatments for individual people, not for their diagnoses. If you have tried traditional practitioners and felt unheard or boxed into a medication only solution, integrative psychiatry may be a great option for you. If you haven’t sought mental health support because you don’t want to be pigeonholed into a specific treatment method, integrative psychiatry may be a great option for you. At its core, integrative psychiatry is a shift from symptom management to whole-person healing.

If you are interested in working with a provider who actively listens to you and incorporates therapy, medicine, nutrition, lifestyle, and supplements, make an appointment with me. I’m honored to be part of your healing journey!

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