Integrative mental health care takes the whole person into consideration. Instead of looking at the various aspects of health – physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, etc. – separately, integrative mental health care looks at all of them together. 

This also consists of looking not just at symptoms but also at the root cause behind the symptoms. An integrative approach allows for a more well-rounded, holistic and individualized treatment plan. 

When it comes to mental health, sometimes what we need is an unbiased ear to listen to us and offer helpful questions and insight. But sometimes we need a different approach.

At Graceful Balance Wellness, we offer talk therapy. We also offer forms of therapy that connect movement to the way you process your thoughts and feelings, including:

• Eye Movement and Desensitization (EMDR) therapy: Trauma can become “stuck” in our brains and bodies, causing us to re-experience the event or be easily triggered by related stimuli. EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation to connect the right and left hemispheres of the brain. This is typically achieved through tapping on the body or using specific eye movements while discussing and processing past traumas. This method helps unlock the “stuck” information, enabling the brain to reprocess the experience in a healthy way. (You can read more about EMDR here!)
• Nature therapy: Nature therapy, also known as Ecotherapy, is a therapeutic approach that encourages healing through interaction with the natural environment. Research has shown that time spent in nature can lower stress levels, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and increase feelings of peace and connectedness. By stepping outside the traditional therapy room, Nature Therapy helps clients gain new perspectives, reconnect with their inner selves, and find balance in life.
• Movement: Research shows that movement is beneficial for reducing stress and anxiety in the body, reducing pain, and improving sleep and overall well being. At GB, our Christ-centered movement and meditation classes are centered around scripture and focusing our minds and bodies on the Lord. Our founder, Brittany, is also a trauma-informed and certified yoga instructor, and leads classes and workshops through our sister company, Graceful Balance Collective. 

Integrative health looks at more than our mental well being because we know that all parts of health are interconnected – and that includes our physical health:

• Functional wellness: While we do believe and use modern medicine, sometimes we need a different approach – one that looks past our symptoms and to what’s really behind our ailments and illnesses. 

At GBW, functional wellness looks like our practitioner, Tracy – a board-certified registered nurse and functional medicine nurse specialist – taking comprehensive health histories, reviewing laboratory results, creating personalized wellness plans, and offering further resources and education. This approach to wellness can help you experience improved mental health, increased energy levels, better digestive health and more.

• Nutrition counseling: In order to build and support a healthy body and mind, we need to fuel it accordingly. Nutrition and the food we eat impacts so much of our well being and our lives. 

At GBW, nutrition counseling consists of working with our registered dietitian, Michelle, to conduct nutritional assessments, create personalized meal plans, offer support for medical conditions and weight management, and educate on best nutritional practices and how to develop a healthy relationship with food.  

The stomach is often referred to as the body’s “second brain.” Your stomach communicates with your brain about what you’re eating, what you’re digesting, and possibly even about what you’re feeling. (Learn more about the brain-gut connection here!)

So it makes sense that all the parts of your body and health are connected and impact one another. Nothing in the body happens in isolation, and taking a holistic, full-body approach is essential to healing.