You are uniquely you...
…so moving forward will be too!
The beauty of each of us is that we are made up of very many parts - the complexity of our thoughts, feelings, behaviours, body sensations, spiritual beliefs and relationships is what makes us so unique and so precious (and yes, YOU are very unique and very precious too!). But the best thing is that these parts are always changing - so we are never ‘done’ but are always in the process of ‘becoming’. So, while we may be experiencing anxiety, depression, alcohol dependency or anorexia today for example, it is not ‘who we are’ - and there is hope for things to be different.
However, the route to change is different for each one of us and, from the description above, you can see that the term ‘mental health’ is just not big enough to describe what’s involved. In fact, research has shown that meaningful change can only come about when all parts of us are brought into the process. It is not surprising, therefore, that for therapy to be effective it needs to be as flexible as we are complex and match our individual needs with the various therapeutic tools available.
Integrative Psychotherapy
Fortunately, this is the essence of integrative psychotherapy, which brings together the more traditional, singular forms of cognitive behavioural, humanistic, psychodynamic, or systemic therapies and their offshoots as needed. In this way, integrative therapy seeks to align your thinking, behaviour, bodily sensations, spirituality, and social relationships in a unified ‘way of being’ that is more truthful for you. This approach can be used to treat any number of psychological issues including depression, anxiety, dependency on drugs and alcohol, and eating disorders (for more, see this post).
Spirituality in Therapy
The spiritual element of getting better has been noted in research. It suggests that as you experience yourself differently, feelings of shame, guilt, and self-blame can subside, making way for feelings of self-worth and self-compassion. These newfound senses can influence the search for meaning in your life and your sense of purpose as expressed through your life choices, beliefs, values, traditions, and practices. This experience caused one person who was recovering from Anorexia Nervosa to say:
“I feel like I’ve gained the whole universe…I’ve lost everything, except for I’ve gained myself.”
- Amy, 50
So, now it’s your turn.
Just how much do you want things to be different? Picking up the phone may feel uncomfortable, but it could be so worthwhile. As soon as you begin to talk about what is bothering you, the sooner things can change. Struggling is not failing—so don’t let your situation drag on any longer.
