What is a holistic counselling practice?
A growing number of wellness professionals are combining holistic practices with a traditional approach. Clinical mental health counsellor Chris McDonald explains how strategies like mindfulness, breathing and yoga enhance talk therapy by calming the nervous system and strengthening the body connection. She highlights the benefits of addressing clients’ emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual needs, finding sustainable self-care practices, and managing the stigma sometimes attached to holistic techniques.
Chris McDonald
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In ep. 97 of the weekly podcast series Calm, Clear and Helpful, Chris clarifies
her journey into holistic counselling
what “holistic” means
the principles of grounding and mindfulness
the difference between traditional and holistic counselling
examples of holistic techniques and strategies
the use of visual fields, e.g. EMDR or Brainspotting
the benefits of holistic techniques
managing the stigma sometimes attached to the use of holistic techniques
how a holistic practice serves clients and therapists
the importance of self-care for wellness professionals
helpful techniques Chris uses to calm down her own anxiety
how to stay motivated to maintain self-care practices
Chris’ best self-care tips.
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Chris’ guide on self-care, available on Amazon: http://bit.ly/3UiN07M
About Chris
Chris McDonald is a licensed clinical mental health counsellor and holistic provider with a group online practice in Raleigh, North Carolina. As a registered yoga teacher, she offers gentle yoga to clients in sessions, workshops and private yoga sessions. Chris specializes in the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma and grief in young adults in transition. She teaches clients relaxation skills, mindfulness, meditation and Brainspotting. Chris also offers therapy for therapists and wrote the book Self-Care for the Counselor.
Chris hosts The Holistic Counseling Podcast to help mental health therapists integrate holistic strategies into treatment and build a holistic counselling practice.
Websites: https://holisticcounselingpodcast.com/ and www.pathtohopecounseling.com
Email address: chris@holisticcounselingpodcast.com
Facebook: The Holistic Counseling Podcast
In this interview, podcast host Chris asks Mariette questions about what happens behind the scenes at her wellness podcast, Calm, Clear & Helpful: https://holisticcounselingpodcast.com/podcasts/95-podcasting/
Also listen to caregiver advocate Meriam Boldewijn explaining how a simple self-care system can help caregivers regain their balance.
The free podcast series Calm, Clear & Helpful is available on iTunes, Spotify, Player FM, Pocket Casts and Iono.fm.
Music by Mart-Marie Snyman
Thumbnail image: Unsplash.
Photographs of Chris McDonald: supplied