WHAT IS MIND BODY MEDICINE?

Mind body medicine addresses the mental and spiritual issues of patient and how those issues impact health and treatment outcomes.  By taking a holistic approach to treatment, naturopathic medical doctors acknowledge the impact that the mind and spirit has on health, and naturopaths address these issues in workup and treatment plans.

My comprehensive workup starts with a mind body interview and a mental health risk assessment.  From this analysis, I arrive at recommendations to bring about shifts in energy associated with these problems.  Some therapeutic exercises that I recommend and teach include:  

·        Journaling

·        Talk therapy

·        Meditation

·        Guided imagery

·        Music listening

·        Visualization

·        Drawing

·        Letterwriting

·        Breathing and relaxation techniques

·        Biofeedback

·        Hypnosis.

I have additional specific training in hypnosis and use it effectively to shift perceptions and create awareness in my patients.  All of these therapies are integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan.   

The patient needs to find a good fit with a practitioner.   Sometimes a referral is indicated based on the patient’s specific needs.  In this instance, I may work adjunctively with the other therapist or I may discharge the patient to their care entirely.  The patient ultimately chooses.  This is empowering to the patient and results in the best possible outcome.

All good practice of medicine should incorporate mind body counseling.  The therapies are powerful and I use them routinely my medical practice.