Look, when I first started exploring holistic counselling techniques years ago, I was skeptical. Really skeptical. But after seeing the profound changes in people’s lives… well, let me just share what actually works.
## **The Heart of Holistic Counselling**
Holistic counselling isn’t just about talking through your problems (though that’s definitely part of it). It’s about treating you as a whole person – mind, body, spirit, the works. Your anxiety isn’t just “in your head.” Your grief isn’t separate from that knot in your stomach.
Think of it this way. Traditional therapy might focus on changing your thoughts. Holistic counselling? We’re looking at everything. Your thoughts, sure, but also your body’s wisdom, your intuition, even your spiritual beliefs if that’s your thing.
## **Core Techniques That Actually Make a Difference**
### **Mindfulness and Body Awareness**
This isn’t just meditation (though meditation’s great). It’s about:
– Noticing where you hold tension in your body
– Learning to breathe through difficult emotions
– Actually feeling your feelings instead of just thinking about them
– Grounding techniques when anxiety hits hard
I’ve seen clients discover that their “random” headaches show up every time they avoid a difficult conversation. The body keeps score, always.
### **Intuitive Guidance Work**
Okay this one sounds woo-woo, I get it. But hear me out. Sometimes we get so stuck in our heads that we can’t hear our own wisdom anymore. A skilled counsellor can help you:
– Reconnect with your gut instincts
– Trust your inner knowing again
– Sort through the noise to find YOUR truth
– Make decisions that actually feel right
### **Regression and Timeline Therapy**
This is powerful stuff. We’re not just rehashing old memories for fun. We’re:
– Finding where patterns started
– Healing old wounds that still affect you today
– Releasing emotions that got “stuck” years ago
– Understanding why you react the way you do
I’ve watched people finally let go of guilt they’d carried for decades. In one session. It’s… honestly it still amazes me.
### **Energy and Somatic Work**
Your emotions live in your body. Period. This involves:
– Learning to release trapped emotions physically
– Understanding your energy patterns
– Using breathwork to shift stuck states
– Body-based techniques for trauma release
## **The Integration Approach**
Here’s what makes holistic counselling different. We don’t just pick one technique and stick to it. A good practitioner (like Antoinetta at Brisbane Psychotherapy & Counselling) reads the room. Reads YOU.
Maybe you start with talk therapy but then we notice you’re holding your breath every time you mention work. So we shift to breathwork. Then a memory surfaces and we do some regression work. Then we come back to grounding exercises.
It’s fluid. It’s responsive. It’s actually listening to what you need moment by moment.
## **Why These Techniques Work Together**
Look, you’re not just a brain on a stick. You’re a whole person with:
– Physical sensations
– Emotional patterns
– Mental habits
– Spiritual needs (whatever that means for you)
– Past experiences
– Future hopes
Holistic techniques work because they address all of it. Not just the symptom but the whole system.
## **What to Expect in Practice**
In a holistic counselling session, you might:
**Start with checking in** – How’s your body? Your emotions? Your energy?
**Explore the issue** – But not just mentally. Where do you feel it? When did it start?
**Use appropriate techniques** – Maybe it’s breathwork today. Maybe regression. Maybe just deep listening.
**Integrate the experience** – What did you learn? How can you use this?
**Create practical tools** – Exercises, practices, things you can actually use in real life.
## **The Real Magic**
Here’s what I’ve learned after all these years. The techniques are tools, but the real magic? It’s in the relationship. It’s finding someone who sees you as a whole person. Who doesn’t try to fit you into a box or a diagnosis.
It’s about finding your own wisdom again. Learning to trust yourself. Healing not just your mind but your heart, your body, your spirit.
That’s holistic counselling. And honestly? Once you experience it… regular therapy feels like trying to paint with half the colors missing.
If you’re curious, reach out. Ask questions. Your whole self deserves to be heard.
*- Bryce*