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Holistic Therapy

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At Sacramento Mental Health, our holistic therapy approach is designed to catalyze transformative changes in your life. Our treatment philosophy extends beyond merely managing symptoms; we address you as a complete individual. By exploring the root causes of your mental health challenges, we aim to equip you with effective strategies to heal from past traumas.

Our holistic method encompasses a comprehensive evaluation of the factors that have influenced the development of your mental health or co-occurring disorders. During your time with us, you will engage in an integrative treatment process that fosters profound and enduring shifts in your perspective, enhancing both your mental and emotional well-being. This approach ensures that you gain a renewed sense of purpose and a healthier outlook on life.

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Choosing The Right Therapies

At Sacramento Mental Health, we understand that each person’s journey to recovery is unique. Upon entering our facility, individuals receive a customized treatment plan specifically designed to address their distinct needs. In collaboration with our clinical team and a dedicated case manager, patients identify the most effective treatment strategies for their circumstances. Goals are set collaboratively, ensuring therapy objectives are clear and attainable, with the flexibility to modify the plan to better meet or exceed these goals.

We are committed to the profound impact holistic therapies have on treating psychological conditions. Patients interested in these integrative options are encouraged to explore the variety of therapies we offer, all aimed at treating the individual as a whole—encompassing mental, physical, and emotional well-being. This approach not only addresses immediate health concerns but also fosters long-term resilience and recovery.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

woman practicing minduflness outside

Developed by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1979, the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) method originally served as a stress management tool but has since been adapted to address a wide spectrum of health conditions. These conditions include anxiety, depression, chronic pain, hypertension, and diabetes. At Sacramento Mental Health, we integrate MBSR techniques into our holistic therapy offerings, utilizing mindfulness meditation to mitigate the impacts of physical, psychosomatic, and psychiatric disorders.

By engaging in MBSR, individuals at our facility learn to harness their attention to foster self-awareness, which is crucial for making more mindful decisions in everyday life. Incorporating mindfulness practices regularly enhances present-moment awareness and heightens sensory perception.

Furthermore, MBSR techniques guide individuals away from detrimental ruminations on past or future worries. Instead, they learn adaptive strategies to face stress effectively. The practice also facilitates behavioral changes, reducing automatic negative responses and helping manage chronic pain more effectively. This comprehensive approach supports individuals in achieving a balanced and healthier state of mind.

Meditation

Meditation encompasses various philosophies and techniques designed to focus attention and cultivate a state of inner peace and heightened awareness. Techniques such as mindful breathing, mantra repetition, or disengaging from one’s thoughts are central to this practice. At Sacramento Mental Health, we recognize the significant body of research indicating that meditation not only promotes relaxation and stress reduction but also has preventive and therapeutic benefits for physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Historically celebrated in complementary medicine, meditation is proven to offer both physical and psychological advantages, potentially alleviating certain conditions for many individuals. The foundational belief behind meditation is the interconnection between mental and physical health; a serene mind can substantially aid the body in recovering from stress or trauma.

In our therapeutic settings, meditation and related mindfulness practices are integral tools. Therapists at Sacramento Mental Health may begin by teaching basic deep-breathing techniques or advance to more specialized practices such as Zen yoga or mantra repetition, depending on individual client needs. These methods are employed to treat a diverse array of conditions, fostering overall well-being and recovery.

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Yoga Therapy

Yoga therapy, guided by the principles and techniques of yoga, is dedicated to empowering individuals to improve their health. At Sacramento Mental Health, yoga therapy is defined as the application of specific yoga practices aimed at alleviating physical and mental health issues, with the overarching goal of promoting self-care and holistic well-being. While traditional yoga naturally holds therapeutic properties, yoga therapy focuses on harnessing specific practices known for their documented benefits to address and manage mental and physical ailments effectively.

Drawing from both ancient yoga traditions and contemporary medical research, yoga therapy at our center is tailored to meet the unique health needs of each client. For instance, certain yoga poses are specifically utilized to aid in relieving conditions like a herniated disc, utilizing movements designed to strengthen and support the lower back.

In the context of treating conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), our yoga therapy incorporates gentle, specialized techniques aimed at regulating the nervous system and fostering a reconnection with bodily sensations. Additionally, for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, specific yoga poses are employed to mitigate excessive sensory stimulation and improve emotional regulation. This personalized approach ensures that yoga therapy at Sacramento Mental Health effectively supports recovery and enhances overall well-being.

mad practicing yoga outside  holistic therapy in sacramento

Art Therapy

woman painting and participating in art therapy as a form of holistic therapy for mental health problems

At Sacramento Mental Health, art therapy merges the discipline of mental health with the expressive and therapeutic potency of creativity. This approach utilizes active art-making, creative processes, applied psychological theories, and human experiences to foster healing and emotional expression. Conducted by licensed professionals trained in both therapy and artistic disciplines, art therapy is versatile, benefiting individuals of all ages and can be applied in various settings such as individual sessions, group therapy, and family or relationship counseling.

Art therapy at our facility invites both artists and non-artists to embark on a journey of self-discovery in a safe environment that encourages the expression of emotions and provides empowerment over personal circumstances. The act of creating art is not only therapeutic but also deeply rewarding. During art therapy sessions, participants may engage in a range of activities, including:

  • Painting
  • Drawing
  • Finger painting
  • Working with clay
  • Carving
  • Sculpting
  • Doodling and scribbling
  • Creating collages

Aroma Therapy

Aromatherapy at Sacramento Mental Health is an alternative therapeutic practice that leverages the healing properties of essential oils extracted from various plants, including flowers, herbs, and trees. These essential oils are primarily inhaled or applied topically in a diluted form to harness their therapeutic effects. Our aromatherapy sessions incorporate a diverse array of essential oils, such as Roman chamomile, geranium, lavender, tea tree, lemon, ginger, and cedarwood, each chosen for their unique healing properties.

In addition to standalone aromatherapy sessions, we often integrate aromatherapy with massage treatment to address a range of conditions. This combination has proven particularly effective in alleviating issues like knee pain associated with osteoarthritis, as well as general pain and anxiety.

Research on aromatherapy, including a study examining the effects of lemon and lavender scents on individuals experiencing stress, indicates varied outcomes. While lemon scent was found to enhance mood, the study noted no significant impact on stress markers, immune system changes, or pain management. This underscores the importance of personalized approaches in aromatherapy, where treatments are tailored to meet the specific emotional and physical needs of each client at our facility.

aroma therapy bottles