What sort of therapies might be part of a holistic approach to mental illness?
Conventional therapy might include drug therapy, as well as psychiatric and psychological therapy. Complementary therapies might include art therapy, music therapy, relaxation therapy, and traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, naturopathy, and Bach flower therapy. Other techniques used may include hypnotherapy, reiki healing therapy, dance and movement therapy, addressing diet and nutrition, lifestyle management classes, aromatherapy, and exercise therapy. What kind of benefits can these therapies have? Research has shown that acupuncture can help people with schizophrenia. Addressing diet and nutrition can also be beneficial to schizophrenia patients, whose diets have been shown to lack folic acid, and whose depression may be eased through the use of certain amino acids. Meditation, yoga, aromatherapy, and hypnotherapy are all proven methods for reducing mental stress and anxiety. Reflexology, which involves placing pressure with one’s fingers and thumbs on certain pres