Mind/Body Integration Model

The mind/body model integrates many approaches to provide a holistic treatment approach. It looks at the whole person by recognizing that the mind and body are inextricably woven together. So, when you feel happy, sad, angry, or fearful, there are changes taking place in your brain that affect your physical and mental well-being. When mind-body integrity breaks down owing to mental and emotional stress they can become concerned about possible health problems. This can take a physical toll. When chronic it can manifest as body conditions (as noted below in the symptoms section of stressors).

My use of a mind/body integration model is a holistic approach that provides my patients with a measurable improvement in their quality of life. The "Treatment" section identifies and defines a selection of treatments that I provide to optimize achieving your mental, emotional, and physical wellness. The integrity of the mind/body connection becomes compromised when the mental, emotional, and physical components of a person are under duress in response to stress. If your symptoms are not attended to, they can result in serious emotional and physical conditions.

When you have good emotional health, you’re aware of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. You can manage stress and problems that are a normal part of life. You experience life events as challenges rather than problems. You don’t become overly anxious or worried by anticipating potential negative outcomes: the stress of “what if?” You experience inner security that affords you to be confident in your competence to remain calm and manage life events. Simply put: you accept yourself for who you are.

However, many events that happen in a person’s life can disrupt physical and emotional health with the consequence of sadness, depression, and/ or anxiety i.e. “fight, flight or freeze response.” Stress can be experienced regardless of whether the life event is perceived as positive or negative. A few examples of typical negative stressors are: becoming unemployed, the death of a loved one, an illness or injury, a divorce, or financial issues. A few examples of typical positive events that cause or exaggerate the stress response are a job promotion, the birth of a baby, and looking for and purchasing a home.

Symptoms of stress that compromise mind-body balance: Mental and emotional distress can cause physical symptoms. Although seemingly independent, many physical symptoms are more likely to coexist or be the byproduct of these psychological conflicts. In addition, we see that many physical conditions are worsened by stress (e.g. asthma, psoriasis, migraine, and other medical conditions). Therefore, mind-body psychotherapy with additional approaches can have positive effects on physical and emotional conditions.