Holistic Care in a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

Not everyone responds to traditional talk therapy and peer support during a partial hospitalization program (PHP). Some people go through multiple mental health programs without getting the help they need. Alternative holistic therapies allow individuals to connect with their recovery in a new way. Holistic care improves the mind-body connection and helps people heal. 

According to the Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine, “Mind-body complementary health approaches (CHAs) are a diverse group of health care practices focused on the relationships among the mind, body, brain, and behavior that are not currently considered a part of conventional medicine.” Corner Canyon Health Centers uses various clinical modalities and complementary, holistic treatments. 

What Is Holistic Care?

Holistic care combines integrative and complementary treatments to address each client’s spiritual, physical, and emotional health. According to the National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), “Complementary approaches can be classified by their primary therapeutic input (how the therapy is taken in or delivered), which may be:

• Nutritional (e.g., special diets, dietary supplements, herbs, and probiotics)
• Psychological (e.g., mindfulness)
• Physical (e.g., massage, spinal manipulation)
• Combinations such as psychological and physical (e.g., yoga, tai chi, acupuncture, dance or art therapies) or psychological and nutritional (e.g., mindful eating)”

Complementary medicine in mental health treatment has become a popular option for individuals who don’t respond as positively to more traditional programs. Every person experiencing mental health issues has unique needs and preferences. For example, some individuals may feel more connected to nutritional interventions or experiential therapies. The PHP at Corner Canyon Health Centers offers various alternative therapies and services. 

How Does Holistic Care Improve the Effectiveness of Treatment?

Holistic care balances the mind, body, and spirit. People often have a more challenging time engaging in recovery if they have unaddressed spiritual or physical issues impacting their mental recovery. According to the Western Journal of Medicine, holistic medicine “addresses the psychological, familial, societal, ethical and spiritual as well as biological dimensions of health and illness.” Treatment programs addressing all aspects of a person’s health provide the best outcomes. 

Most people recovering from mental health disorders benefit from participating in multiple forms of therapy. Often, personalized treatment plans incorporate alternative and evidence-based therapies to provide a whole-person approach to healing. PHPs are ideal for holistic therapies because they allow clients to practice the skills they learn in treatment. In addition, PHPs are often more flexible than residential programs, making it easier for clients to attend multiple groups and types of therapy around their schedule.

Common Forms of Holistic Care

Holistic care uses various therapeutic modalities to meet the needs of clients and groups in treatment. According to the International Journal of Health Sciences, “Basic principles of integrative medicine include a partnership between the patient and the practitioner in the healing process, the appropriate use of conventional and alternative methods to facilitate the body’s innate healing response, the consideration of all factors that influence health, wellness and disease, including mind, spirit and community as well as body, a philosophy that neither rejects conventional medicine nor accepts alternative medicine uncritically.” 

Balance is vital in holistic care. The clinicians at Corner Canyon Health Centers prioritize client comfort and safety when creating integrative treatment plans. 

Some common forms of holistic care include: 

• Meditation and mindfulness
• Yoga, breathwork, and other low-stress physical exercises
• Equine therapy and other forms of experiential therapy
• Art and music therapy

Holistic treatments prepare clients for managing their condition in the real world. For example, alternative holistic therapies like acupuncture reduce stress and help clients feel more focused. 

Alternative Holistic Therapies at Corner Canyon Health Centers

Corner Canyon Health Centers uses alternative holistic therapies to reach people who struggle to feel engaged with more traditional forms of therapy. Holistic care in PHPs offers clients the skills to cope with their disorder and regain functionality. Many clients start in PHP and then gradually transition to lower levels of care as they gain confidence in managing their condition. Other clients may start in residential care and then transition to PHP. The clinical team works with each client to ensure they have access to the best services to meet their needs.

Finding New Ways to Heal From Mental Health Disorders

People with mental health disorders often try multiple holistic therapies before finding the ones that work best for them. Collaboration with the care team is essential in determining which holistic therapies to include in a client’s treatment plan. According to the previously mentioned article by the International Journal of Health Sciences, “The most common [complementary alternative medicine] . . . used in the USA in 2002 were prayer (45.2%), herbalism (18.9%), breathing meditation (11.6%), meditation (7.6%), chiropractic medicine (7.5%), yoga (5.1%), body work (5.0%), diet-based therapy (3.5%), progressive relaxation (3.0%), mega-vitamin therapy (2.8%) and visualization (2.1%).” 

Corner Canyon Health Centers understands recovery from mental health disorders should address the mind and body. Holistic care ensures all clients receive the level of support they need to grow and recover.

People participating in partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) benefit from holistic care. Treatment programs offering holistic care ensure clients and clinicians work closely together to develop an effective treatment plan. Most people with mental health disorders have multiple underlying issues and side effects that they must address during early treatment. Corner Canyon Health Centers helps clients establish healthy routines and learn essential coping skills through integrative and holistic care. Clients are encouraged to participate in different complementary therapies and community activities until they find ones they connect with on a deeper level. Holistic care encompasses a wide range of services. To learn more about our programs, call our office today at (877) 717-6237.