Integrative psychiatry principles

Integrative psychiatry combines conventional care with complimentary treatments. It’s a holistic approach that addresses physical symptoms along with mental, emotional, social and spiritual aspects as they relates to health and wellbeing. Integrative providers embrace longer sessions to obtain comprehensive histories and build trusting relationships, leading to highly personalized treatment and care. While treatment plans may include medication, emphasis is placed on finding the root cause of mental illness using functional medicine principles along with complimentary treatments that support optimal mental health and wellness.

Types of treatment used in integrative psychiatry

• Nutritional psychiatry: This rapidly growing specialty focuses on the connection between diet and mental health. There is a growing body evidence that connects the role of the microbiome and the gut-brain axis with mental health conditions. Nutrition assessments are used to formulate a treatment plan that may include dietary recommendations and meal plans that support optimal brain health.

• Supplements: Scientific research supports the use of some supplements to treat or prevent mental health symptoms or conditions. For example, vitamins and micronutrients play an important role in the regulation of neurotransmitters that affect mood and anxiety. An individualized plan of care may include recommendations for supplements. Specialty labs may be used to identify imbalances that cause or contribute to mental illness.

• Lifestyle recommendations: This is an essential component of integrative psychiatry. Integrative providers explore sleep, social connections, stress responses and physical activity. Current and previous environmental factors are also investigated. Interventions may include physical and social activity, mindfulness training, and relaxation techniques such as guided meditation and breathing exercises to manage stress. We are planning to use virtual reality in office and remotely to improve access to these and other therapy modalities.

• Psychotherapy: Therapy is a cornerstone of our care. Approaches may include cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal and psychodynamic therapy. Therapists provide non-judgmental care and help clients understand their thoughts, behaviors and feelings. They assist with development of effective coping strategies and support clients in their journey toward wellness. Some offer walking therapy sessions.

• Bodywork: Massage, acupuncture, Reiki, yoga and Tai Chi are commonly recommended if health status and physical ability allows.

Who can benefit from integrative psychiatry

Those who have experienced limited improvement with conventional treatment or adverse effects from medications used to treat mental health disorders may benefit from an integrative approach. Most people with a mental health condition or significant life challenge can utilize integrative care, even if they wish to continue conventional care with their current psychiatrist or therapist.

More information can be found at the National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health.

Other integrative psychiatry treatments

Psychedelic-assisted therapy and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic with some hallucinogenic effects that can be administered by intravenous infusion or via the nasal cavity with SPRAVATO®. TMS uses magnetic energy to stimulate areas of the brain that regulate mood. These non-invasive approaches are approved for treatment-resistant depression. We work in collaboration with CorePsych, PLLC and Greenbrook TMS for treatment with SPRAVATO® and TMS.