Holistic Counselling

Holistic Counselling: A Complete Guide to Whole-Person Therapy

Last Edtited: Oct 2025

What is Holistic Counselling and How Does It Work?

Holistic counselling, also known as integrative therapy, is a therapeutic approach that addresses you as a whole person, empowering you to take control of your health and wellbeing. This means looking at your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing as interconnected aspects of your life, recognising that each of them affects the others.

Unlike conventional therapy that might focus solely on symptoms or specific mental health diagnoses, holistic counselling takes into account factors such as nutrition, exercise, relationships, work, and lifestyle. It's based on the understanding that true healing happens when all aspects of your being are in balance and harmony.

The approach recognises that your thoughts affect your body, your physical health influences your emotions, your relationships impact your mental state, and your spiritual beliefs shape your overall sense of purpose and wellbeing. By addressing all these dimensions simultaneously, holistic counselling helps you create lasting, meaningful change in your life.

The Origins and Philosophy of Holistic Counselling

Holistic counselling emerged from the humanistic psychology movement of the 1960s and 1970s, which emphasised treating the whole person rather than just symptoms or behaviours. Pioneers like Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow, and Fritz Perls advocated for therapeutic approaches that honoured human potential and recognised the interconnection between mind, body, and spirit.

The philosophy draws from various traditions, including Eastern healing practices that have long understood the mind-body-spirit connection, indigenous healing wisdom that views health as harmony between all aspects of life, and modern psychology's growing recognition of how physical health, emotional states, and lifestyle factors all influence mental wellbeing.

Holistic counselling integrates this ancient wisdom with contemporary therapeutic techniques, creating an approach that's both time-tested and evidence-informed. It respects that each person is unique and requires an individualised treatment plan that addresses their specific needs, circumstances, and goals.

Different Techniques Within Holistic Counselling

Holistic counselling may incorporate a range of different techniques and therapies tailored to your individual needs. These techniques are vital components of the healing process, as they help you cultivate a sense of inner peace and balance.

Common approaches include mindfulness-based therapy, which helps you develop present-moment awareness and reduces stress; cognitive-behavioural therapy, which addresses thought patterns that may be holding you back; art therapy and music therapy, which allow for emotional expression beyond words; and alternative therapies such as acupuncture and massage, which address physical manifestations of emotional distress.

Some common self-care practices that may be incorporated into a holistic counselling approach include mindfulness-based therapy, meditation, yoga, exercise, psycho-spiritual counselling, proper nutrition, and adequate rest. These practices allow you to become more aware of your thoughts and emotions and to develop a deeper understanding of the mind-body connection.

Your holistic counsellor might also incorporate energy work, breathwork, nature-based therapy, nutritional counselling, or spiritual exploration, depending on what resonates with you and supports your healing journey.

How Holistic Counselling Can Be Beneficial for Individuals

People who would benefit from holistic counselling include:

• Individuals who've experienced trauma or abuse and need a gentle, comprehensive approach to healing
• Those experiencing relationship or family issues that affect multiple areas of their life People struggling with anxiety, depression or other mental health concerns who want to address root causes rather than just symptoms
• Individuals seeking to achieve greater personal growth and self-awareness
• Those looking to adopt healthier lifestyle choices and self-care practices
• People seeking to explore the spiritual dimension of their mental health

Holistic counselling is particularly valuable for anyone who feels that conventional therapy hasn't fully addressed their needs or who intuitively knows that their challenges involve more than just their thoughts or emotions.

Holistic Counselling for Chronic Illness and Pain

Holistic counselling can provide crucial support in managing the physical, emotional, and mental challenges that come with chronic illness or pain. Here are some ways that holistic counselling can be beneficial:

Addressing the Root Cause: Holistic counselling takes a whole-person approach and considers your physical, emotional, and spiritual health. It aims to uncover the root cause of your illness or pain rather than just treating the symptoms. Your holistic counsellor works with you to identify any emotional or psychological issues that may be contributing to your physical symptoms.

Providing Emotional Support: Living with chronic illness or pain can be emotionally challenging. Holistic counselling offers a safe and supportive space to process difficult emotions and experiences. It can help you manage feelings of anxiety, stress, depression, and grief that often accompany chronic conditions.

Developing Coping Strategies: Holistic counselling helps you develop practical coping strategies to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. This can include mindfulness techniques, relaxation exercises, and other strategies to manage pain and stress that you can use in your daily life.

Improving Communication with Healthcare Providers: Holistic counselling can help you communicate more effectively with your healthcare providers. This ensures you receive the best possible care and treatment for your illness or pain, as you'll feel more confident advocating for your needs.

Addressing Lifestyle Factors: Holistic counselling helps you identify lifestyle factors that may be contributing to your illness or pain, including diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management. Your counsellor works with you to develop a plan to address these factors and improve your overall health and wellbeing.

What to Expect in a Holistic Counselling Session

A holistic counselling session is designed to encompass the entirety of your wellbeing, integrating various aspects of your life and addressing concerns through a multifaceted approach.

Initial Assessment

The session begins with an interview where your counsellor gathers information about your physical health, emotional state, mental wellbeing, spiritual beliefs, and overall lifestyle. This comprehensive assessment helps in understanding your unique situation and identifying areas of focus.

Goal Setting

Collaboratively, you and your counsellor establish goals for the counselling process. These goals address not only immediate concerns but also long-term wellbeing and personal growth. Goals may include achieving emotional balance, improving relationships, adopting healthier lifestyle habits, or exploring spiritual growth.

Integrating Holistic Techniques

Depending on your needs and preferences, your counsellor may integrate various holistic techniques and modalities into the session:

• Mindfulness Practices: Guided meditation, breathing exercises, or mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques to promote awareness and relaxation.
• Expressive Arts Therapies: Using art, music, or movement to facilitate emotional expression and self-discovery.
• Cognitive-Behavioural Techniques: Addressing thought patterns and behaviours that may contribute to emotional distress or inhibit personal growth.
• Nutritional and Lifestyle Counselling: Discussing dietary habits, exercise routines, sleep patterns, and stress management techniques to enhance overall wellbeing.
• Energy Work: Incorporating practices such as Reiki or acupuncture to balance your body's energy systems and promote healing.
• Spiritual Exploration: Supporting you in exploring your spiritual beliefs, practices, and existential questions that may impact your mental and emotional health.

Therapeutic Dialogue

The core of the session involves open and supportive dialogue between you and your counsellor. Your counsellor listens attentively, offers empathy, and encourages self-reflection. Together, you explore thoughts, emotions, and experiences that contribute to your current challenges and aspirations.

Developing a Holistic Care Plan

Based on the assessment and dialogue, your counsellor collaborates with you to develop a holistic care plan. This plan outlines specific strategies, exercises, and practices to support your goals and promote overall wellbeing between sessions.

Benefits of Holistic Counselling

Holistic counselling offers numerous benefits that extend beyond symptom management. You'll experience a more comprehensive understanding of yourself and your challenges, recognising how different aspects of your life influence each other.

The approach empowers you to take an active role in your healing, providing practical tools and strategies you can use in daily life. Many clients report feeling more balanced, grounded, and connected to themselves after holistic counselling.

You'll develop greater self-awareness and emotional intelligence, learning to recognise patterns and triggers before they escalate. The integrative nature of holistic counselling often leads to improvements in multiple areas of life simultaneously, as addressing one aspect naturally supports healing in others.

The approach also honours your individuality, recognising that what works for one person may not work for another. This personalised treatment plan respects your values, beliefs, and preferences whilst supporting your unique healing journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between holistic counselling and regular counselling?

Holistic counselling differs from conventional counselling by addressing all aspects of your wellbeing (physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual) rather than focusing solely on symptoms or mental health diagnoses. Whilst traditional counselling might primarily use talk therapy to address psychological issues, holistic counselling integrates multiple modalities and considers lifestyle factors, nutrition, relationships, and spiritual beliefs as part of your healing journey. Both approaches can be valuable, but holistic counselling offers a more comprehensive, whole-person perspective.

Is holistic counselling evidence-based?

Holistic counselling integrates many evidence-based therapeutic techniques, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and trauma-informed approaches. Whilst the integrative, whole-person philosophy draws from traditional healing wisdom, many of the specific techniques used have strong research support. The effectiveness of holistic counselling lies in its personalised, comprehensive approach that addresses multiple factors contributing to wellbeing. Many clients find this integrative approach more effective than single-modality treatments.

How long does holistic counselling take?

The duration of holistic counselling varies greatly depending on your individual needs, goals, and circumstances. Some people experience significant benefits after just a few sessions, whilst others benefit from longer-term therapeutic relationships. Your holistic counsellor will work with you to develop a treatment plan that suits your needs and timeline. Unlike some conventional approaches that might have set durations, holistic counselling is flexible and responsive to your progress and changing needs.

Can holistic counselling help with specific mental health conditions?

Yes, holistic counselling can effectively address anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, grief, relationship issues, and many other mental health concerns. The comprehensive approach often helps identify and address underlying factors that contribute to these conditions, such as lifestyle habits, unresolved emotions, or spiritual disconnection. However, holistic counselling works best as part of a coordinated care plan. For serious mental health conditions, it's important to work alongside medical professionals and consider all appropriate treatment options.

Do I need to have spiritual beliefs to benefit from holistic counselling?

No, you don't need to hold any specific spiritual beliefs to benefit from holistic counselling. Whilst the approach acknowledges the spiritual dimension of wellbeing, this can mean different things to different people. For some, it's about organised religion; for others, it's about connection to nature, purpose, or values. Your holistic counsellor will respect your beliefs and work with what feels right for you. The "spiritual" aspect can simply mean exploring what gives your life meaning and purpose.

How much do holistic counselling sessions cost?

Holistic counselling sessions in Australia typically cost between $100-$200 per session, depending on the counsellor's qualifications, experience, location, and session length. Initial sessions may be slightly more expensive as they usually run longer to allow for comprehensive assessment. Some holistic counsellors are registered with professional bodies that allow you to claim rebates through private health insurance. Those with psychology qualifications may be eligible for Medicare rebates under a Mental Health Care Plan, though you should check with individual practitioners.

How do I find a qualified holistic counsellor?

When seeking a holistic counsellor, look for someone who's experienced, knowledgeable, and qualified in holistic counselling. Consider their qualifications and training, ensuring they have appropriate credentials. Choose a counsellor whose approach resonates with you and who shares your values and beliefs. The relationship between counsellor and client is essential, so look for someone who creates a safe and trusting environment for you to explore your thoughts and feelings. Consider practical factors such as location, availability, and fees.

We understand the difficulty in finding a holistic counsellor, given the highly personalised nature of the service. The Australian Counselling Association (ACA) provides information surrounding holistic counselling. The Australian Holistic Healers and Counsellors Association (AHHCA) provides accreditation for practitioners who meet specific training and experience requirements and can help you find a holistic counsellor. If you're looking for qualified practitioners, Bodhi Holistic Hub offers carefully vetted and verified holistic counsellors, giving you peace of mind you'll be in good hands.

Can holistic counselling be done online?

Yes, many holistic counsellors offer online sessions via video conferencing, which can be just as effective as in-person sessions for many clients. Online sessions provide flexibility and accessibility, allowing you to work with practitioners who might not be in your local area. Some techniques, such as talk therapy, mindfulness practices, and goal-setting, translate very well to online formats. However, certain hands-on modalities like energy work or bodywork may be more limited in online settings, though some practitioners have adapted these approaches for distance work.

References and Further Reading

Professional Organisations

• Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
• Australian Holistic Healers and Counsellors Association (AHHCA)
• Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
• International Coach Federation (ICF)
• Australian Association of Somatic Psychotherapy

Research and Scientific Foundation

• Australian Psychological Society
• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
• Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine
• Journal of Holistic Healthcare
• International Journal of Whole Person Care

Educational Resources

• "The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk
• "When the Body Says No" by Dr. Gabor Maté
• "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle
• "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl
• Australian College of Applied Psychology course materials
• Endeavour College of Natural Health counselling programs

Related and Complementary modalities

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): A structured, evidence-based therapeutic approach that helps you identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to emotional distress, providing practical tools for managing anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
• Mindfulness: A practice of bringing your full attention to the present moment without judgment, helping you develop greater awareness of your thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations whilst reducing stress and enhancing overall wellbeing.
• Art Therapy: A creative therapeutic approach that uses artistic expression—such as painting, drawing, or sculpting—to help you explore emotions, process trauma, and communicate feelings that may be difficult to express through words alone.
• Energy Healing and Emotional Freedom Technique: Complementary practices that work with your body's energy systems to release emotional blockages and promote healing, with EFT using gentle tapping on specific meridian points to reduce emotional distress and restore balance.
   

This guide was written by the Bodhi Holistic Hub team according to their editorial policy.