Naturopathic Psychotherapy

Naturopathic psychotherapy is neurobiologically based in that it emphasizes the body's potential to heal and focuses on prevention and balance. Naturopathic psychotherapists explore complementary and alternative options including botanical supplements, nutritional counseling, and treating environmental toxicities; tangible and emotional. Western methods, such as prescription drugs, are used as needed and when prescribed by a competent psychiatrist. Naturopathic counseling was first practiced in the United States in 1895. It developed as an eclectic integration of European "nature cure" and Native American herbalism.

The resurgence of naturopathic counseling was spurred by the opening of several regionally accredited graduate schools of naturopathic medicine in the 1970s. Naturopathic counseling is currently licensed in 11 states, and there are more than 2,000 naturopaths nationwide.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) considers naturopathic counseling to be an alternative medical system which places it in the same category as Traditional Chinese Medicine. NCCAM is sponsoring research to investigate the benefit of this approach. In the treatment of medical conditions, naturopathic medicine is used to treat conditions like diabetes and hypertension. In the treatment of mental health, naturopathic counseling has been used for conditions like depression, anxiety, insomnia, and chronic fatigue.

Principles of Naturopathic Psychotherapy

Naturopathic psychotherapy is based on the same tenets as traditional naturopathic medicine. Naturopathic ideology focuses on naturally-occurring and minimally-invasive methods, trusting to the "healing power of nature." Prevention through stress reduction and a healthy diet and lifestyle is emphasized. The philosophy of naturopathic practice is self-described by six core values:

  1. First, do no harm; provide the most effective health care available with the least risk to patients at all times.
  2. Recognize, respect and promote the self-healing power of nature inherent in each individual human being.
  3. Identify and remove the causes of illness, rather than eliminate or suppress symptoms.
  4. Educate and inspire rational hope and encourage self-responsibility for health.
  5. Treat each person by considering all individual health factors and influences.
  6. Emphasize the condition of health to promote well-being and to prevent diseases for the individual, each community and our world.
The focus of naturopathic psychotherapy is on its philosophy of natural self-healing rather than specific methods, and practitioners use a wide variety of treatment modalities. A consultation typically begins with a lengthy patient interview focusing on lifestyle, medical history, emotional tone, and physical features.

One of the criticisms of naturopathic medicine is that its practitioners do not believe in the standard care commonly used in Western medicine, most notably pharmaceutical drugs. This is a misnomer in that each naturopath has his or her own personal and professional philosophy. In naturopathic psychotherapy, the therapist believes that medication is as viable an option as any other.

Naturopathic psychotherapists craft comprehensive treatment plans that blend the best of psychology, modern medical science, and traditional natural medical approaches to not only treat disorders, but to also restore health.


References
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