Can psychology and alternative therapies be paired to heal?
Can psychology and alternative therapies work together? This is how wellness can support mental health treatment and where its limits lie.
Cold plunges, breathwork, and other alternative therapies may provide temporary relief, but they should not replace professional mental health treatment for severe anxiety, trauma, or other mental health issues. Former rugby player Rhys Thomas credits professional treatment with his recovery, after years of anxiety, alcohol abuse, and destructive behavior led to a heart attack and car crash.
Thomas emphasized that while alternative therapies can be beneficial, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution and must complement, not replace, professional care. Anne Mari Viviers of Heavenly Healing in Benoni stressed that practitioners should be aware of their limitations and not claim that they can cure serious mental health conditions.
She also cautioned against interpreting intense emotional experiences as evidence of healing. While practices like breathwork, meditation, and EMDR can be helpful, they should not encourage people to push through distress. Instead, finding connection with others, whether through community activities or hobbies, can provide support and reduce feelings of isolation.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
