Spring Into a More Positive You: Holistic Counseling Services at Bastyr

Springtime is considered a welcome relief from winter colds, flus and blues. But for one in four Americans living with emotional difficulties or distress, more than a change in weather will be needed to achieve overall wellness this spring. Emotional health is an integral component of overall well-being. In addition to helping build a more positive outlook, emotional health affects personal relationships, decision-making and recovery time after physical illness.

"Our minds are not separate entities from the rest of us. Many physical conditions are actually rooted in a state of mind, or in a history of stress that has never been balanced. Lives can be endangered when people are stressed, depressed, anxious or grief-stricken," explain Jaelline Jaffe, PhD, and Robert Segal, MA, contributors to help-guide.org.

Bastyr Center for Natural Health offers counseling services as a part of complete wellness care. Naturopathic clinicians are trained in various counseling techniques to help patients with life transitions, fatigue, work-related stress, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, seasonal affective disorder and lifestyle-related health problems.

"All who are interested in enhancing their satisfaction with life, self, others and overall well-being are welcomed here," says William Kelleher, PhD, head of counseling at Bastyr Center for Natural Health. "Referral from another provider is not necessary. We will work in partnership with patients toward the goal of poisitive, collaborative and timely care."

Naturopathic counselors focus on the connection between emotional and physical health. Although Bastyr counselors are versed in a variety of health conditions, they have particular expertise with people whose emotional distress may result from chronic health problems and vice versa. They also specialize in helping people improve their stress management skills and change negative health habits. Additionally, they offer individuals and couples training in effective communication.

Treatment usually consists of six to eight one-hour weekly counseling sessions. Approaches such as cognitive-behavioral counseling, relaxation training, energetic medicines, lifestyle recommendations and specific nutritive and herbal medicines, as well as acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, can often provide symptom relief without the use of antideperessent medications. Counselors work with patients to establish goals and mesures progress throughout the treatment process.

ASSESS YOUR HEALTH
Speak to a counselor to receive an evalutation of your emotional well-being. Problems need not be serious to be alleviated using Bastyr's counseling services. Additionally, a preventive approach to emotional well-being is increasingly wise in today's stressful times. See a naturopathic counselor if you wish to improve any of the following signs of good emotional health:

• A zest for living - the ability to enjoy life, to laugh and have fun
• Self-realization - participating in life to the fullest extent possible, through meaningful activities and positive relationships
• Flexibility - the ability to change, grow and experience a range of feelings, as life's circumstances change
• A sense of balance in one's life - between solitude and sociability, work and play, sleep and wakefulness, and rest and exercise
• The ability to care for oneself and others
• Self-confidence and good self-esteem

Start this spring with an improved outlook and overall wellness. Learn more about Bastyr's counseling services or to schedule an appointment, call 206.834.4100.

Author: Kate Lindsay, staff writer
Date: May 2007
Sources: www.new-health.biz; www.helpguide.org; William Kelleher, PhD