History
Holistic Therapy originated in the Fall of 2009 by a first year Master’s Student in the College Student Affairs program. This theorist, Priscilla Moreno, working from multiple perspectives sought to integrate therapies that she found most pertinent to meeting current societal needs: Jungian Analysis, Feminist Therapy, Existential Therapy, and Behavioral Therapy. Holistic Therapy takes into account the positive contributions as well as the inadequacies that accompany each of these four methods. Considering Feminist Therapy for example, while the techniques and therapist/client relationship may be advantageous for all women, the roots in which the therapy originated will alter its integration within this therapy: 

Although Feminist Therapy is newer comparatively, much work still remains to be completed in order to fulfill its mission. Feminist therapy developed from a need to consider societal structures, such as gender roles, in therapeutic systems; foundations of this therapy however stem from the political Feminist movement, which has been labeled as “a White Woman’s movement.” This movement received this label based on the fact that it disregarded the needs of women of color, their place in society, and even place within the political movement; it did not take into account the needs of every woman for equal treatment in all aspects of life not simply politically. Thus focusing on the positive contributions of Feminist Therapy, I have chosen a different perspective, Womanism, with which I identify. Due to the political and cultural implications “Feminism” evokes, a Womanist perspective integrates Feminist therapy with cultural climate as a central focus, not simply a model.

While each therapy is criticized for its insufficiencies, the areas in which it lacks as well as the positive aspects each generates contributed to the formation of a new therapy. Holistic therapy focuses on all aspects of the individual: past, present (both internal and external features), as well as future in order for the client to fully experience life by empowering individuals, reducing irrationalities, and alleviating stressors. 

Goals 
The main goal of Holistic therapy is the positive development of the client into a fully functioning member of society in all aspects of life. This includes:

1. Acknowledging the unconscious aspects all humans share (“collective unconscious”) and bringing it to the fore so that the client is able to examine those thoughts that have been suppressed and eventually better understand them. 
2. Individual empowerment, which can be achieved permanently by addressing issues of self-esteem and image, balancing instrumental and relational strengths, and action
3. Targeting specific behaviors in order to create a positive change for the client as well as future relationships
4. Understanding that existence is temporary, coming to terms with those implications, developing your authenticity and being able to fully experience your existence while it is available to you

Assumptions
Assumptions should not be considered a checklist for evaluation; what is considered to be a reliable standard for information today may no longer be valid tomorrow. Every individual retains a different perspective based on their culture and experiences, thus broad assumptions should remain limited, as “different language for every patient” is needed. Above you were given the goals of Holistic therapy, now, we will examine the few broad assumptions that Holistic therapists retain.

Societal structures as causes to the development of every individual are a main assumption of this therapy. While every person has different life experiences in many forms, every human shares certain perceptions of their interactions, their surroundings, and the world. Because of societal structures, from a young age children are conditioned into “behaving appropriately” and forced to cast aside those traits that do not align with social norms. Many individuals may not be aware that they retain separate thoughts in an “unconscious” section of their brain affecting their behavior and beliefs, let alone that they share similar ideas as every human being, this concept is known as the “collective unconscious.” The actions and beliefs that have been forced aside at a young age and are pushed into a separate “containment” area are known as “the shadow.” The structures that force individuals to suppress their undesired traits, thoughts, behaviors, and feelings allows for assumptions within this therapy that individuals may not be “whole” as parts of them have been removed. 

Subliminal gender roles also fall within this assumption. From an early age boys and girls are either overtly or covertly pushed into fitting within mainstream ‘gender roles,’ throughout life this will be a direct factor in how those two sexes view the world. These dichotomous gender roles consistently present a problem for those who chose to not adhere to (or blatantly disregard) mainstream social and gender norms as well as those who are biologically both (or neither) man and woman. The latter individuals are forced a sex (being chosen for them at birth), as well as a gender by which they are expected to express regardless of whether or not they feel it best suits them. The assumption is that societal structures produce a direct conflict for everyone, both men and women, and especially those who may not behave up to par with societal norms. 

Societal structures are also the cause for norms that are considered to be appropriate or mainstream. Concerned with how people act, learn, and think part of this therapy focuses on targeting specific behaviors that ‘need’ to be addressed. Not succumbing to these widespread norms, “irrational” behavior will be addressed to ensure that one has not been ‘conditioned’ into acting or believing certain facets of cultural norms. The goal is to make the client into a fully functioning, happy individual not necessarily to alter the personality to please societal beliefs. We want our clients experiencing life fully, thus they need to acknowledge the limited time available, combat their issues, and move towards living a more fulfilling and authentic lifestyle. 

Relationship
An effective therapeutic experience for the client must first begin with the therapist. It is imperative that the therapist not only understand the client, it is equally important that they understand themselves; only if the therapist is able to cope with themselves and their issues, will they be able to teach others how to do the same. Without this awareness, the patient will not be able to truly learn. 

Even prior to the therapist/client interaction commencing, the interaction should be one of mutual respect. Once the sessions begin regularly, the relationship should be one of friendship, and empathic regard (care) but with established boundaries. Accepting the patient’s disturbances and unconscious processes is essential; the client must genuinely understand and appreciate the client’s honesty, willingness to change, and courage for beginning therapy. In turn, the therapist should also be open and clear about the relationship they share, while not re-creating external power dynamics within the therapy session (if the therapist refers to a client by their first name, the therapist should also expect to be addressed by their first name and so forth). The therapist should not keep the client in suspense; therapy is not meant to be mysterious but rather provide insight, therefore, all details regarding the therapeutic process: session length, goals, fees, and times should be discussed and agreed upon before services are provided. 

Another method to strengthen the client/therapist relationship would be honesty about the therapists’ own self-exploration. Self-disclosure should be approached with caution so as not to seem to further power dynamics “this is how I became successful” and should be given only when appropriate (to enhance the “realness” of the therapist). The therapists’ previous experience themselves with self-exploration provides a better understanding of how difficult this process can be, and thus allows the relationship to develop as the therapist assists the client through the exploration of their unconscious. 

 Finally it is essential that the therapist genuinely desires improvement for the client. Asking for feedback from the client can serve two functions; to further develop the relationship with the client, and to ensure that the client understands the therapeutic process correctly. During sessions it is imperative that the therapist be not only physically present, but mentally and emotionally as well.  Overall, the therapist must cultivate a relationship of genuine, positive regard and maintain a feeling of authentic love for the client; this bond can be seen as a loving friendship with true openness and care. 

Techniques
There are many techniques available when using Holistic Therapy; the techniques utilized throughout a therapeutic session will be chosen by the therapist based on the needs of the client. 

Due to societal structures forcing perceived negative characteristics to be suppressed, one goal of Holistic therapy is to make what is unconscious, conscious. This can be achieved through a variety of techniques such as dream analysis, dramatization, dance and movement therapy, poetry, and artwork. All of these techniques, but especially dream analysis, allows for a covert understanding of the client’s subconscious thoughts. At times, clients might not have developed a strong enough relationship with the therapists to feel comfortable being completely honest. Connecting these dreams to waking experiences and vice-versa may provide some insight into authenticity not readily available. Unfortunately because dreams have the potential to be interpreted in many ways, their analysis should be thought of as more a glimpse into surface level thoughts. 

Another technique is to analyze gender, cultural, and power roles being presented by societal structures. To do this, you must first examine the messages being delivered and the positive and negative consequences of those messages.  Once those have been identified, the client’s perceptions and how it is being interpreted must be examined. This analysis can be determined by exploring the statements clients make to themselves based on these gender, cultural, and power messages. After discussing how the client perceives those messages, a choice is then made regarding which messages they want to change, and how they plan to change them. 

A second goal of holistic therapy is empowerment. This goal can be achieved through strengthening your faith in yourself and your abilities. Assertiveness training is a technique that teaches clients how to express themselves in ways that can be beneficial to them as well as with those with whom they interact. Reframing/re-labeling the context in which the client functions is also a useful technique to overcoming the societal pressures. 

Modeling ‘appropriate’ behavior may also be a technique Holistic therapists would want to explore. Modeling can be done either directly, observing a behavior, symbolically, through virtual reality, or through role playing. The most important factor throughout all techniques however, is that the client is relaxed and comfortable during treatment. 

And finally, there is one technique that sets Holistic Therapy apart from any other therapy discussed throughout this semester, which is the setting in which the therapy takes place. The setting in which a session takes place has the potential of enhancing the experience of therapy for the client. The session should take place in a location that is most comfortable for the client, one that will allow them to speak freely. This could be a “favorite” place such as a beach or park, somewhere the client frequents often such as a coffee shop or bookstore, or the session can always happen in the office. Anywhere that the client feels relaxed would be conducive to the therapeutic process. 

Conclusion
Working from multiple perspectives Holistic therapy seeks to integrate therapies that address the entire person; past, present (internal and external factors), and future. Holism looked at the strengths of each originating therapy: Jungian, Feminist, Behavioral, and Existential, as well as examined the weaknesses to create a therapy that encompasses all aspects necessary to assist a person in becoming whole.  Holistic therapy desires to have clients fully experience life by empowering individuals, reducing irrationalities, and alleviating stressors.