What is the holistic approach?
The holistic approach means seeing the person as a whole — close to the biopsychosocial model, in which mental health arises from the interplay of biological, psychological and social factors. Instead of asking only what is wrong, we also ask what contributes to it.
The symptom is not everything
A distressing symptom — insomnia, irritability, low energy, anxiety — is often just the tip. Underneath lie the roots and the maintaining mechanisms: chronic stress, lifestyle, sleep quality, relationships, beliefs about oneself, unrecognised needs. Working only with the symptom can be like silencing an alarm without checking what sets it off.
Body and mind — one system
Body and mind constantly influence each other. The stress response involves the autonomic nervous system and the stress axis; sustained tension affects sleep, digestion, focus and mood. That is why I consider not only thoughts and emotions, but also the body's activation and daily habits — and one aim of the work is better self-regulation, the capacity to return to balance.
Biology first
In a holistic approach we often begin with the body. Before moving to purely psychological work, it is worth putting in order what is happening in the body — because many physical conditions produce symptoms strikingly similar to mental health disorders. Hypothyroidism, for example, can cause low energy, low mood, slowing and difficulty concentrating that are easily mistaken for depression.
Certain deficiencies work in a similar way — for instance vitamin B12 or B6, iron or vitamin D — which can bring fatigue, apathy, irritability or memory problems. Blood-sugar fluctuations, hormonal imbalances or chronic inflammation can also be a quiet backdrop to emotional difficulties. That is why a basic health check — tests ordered by a doctor — can be helpful before we conclude that the source lies in the mind alone. Depending on your symptoms, I can suggest which tests might be worth considering and what could be worth checking, so you can calmly discuss it with your doctor. This is only my recommendation and guidance — the final decision is always yours.
I can support you here: based on the symptoms we discuss, I will suggest which tests may be worth considering and what to check first — so you can come to your doctor with concrete questions. Please treat this as a recommendation and a starting point for that conversation, not a medical order — the decision is always yours, and the tests and their interpretation remain in your doctor\u2019s hands.
This does not mean psychological work matters less — it is about order and foundation. When the biological basics are in place, the mind has more to draw on, and our work together brings more lasting results.
Resources, not only deficits
In a holistic approach we also work with resources — the strengths, relationships, values and protective factors you already have. Strengthening what works is often as important as addressing difficulties, and it supports a sense of agency and self-efficacy.
Forms of support
In practice this can include: psychoeducation (understanding what is happening and why), learning techniques for emotional regulation and stress reduction, elements of mindfulness and body-based work, and guidance on sleep, movement and nutrition. This does not replace medical care; it complements it with a wider view and small, mutually reinforcing changes.
Who it helps most
A whole-person view helps especially when everything feels like too much at once and it is hard to point to a single problem. It helps you order the areas of your life and see where to begin — without the pressure to change everything at once.
Sources and further reading
Marta Adamczyk-Girčys
About me