Mental health recovery is not just about managing symptoms—it’s about healing the whole person. While evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) remain foundational to treatment, there is a growing recognition of the importance of holistic therapies like yoga, mindfulness, breathwork, and meditation in improving emotional regulation, reducing stress, and fostering inner resilience. At Trinity Behavioral Health, the IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) embraces this integrative approach to care, offering holistic therapies alongside traditional clinical modalities to provide a well-rounded and empowering recovery experience.
Whether someone is recovering from trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, or a co-occurring condition, incorporating holistic practices can accelerate healing and help patients connect with themselves in meaningful ways. This article explores how Trinity Behavioral Health’s IOP integrates holistic therapies like yoga and mindfulness, why they matter, and what patients can expect when choosing this comprehensive treatment path.
What Are Holistic Therapies in Mental Health Treatment?
Holistic therapies refer to non-clinical, complementary approaches that address the mind, body, and spirit. These therapies are not designed to replace traditional treatment but to enhance it by supporting emotional balance, physical relaxation, and personal insight.
Examples of holistic therapies include:
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Yoga therapy
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Mindfulness meditation
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Guided visualization
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Breathwork (pranayama)
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Art therapy and expressive movement
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Nutritional counseling
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Aromatherapy or sound healing
These methods are particularly effective for individuals who struggle with chronic stress, trauma, emotional dysregulation, and somatic symptoms that aren’t always addressed through talk therapy alone.
Why Trinity Behavioral Health Incorporates Holistic Therapies in Its IOP
At Trinity Behavioral Health, the IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) is designed to go beyond symptom management and foster total wellness. Incorporating holistic therapies is part of this mission. There are several key reasons for integrating these methods into the clinical framework:
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Enhances emotional self-regulation through breath and body awareness
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Reduces physiological stress responses, such as heart rate and cortisol levels
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Improves focus and cognitive flexibility, especially in those with anxiety or trauma histories
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Encourages embodiment and reconnection with the physical self
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Builds self-compassion and mindfulness, reducing internal criticism
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Supports nervous system regulation, essential for trauma survivors
The integration of holistic practices with evidence-based therapy creates a synergistic effect that supports lasting recovery.
Yoga in the IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) at Trinity Behavioral Health
What Is Yoga Therapy?
Yoga therapy in a clinical setting involves guided physical postures (asanas), breathing exercises, and meditation techniques that are specifically chosen to support mental wellness. It is not about physical fitness, but rather about using the body as a tool for emotional healing.
How It’s Delivered
At Trinity Behavioral Health, yoga is offered in group sessions and occasionally as an individual session depending on the client’s needs. The program employs trauma-informed yoga instructors who understand the unique sensitivities of mental health clients.
Sessions are gentle, accessible to all body types, and emphasize:
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Grounding
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Somatic awareness
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Nervous system regulation
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Body autonomy and safety
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Non-judgmental presence
Clients are never pushed beyond their limits, and all movements are optional. This makes yoga an empowering tool for trauma survivors and those recovering from eating disorders, dissociation, or anxiety.
Mindfulness in the IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program)
What Is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the practice of paying nonjudgmental attention to the present moment, often through breath awareness, body scans, or guided meditations. It cultivates awareness, emotional regulation, and acceptance of one’s inner experiences.
How It’s Practiced at Trinity Behavioral Health
Trinity integrates mindfulness into both standalone sessions and clinical therapy. For example:
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Daily mindfulness meditations begin or end group therapy
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Therapists incorporate mindfulness into CBT and DBT sessions
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Clients are taught to pause and check in with their internal state before reacting
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Mindfulness homework may include journaling or self-reflection
The goal is to develop a skill that can be used outside of therapy, in real-life moments of stress, conflict, or dysregulation.
Other Holistic Offerings in the IOP
In addition to yoga and mindfulness, Trinity Behavioral Health’s IOP provides access to a variety of holistic services that may include:
Art Therapy
Facilitated by trained expressive arts therapists, art therapy helps clients process emotions, trauma, and memories that may be difficult to articulate verbally. It’s not about artistic skill—it’s about emotional expression and insight.
Guided Visualization and Breathwork
Clients are taught to use the breath to shift their mood, energy, or focus. Visualization exercises help them imagine calm, safe places, future goals, or past healing experiences, which can be grounding during distress.
Movement and Somatic Therapy
These sessions allow clients to release physical tension and explore how trauma lives in the body. Movement therapy supports a bottom-up approach to healing, which complements talk therapy.
Nutritional and Lifestyle Education
Clients may receive psychoeducation on how diet, sleep, and hydration impact mental health, and how mindful eating and gentle nutrition can support recovery.
Integration with Traditional Therapies
One of the unique features of Trinity Behavioral Health’s IOP is how holistic therapies are integrated rather than separated from core clinical treatment.
For instance:
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A client learning emotion regulation in DBT may also use yoga for nervous system grounding
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A trauma survivor engaging in EMDR may use breathwork before sessions to stay within their window of tolerance
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Clients in relapse prevention groups may practice mindfulness to navigate cravings
This fusion creates a comprehensive therapeutic ecosystem, where the body and mind are treated as a whole.
Accessibility and Inclusivity
Holistic therapies in the IOP are designed to be inclusive and adaptable. Trinity Behavioral Health ensures:
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Sessions are trauma-informed
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Practices are accessible for clients with physical limitations
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Cultural sensitivity is applied (e.g., secular mindfulness practices for those with religious concerns)
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Clients can opt out or modify activities without judgment
This flexibility ensures that all clients feel safe and supported.
Clinical Evidence Supporting Holistic Therapies
The integration of holistic therapies is backed by research:
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Yoga has been shown to reduce cortisol, improve mood, and decrease PTSD symptoms
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Mindfulness meditation can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and insomnia
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Breathwork improves parasympathetic nervous system functioning and reduces emotional reactivity
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Expressive arts therapy aids in trauma processing and emotional expression
Trinity Behavioral Health ensures that all holistic offerings are evidence-based and clinically relevant.
Who Can Benefit Most from Holistic Therapies?
While all clients can benefit, holistic modalities are especially effective for those dealing with:
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Trauma and PTSD
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Anxiety and panic disorders
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Depression with somatic symptoms
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Substance use recovery
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Disordered eating or body image issues
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High emotional sensitivity or dissociation
These therapies help bridge the gap between mind and body, allowing for deeper, embodied healing.
Staff Qualifications for Holistic Services
Trinity ensures that all holistic therapy providers are:
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Certified yoga instructors, often with trauma-informed or clinical yoga credentials
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Licensed art or expressive therapists
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Clinicians trained in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
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Trauma-informed facilitators with sensitivity to body autonomy
This maintains a safe and clinically responsible environment for all clients.
Conclusion
Holistic therapies are no longer considered “alternative”—they are now essential pillars of modern mental health treatment. At Trinity Behavioral Health, the IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) fully embraces the healing power of practices like yoga, mindfulness, expressive arts, and somatic movement.
By offering these services alongside traditional talk therapy, Trinity provides a whole-person approach that nurtures body, mind, and spirit. Clients are empowered to reconnect with themselves, build emotional resilience, and create daily rituals of self-care that extend far beyond the clinical setting.
The result is a deeply transformative experience—one that promotes sustainable recovery, inner strength, and a renewed sense of purpose. In a world that often emphasizes productivity over presence, Trinity’s IOP offers something revolutionary: a chance to simply be, to breathe, and to heal in community.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are yoga and mindfulness required in the IOP?
No, participation in holistic therapies is optional. Clients can choose the modalities that align with their comfort level and treatment goals.
2. Do holistic services cost extra in the IOP program?
No, holistic services like yoga and mindfulness are included in the comprehensive IOP care at no additional cost.
3. What if I’ve never done yoga or meditation before?
No experience is necessary. Sessions are beginner-friendly, trauma-informed, and guided with supportive instruction.
4. Are holistic therapies available virtually in the IOP?
Yes, Trinity offers some holistic sessions through secure telehealth platforms for clients participating in the virtual IOP program.
5. How do holistic therapies fit into my overall treatment plan?
Your therapist and clinical team will help you integrate holistic practices into your broader goals, ensuring a personalized and cohesive recovery journey.
Read: Can family members be involved in the treatment process during Trinity Behavioral Health’s IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program)?
Read: What outcomes or success rates does Trinity Behavioral Health report for its IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) participants?