Therapeutic consultation
What is meant by the term “therapeutic consultation?”
While it’s a vague enough term to cover just about any healing modality, it does mean something specific at Bodymind Counseling. Beyond the confines of “mental health counseling,” which I practice as a Washington State licensed mental health counselor (LMHC), I also provide information about the various forms healthcare available in today’s massive market of healing modalities for mind and body. So “therapeutic consultation” means you can “consult” with me about the various “therapies” available to you—traditional allopathy and “complementary” medicine.
I can help you navigate the healthcare system in your search for what is right for you when presented with a healthcare crisis, such as a cancer diagnosis. Sometimes, it is much easier to talk through your options and fears with an objective third party. Some who is not a close friend or family member who has their own agenda for you. After having navigated two major diagnoses myself, I am happy to share my wisdom and experience.
A patient’s options in her search to regain her health are not just traditional allopathic medicine with its complex yet narrow system of physicians, hospitals, clinics and specialists. Though I am glad to help you navigate it, there is an array of effective modalities that can supplement, support and provide effective treatment beyond the MD’s office or surgical unit. Sadly, most docs know little (or nothing) about the various complementary healing modalities and some of what they know is incorrect.
While some allopaths acknowledge the amazing effectiveness of homeopathic medicine or probiotic protocols, for example, they simply don’t have the time to learn more. Hence the dearth of referrals to practitioners outside the confines of their high-cost insurance-constrained system. And due to the nature of how insurance works, most companies can’t start paying until you are next to death’s door. You only get help if it’s critical. People need access to more preventative modalities so their health doesn’t become critical and to be able to explore their options when confronted with a crisis and/or during recovery.
Over the last 28 years (during which time I fought for and regained my mental and physical health), I researched, explored and partook of many of the complementary forms of healthcare such as naturopathy, homeopathy, Bach Flower Remedies, chiropractic, therapeutic massage, Therapeutic Touch (TT), sound healing, acupuncture, Chinese herbal remedies, Feldenkrais, Rolfing, Diamond Approach, BEINGnBALANCE and others. The reason I traveled this route was not out of curiosity or perversity, but because allopathic medicine had failed me in some areas, and then provided no options to pursue. I could not give up, accept my poor health and the difficult side effects of pharmaceuticals, so off I trudged to explore various options. When using allopathic medicine, I learned it can be overzealous or surprisingly under informed. I learned what is helpful and necessary in its methods and what may not be.
I would be more than happy to help you navigate the allopathic system and consult with you about complementary offerings, so you can make more informed decisions about your healthcare with knowledge of a larger range of options. I’m certainly not saying to not follow your doctor(s)’s advice. I am saying understanding this advice can be confusing and that there are other modalities out there that may also help.
