Holistic & Nutritional Approaches to Treating Psychological Disorders

As the old mind/body dichotomy continues to dissolve, psychotherapists are becoming increasingly aware that diagnosing and treating mental disorders requires a broader perspective than DSM and many graduate courses present. Common disorders such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders, ADHD and many others (if not all of them) are intertwined with physical symptoms and even physical causes. Treatment for these disorders can benefit greatly from a complementary-holistic perspective that takes into account such factors as diet, nutrition, and exercise.

This introductory level course consists of 4 podcasts with text transcripts and presents information and a complementary-holistic perspective on diagnosis and treatment from several psychologist- and psychiatrist-naturopaths. The first two interviews are with psychoanalyst naturopath Stephen Ducat, NP, PhD, and naturopathic doctor Jonathan Prousky, ND, MSc, who present an overview of the naturopathic/psychotherapeutic approach and introduce key concepts. The final two interviews are with psychiatrist and psycho-endocrinologist Robert Hedaya, MD, and integrative medicine psychiatrist James Greenblatt, MD, who explore the relationship between common psychological disorders, nutrition and digestive processes. Additional resources and references are provided for further study, but they are not part of the course.