Blog: Thoughts, Feelings, and the Body

Thoughts, Feelings, and the Body: A Holistic Approach to Healing

In the world of therapy, different approaches can focus on different aspects of the human experience. Some prioritise thoughts and cognition, others emphasise emotions, and some centre on the body. Yet, no matter the orientation, we are always working with a whole system—mind, body, and emotions are deeply interconnected. True integration happens when we recognise and engage with this complexity, rather than focusing on one element in isolation.

Different Approaches, Different Priorities

• Cognitive Approaches: The Power of Thought
  Cognitive-behavioural therapies (CBT, REBT) focus on the way thoughts shape emotions and behaviours. The premise is that by identifying and shifting unhelpful thinking patterns, we can change the way we feel and act. While this can be highly effective, particularly for anxiety and depression, it may overlook the deeper emotional or somatic roots of distress.

• Psychodynamic Therapy: The Depths of Emotion and the Unconscious
  Psychodynamic and psychoanalytic approaches prioritise the exploration of unconscious processes, early experiences, and relational patterns. These therapies help individuals understand how past experiences shape present difficulties. While emotions and relational patterns are central, traditional psychodynamic work has often overlooked the role of the body in holding and processing trauma.

• Somatic Therapies: The Wisdom of the Body
  Somatic therapies, including sensorimotor psychotherapy, somatic experiencing, and body-based mindfulness practices, emphasise the role of bodily sensations and nervous system regulation in healing. Trauma, for example, is not just a psychological wound; it is also stored in the body. By working directly with physical sensations, movement, and breath, somatic therapies help release stored tension and restore a sense of safety.

• Humanistic and Existential Therapy: The Whole Person
  Person-centred, Gestalt and existential therapies emphasise self-awareness, authenticity, and meaning. These approaches focus on the client’s lived experience in the present moment, often integrating the cognitive, emotional, and bodily aspects of being. Some Gestalt techniques, for example, use movement and role-play to engage with different parts of the self.

The Whole System: Integration for Lasting Change

While each therapeutic model has its strengths, a truly holistic approach acknowledges that thoughts, emotions, and the body are inseparable. Healing does not happen in the mind alone, nor can it be found purely through bodily awareness or emotional exploration. Instead, transformation occurs when we integrate all aspects of experience.

For example, a person with anxiety may work cognitively to challenge intrusive thoughts, while also exploring their emotional roots through psychodynamic work. At the same time, somatic techniques can help regulate the nervous system, providing a direct way to address physical symptoms of anxiety such as tension or breathlessness.

Practical Steps Toward a Holistic Approach

1. Bringing the Body into Awareness
   Rather than seeing the body as separate from psychological experience, we can learn to tune into bodily sensations as sources of insight. Simple practices such as breath awareness, grounding exercises, and mindful movement such as yoga  can enhance emotional regulation.

2. Recognising Emotional Patterns
   Understanding recurring emotional responses, particularly those rooted in past experiences, can help shift ingrained patterns. Journaling, reflective dialogue, or creative expression can facilitate this process.

3. Challenging Unhelpful Thoughts
   Recognising limiting beliefs and reframing them can support a healthier internal dialogue. However, this cognitive work is most effective when combined with deeper emotional and bodily awareness.

4. Engaging with Relationships
   Since much of our emotional wounding happens in relationships, healing is often a relational process. Therapy provides a space to explore relational dynamics and develop healthier ways of connecting with others in a safe way.

5. Developing a Personalised Approach
   Each person’s journey is unique. Some may find that body-based practices like yoga or dance are essential to their healing, while others may benefit most from deep emotional exploration or cognitive restructuring. The key is to find what works for the individual.

Therapeutic orientations may prioritise different areas, but ultimately, we are working with a whole system. Thoughts, emotions, and the body are interconnected, and a truly holistic approach to healing must honour this complexity. By integrating different elements, therapy can support deep and lasting transformation—helping individuals not just to cope, but to thrive.

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