Holistic Healing
What is Holistic Healing?
Holistic healing therapy is a wellness approach that considers the mind, body, and spirit as interconnected. Instead of focusing solely on symptoms, holistic healing addresses the root causes of discomfort and imbalance from a different perspective. This approach combines several different healing modalities—including mindfulness, movement, energy work, and psychotherapy—to promote overall well-being. At DBT of South Jersey, we believe that an approach to wellness, recovery and healing should not be limited to one modality.
An Environment to Promote Healing
The DBT of South Jersey Voorhees location has its own private yoga studio. Our beautiful space was created with the intention of creating an environment that feels peaceful and safe. Our workshops adhere to trauma-informed guidelines and are often facilitated by therapists with additional training in the holistic healing realm. Our goal is for this space to provide a nurturing environment to help clients establish emotional balance and personal growth. We offer clients the following holistic options to complement traditional counseling approaches and assist individuals in achieving deeper levels of healing.
Reiki Healing at DBT of South Jersey
If you’re seeking something to complement traditional therapy or have yet to find the peace and balance you desire, Reiki may be the answer. This gentle yet profoundly effective practice works with your body’s natural energy to promote healing, relaxation, and renewal.
At DBT of South Jersey, our skilled Reiki practitioners offer 1:1 sessions designed to meet your individual needs. Whether you’re navigating emotional challenges, feeling energetically blocked, or looking to deepen your overall well-being, Reiki can provide a nurturing, non-invasive space for growth and transformation. As a standalone approach or alongside therapy, Reiki can enhance your journey toward a more balanced and harmonious life. Step into a space where energy flows freely, and healing happens naturally.
What is Reiki Healing?
Reiki is a very gentle type of energy work that has deeply felt balancing effects in the body and mind. Reiki is a method of healing founded by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui in 1922.
The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words:
– Rei, which means “God’s Wisdom or the Higher Power”
– Ki, which means “life force energy”
Together, Reiki means “spiritually guided life force energy.”
The energy is channeled through the hands of the practitioner and guides, adjusts, and attunes the energy of the client so as to be in a more balanced, nourished state.
Reiki healing is based on the concept that energy imbalances in the body contribute to emotional and physical distress. Reiki can be applied hands-on or off, at the choice of each person. By facilitating energy flow, Reiki aims to support the body’s natural healing processes.
Clinically, Reiki is often used as a stress reduction technique that may assist in managing anxiety, chronic pain, and overall well-being. Studies suggest that Reiki sessions can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, leading to reduced heart rate, lower blood pressure, and decreased cortisol levels. While research on its physiological effects is ongoing, some findings indicate potential benefits such as improved sleep, pain relief, and enhanced mood regulation.
Reiki is increasingly offered in integrative medicine settings, including hospitals, palliative care, and mental health programs, as a complementary approach alongside conventional treatments. Although it is not a replacement for medical care, many practitioners and patients report subjective improvements in relaxation and emotional resilience following sessions.
1:1 Reiki healing sessions can help individuals who are struggling with:
- Anxiety
- Grief
- Depression
- Chronic pain
- Stress
- Adrenal fatigue
- Trouble sleeping
- Trauma
- Feeling ungrounded, scattered, stuck, or sluggish
- Dissolves energy blocks
- Increases energy levels
- Clears the mind and improves focus
- Supports the immune system
- Aids better sleep
- Reduces blood pressure
- Helps relieve pain
- Instant stress relief
- Supports adrenals
- Assists the body in detoxification
- Facilitates creativity
- Helps spiritual growth and emotional cleansing
- Promotes natural balance between mind, body, and spirit
Cost, Frequency & Availability
- 1 hour is the typical length of a 1:1 Reiki session, but can be extended up to 3 hours.
- Rates for Reiki sessions are based on the individual therapist’s session rates and, as such, vary.
- The frequency of sessions will depend on each individual.
- Your practitioner will assess the energy body of each individual and give a recommendation—such as weekly, monthly, and so on. However, it will always be up to what the individual feels meets their needs best.
To make a Reiki appointment, book a call with our Intake Coordinator and request a Reiki session in order to get started.
Meet Your Practitioners
Ashley Fritz, LAC
Madison Rubino, Intern
Mary Evers, LCSW
What is a Reiki session like?
A typical Reiki session generally is scheduled for one hour, though can be extended.
Typically, there is calming music playing in the room. After a warm welcome and orientation, the client may take whatever posture is most relaxed and comfortable for them – be it seated or laying down.
The practitioner typically does not speak during the session, as she will be tracking energy in the body and paying attention to where healing is needed. However, the individual is always free to talk, ask questions and share – and the practitioner will warmly respond and answer any questions. The client may also request water or a blanket – (clients can feel cold or hot during sessions depending on what they need.) Reiki can be administered hands on or off, at the preference of the client, and clients are always free to ask the practitioner to pause or stop at any time.
Practitioners may use incense, oils, tuning forks or musical instruments during sessions, but always with the permission of the client, making sure the scents and sounds would enhance, not detract from the experience.
Cost, Frequency & Availability:
Rates for Reiki sessions at DBT of South Jersey are the same rate for 1:1 therapy.
The frequency of sessions will depend on each individual. Your practitioner will assess the energy body of each individual and give a recommendation – such as weekly, monthly and so on. However, it will always be up to what the individual feels meets their needs best.
Yoga at DBT of South Jersey
Why Yoga at a Counseling Center?
More and more research is showing the positive impact of a yoga and mindfulness practice on recovery from depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This makes yoga an excellent holistic option and often a missing piece for those working on healing the mind-body connection.
Many therapy modalities are top-down approaches, meaning they address mainly the cognitive piece (targeting the mind) in healing, but miss the remainder of the person. We have often heard clients recovering from PTSD say, “I know it isn’t real now, but it still feels that way.” This is where therapy can sometimes fail clients, and yoga comes in as a necessary resource for whole person healing.
Trauma, depression, addiction, and many other struggles can put a deep strain on the relationship between a person and their own body. Some begin to resent or even hate the very body they are living in, making it feel impossible to recover from the symptoms that are keeping them in that dark place. For many, this dark cycle leads to hopelessness that can feel unending.
The definition of yoga in simple terms means union, with a goal being to unite the self from a place of compassion and understanding. This is why yoga at our practice can help. Research has also shown that part of how we feel emotionally is triggered by our facial expressions and body postures. Our bodies communicate how we are feeling to our brain, so by changing our body, we can influence our emotional state.
For example, feeling calm while your body is tensed is unlikely. Therefore, letting go of tension is an opposite action practice that will allow anxiety to decrease while feelings of calm or peace begin to surface.
Yoga can be a wonderful first step for those experiencing difficulty with developing a meditation practice, as yoga is a moving mindfulness practice. Though it is not all sitting in silence, yoga can help develop the same “mindfulness muscle” in our brains.
Private Yoga Classes
Private yoga classes offer an opportunity for you to receive individual guidance, direction, safety, and support for your yoga practice.
Teachers are able to fine-tune the class to your needs based on your history, abilities, and goals. An open dialogue allows for asking questions and getting feedback in real time.
Whether you feel apprehensive about joining a group class, want to cultivate a therapeutic yoga practice, or simply want personalized services, private instruction is a great option!
Holistic healing therapy is an approach to wellness that looks beyond symptoms and diagnoses and focuses on the whole person. It recognizes that physical health, mental well-being, emotional balance, and even spiritual fulfillment are all interconnected. If one area is out of sync, it can ripple across all aspects of life. Holistic healing is about restoring balance with a combination of therapeutic techniques, lifestyle adjustments, and for some, spiritual/energetic practices. The goal is to create lasting well-being by addressing root causes instead of just managing surface-level issues.
Holistic healing is highly personalized, drawing from a range of practices to support well-being from multiple angles. Some of the most commonly used techniques are:
- Mind-Body Practices: Meditation, yoga, tai chi, breath work, and guided visualization all help regulate stress, calm the nervous system, and improve emotional resilience.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is one of the few traditional therapeutic modalities that incorporates mindfulness, breath work, meditation, and aspects of spirituality into its framework to achieve a holistic approach.
- Energy Healing: Practices like Reiki, sound therapy, and chakra balancing work with the body’s energy fields to promote relaxation, emotional clarity, and stress relief.
- Creative Therapies: Art, music, dance, and journaling can be powerful tools for emotional processing, self-expression, and personal growth, especially in trauma recovery.
- Nature-Based Healing: Grounding (walking barefoot outdoors), forest bathing, and exposure to natural light can improve mood, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being.
- Holistic Talk Therapy: Some therapists integrate mindfulness, somatic practices (body-based awareness), or spiritual exploration into traditional therapy to support healing on multiple levels.
These techniques aren’t necessarily separate! Many people blend several approaches to create a holistic healing practice that aligns with their unique needs.
Holistic healing isn’t about changing your life overnight, it’s about making intentional, realistic changes that add up over time. Here’s where to start:
- Assess Your Lifestyle: Take a step back and evaluate your health, emotions, daily habits, and stress levels. Where do you feel off balance?
- Incorporate Mindfulness: Whether it’s meditation, deep breathing, or just being more present in daily activities, mindfulness is about living life with your eyes open.
- Move in a Way That Feels Good: Exercise doesn’t have to be intense to be effective. Softer movement like yoga, stretching, or regular walks can have profound benefits.
- Prioritize Nourishment: Eating more whole, nutrient-dense foods and staying hydrated may seem simple, but these foundational habits have a huge impact on energy and mood!
- Have Support: Whether it’s a therapist, acupuncturist, nutritionist, or energy healer, working with a professional can provide personalized guidance.
- Strengthen Social Connections: Meaningful relationships are a key pillar of well-being. Prioritizing supportive, healthy connections can make a big difference.
- Explore Creativity or Spirituality: Engaging in creative expression or spiritual practices (in whatever form that looks like for you) can bring a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Ultimately, healing holistically is about developing self-awareness and making choices that genuinely support your well-being as a whole.
Reiki affects everyone differently, but most people report feeling deeply relaxed, lighter, or more at ease. Some people experience sensations like warmth, tingling, or even emotional releases during the session. Others notice improvements in pain levels, sleep quality, or overall mood in the hours or days following the session. While Reiki is widely used as a complementary therapy, scientific research many people find it beneficial, particularly for stress reduction, emotional clarity, and general well-being.
The duration of Reiki’s effects is different for everyone! Some feel an immediate sense of calm that lasts for a few hours, while others experience ongoing benefits for several days or even weeks. The more consistently someone engages with Reiki, the more sustained the effects tend to be. It’s similar to other holistic practices; regular sessions often lead to deeper, more lasting results.
What are the seven holistic approaches to health?
A truly holistic perspective on health includes several different dimensions of well-being, rather than just physical health alone. These are the seven key areas:
- Physical Health: Movement, nutrition, rest, and overall body care.
- Emotional Health: Processing emotions in a healthy way and developing emotional resilience.
- Social Health: Cultivating strong, supportive relationships and meaningful connections.
- Spiritual Health: Finding purpose, whether through religion, personal beliefs, or a sense of connection to something greater.
- Intellectual Health: Putting effort into learning, creativity, and personal growth.
- Environmental Health: Creating a healthy, sustainable living and working space.
- Occupational Health: Finding fulfillment, balance, and purpose in your work or daily activities.
When all of these areas are considered together, they contribute to a well-rounded, holistic sense of well-being.
Honestly, just about anyone. But holistic therapy is particularly beneficial for those who:
- Experience chronic stress, anxiety, or burnout
- Struggle with depression or emotional regulation
- Have unresolved trauma or emotional blockages
- Live with chronic pain, autoimmune conditions, or other persistent health issues
- Want to deepen their self-awareness and personal growth
It’s also a great fit for people who feel like traditional therapy alone isn’t fully addressing their needs and want a more integrative approach to healing.
Traditional therapy, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), focuses primarily on mental and emotional health, using specific techniques to treat disorders such as anxiety, depression, or past trauma. While this approach is highly effective, it typically doesn’t account for the ways physical health, energy balance, and lifestyle factors influence mental well-being. Holistic therapy, on the other hand, treats emotional health as just one piece of the puzzle. It integrates various healing modalities, like mindfulness, nutrition, movement, and even energy work, because mental health is deeply connected to physical and spiritual health. It is a comprehensive, whole-person approach to healing.
