Mind-Body therapies belong to Mind-Body Medicine -- a safe,
non-invasive, evidenced-based clinical approach for treating chronic
health conditions, including depression. MBM draws on the interplay of
mind, emotions, body, and behavior to promote health and quality of
life. Its philosophical commitment to whole person (holistic) care is
aligned with patient-centered medicine, consumer-driven movements of
self-management and health self-resilience, and positive and humanistic
trends in psychotherapy, which emphasize patient strengths and
resources. ). Although the National Center for Complementary and
Mind-Body Medicine. (NCCAMB) has designated cognitive-behavioral
therapy (CBT) as a CAM modality, MBM principles and interventions have
yet to be systematically integrated into psychotherapy.
Mind-body
therapies include a variety of self-regulation practices such as
meditation, hypnosis, biofeedback, and relaxation-based therapies known
to reduce stress and improve well-being. Depression is one of the
principal health conditions for which people turn to mind/body
modalities. Data from a national health survey found a high use of CAM
for treating emotional distress in adults with self-reported severe
depression and anxiety, particularly adults 65 years and older.
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