What Is Holistic Therapy?

Holistic therapy is an evidence-based approach to psychological treatment that considers the interconnectedness of the mind, body, emotions, behaviour, social environment, and, when appropriate, cultural and spiritual factors. Rather than focusing solely on symptom reduction, holistic therapy seeks to understand the person as a whole — addressing not just presenting concerns, but also underlying patterns and contributing life circumstances.

From a psychological standpoint, holistic therapy at Mithrah is grounded in Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) — a suite of recognised, evidence-based interventions including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness-Based Interventions, psycho-education, and Narrative Therapy. These approaches are endorsed by Australia’s Medicare Better Access initiative and supported by national mental health guidelines.

FPS interventions are time-limited, structured, and skills-based, focusing on building psychological flexibility, emotional regulation, problem-solving capacity, and resilience. Narrative Therapy, in particular, supports individuals in re-authoring the stories they tell about their lives — fostering agency, meaning-making, and identity development — and is integrated in a way that aligns with clinical and cultural best practices.

In addition to FPS, our psychological services incorporate longer-term and intensive therapeutic models designed to support individuals experiencing acute, complex, or severe mental health conditions. These may include trauma-informed approaches, schema therapy, psychodynamic therapy, or structured multidisciplinary care for individuals with chronic mental illness, complex trauma, or recurring crisis episodes.

All psychological interventions are individually tailored, based on comprehensive assessment, client preferences, and clinical best practice. Interventions may be short-term and skills-based or long-term and insight-oriented, depending on clinical indications and therapeutic goals.

Importantly, clients are supported to make informed choices about their care. Each person can select the therapeutic model or combination of supports that best suits their values, needs, and circumstances. For example, if a client wishes to focus solely on psychological interventions, then FPS or extended psychological therapy will be prioritised. The holistic model provides options — clients are never required to engage in all services, only those that are meaningful and appropriate to them.

A holistic approach does not imply the use of alternative or non-scientific treatments. Rather, it reflects a comprehensive, client-centred and evidence-informed model aligned with the biopsychosocial framework, which is widely recognised across clinical psychology, psychiatry, and healthcare.

Research consistently supports that addressing multiple dimensions of an individual’s life — including their mental, physical, emotional, cultural, relational, and environmental contexts — can significantly improve outcomes and support long-term psychological wellbeing.

Integrating Mental Health Social Work and Community Models

At Mithrah, our holistic care model also integrates mental health social work and community mental health frameworks aligned with the professional standards of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). These models support individuals in navigating the social, systemic, and environmental factors that influence mental health.

We utilise evidence-based practice models such as:

• Strengths-Based Social Work – building on the capacities of individuals, families, and communities

• Recovery-Oriented Practice – promoting hope, agency, peer support, and community integration

• Case Management and Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) – for individuals with severe and persistent mental health needs

• Task-Centred Practice – short-term, goal-oriented interventions

• Ecological and Systems Theories – understanding mental health within broader relational, institutional, and cultural contexts

• Crisis Intervention Models – rapid response to acute mental health distress with structured support

These approaches are grounded in ethical, inclusive, and trauma-informed practice principles, ensuring all care is culturally responsive, strengths-based, and accessible.

Supporting Children, Adolescents, and Young People

Children and young people have unique developmental, emotional, and social needs, and our holistic care model reflects this by integrating age-appropriate, culturally informed, and family-inclusive approaches across both psychological and community-based services.

Developmentally Informed Psychological Interventions

Our work with children and adolescents is guided by principles of developmental psychology, attachment theory, and evidence-based child and youth mental health frameworks. Psychological support may include:

• Play Therapy

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Children (CBT-C)

• Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT)

• ACT for Adolescents

• Narrative Therapy

• Emotion Coaching and Regulation Strategies

• Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

These interventions are adapted to the young person’s age, neurodevelopment, family structure, and cultural background. We also support parents, caregivers, and schools to create environments that reinforce and sustain mental health gains.

Integrated Child and Youth Mental Health Models

Community mental health services for children and young people at Mithrah draw from well-established models, including:

• Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Framework

• Family Systems Theory and Family Therapy Approaches

• School-based Mental Health Programmes

• Wraparound Support Models – coordinated, family-driven planning and service delivery

• Protective Behaviours and Resilience-Based Education

• Developmental Trauma Frameworks

These services emphasise early intervention, prevention, peer and family engagement, and multidisciplinary collaboration across education, health, and social care sectors.

Our aim is to help young people:

• Strengthen identity and self-esteem

• Improve emotional regulation and coping

• Navigate transitions (e.g. school changes, family disruption, peer issues)

• Reduce the impact of trauma or adverse childhood experiences

• Build safe, trusting relationships and social supports

All interventions are delivered in partnership with families, schools, and other relevant supports, ensuring that care is collaborative, coordinated, and responsive to each young person’s real-world environment.

Our Services

At Mithrah, our holistic care model spans a comprehensive range of evidence-based psychological and community support services, designed to meet the diverse needs of individuals, families, and communities. All services are delivered in alignment with national health priorities and clinical governance standards, including:

• AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency)

• Medicare Australia through the Better Access initiative

• National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards

• Relevant state and federal mental health and disability legislation

Each service is grounded in established evidence-based frameworks and delivered by qualified, registered professionals, ensuring ethical, safe, and person-centred care.

Psychological services for individuals, families, and groups

• Delivered using Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS), including CBT, ACT, IPT, Narrative Therapy, and psychoeducation

• Also includes longer-term and intensive therapy for complex or severe mental health presentations

• Psychological assessments and formal reports (e.g. cognitive, behavioural, developmental, risk or functional assessments)

• Reports for schools, workplaces, NDIS planning, legal matters, and multidisciplinary care

• Formulation and treatment planning informed by clinical diagnosis and individual goals

• Ongoing therapy and intervention tailored to presenting concerns and informed by assessment outcomes

Crisis counselling

• Short-term, trauma-informed counselling for acute distress, crisis events, bereavement, or significant life disruptions

• Supports emotional regulation, stabilisation, and linkage to ongoing care where needed

Community mental health programmes

• Group and individual interventions to promote resilience, emotional wellbeing, and social connection

• Draws on public health, community development, and strengths-based mental health models

Mental health social work services

• Psychosocial support, case coordination, advocacy, and system navigation

• Addresses social determinants of health including housing, poverty, discrimination, and family violence

• Delivered within state mental health Acts, Medicare guidelines, and trauma-informed frameworks

Children’s and adolescent mental health services

• Developmentally appropriate therapy for emotional, social, and behavioural issues

• Incorporates family systems theory, school collaboration, and trauma-informed early intervention

• Designed to engage children, adolescents, parents, and educators in culturally responsive ways

Behaviour support services

• Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) for individuals experiencing behavioural challenges

• Functional behaviour assessments, intervention planning, and monitoring aligned with NDIS Quality and Safeguards Framework

• Focuses on improving safety, independence, communication, and quality of life

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

• Confidential mental health and wellbeing support for employees and employers

• Includes brief counselling, work-related stress management, and organisational wellbeing initiatives

Student counselling services

• Mental health and academic wellbeing support for primary, secondary, and tertiary students

• Addresses stress, peer issues, anxiety, adjustment, and learning-related mental health needs

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

• Reflective supervision and training for registered mental health professionals

• Are aimed to aligning with AHPRA CPD requirements, trauma-informed care, cultural safety, and ethical best practice

• Supports sustained clinical capability, integrity, and workforce wellbeing

Meeting People Where They Are

Our integrated model enables us to meet people where they are — whether experiencing crisis, managing chronic mental health conditions, navigating life transitions, or striving toward personal development. Services are delivered with dignity, cultural humility, and clinical excellence, and are grounded in ethical practice and regulatory compliance.

At Mithrah, holistic therapy is not a fixed formula — it is a flexible, evidence-informed, and person-led approach to mental health and wellbeing.