Beyond survivorship: Achieving a harmonious dynamic equilibrium using a Chinese medicine framework in health and mental health

Abstract

In working with clients who are experiencing major difficulties in life, the more traditional, psychopathology-oriented approach is often content with symptom reduction and adaptive functioning. This article proposes that therapists can aim higher, going beyond survivorship. Inspired by Chinese medicine's holistic model, the authors develop the Eastern body-mind-spirit approach with the primary therapy goal being the facilitation of harmonious dynamic equilibrium within oneself, as well as between oneself and the natural and social environment. To achieve that, multimodal interventions are employed, including vitalizing body work, such as simplified Tai Chi and Qigong exercises, acupressure, body scan, breathing meditation, and mindful tea drinking and eating, as well as vibrant mind and spirit process, such as the acknowledgement and acceptance of impermanence and unpredictability, regaining self-control by letting go of control, the appreciation and affirmation of life, the fostering of loving kindness and forgiveness. The spiral application of these multimodal interventions activates the interconnected body-mind-spirit systems to rebalance among themselves and arrive at a new harmonious dynamic equilibrium. The benefits of the approach are multidimensionala multimodal approach can access and engage more clients; its focus on strength can avoid over-elaborated psychopathology treatment; and transformed clients are change catalysts, both inside and outside the therapeutic group.