Focuses on how biological, psychological, and social factors influence physical and mental health. Emphasizing the connection between mind and body in overall well-being. Pioneers such as George Engel, who developed the biopsychosocial model, and Shelley Taylor, known for her work on health-related behaviors and stress, have shaped the field. Engel’s biopsychosocial model expanded the understanding of health beyond the purely medical, proposing that psychological and social dimensions are equally important in disease prevention and management. Taylor's research on stress and coping mechanisms further illuminated the psychological factors influencing physical health.

Health psychology is particularly relevant as it aligns with the integrative approach that views the individual as a whole, addressing mental, emotional, and physical health simultaneously. This field influences modern psychology by encouraging the incorporation of lifestyle factors, stress management, and emotional well-being into a counseling practice, ultimately promoting a more comprehensive view of health that supports both physical and psychological healing. Fostering a more integrated approach to wellness.

Influential in shaping psychology, humanistic theories proposed by Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow stress the importance of self-actualization and personal growth. Holistic counseling shares this belief in an individual's innate drive toward well-being and sees mental health as a path to realizing one's potential.

Founded by Fritz Perls, Gestalt therapy emphasizes awareness and the integration of fragmented parts of the self into a coherent whole. This aligns with holistic counseling’s focus on unifying mind, body, and spirit, and being present with one’s thoughts and emotions.

One of the interventions used in this approach is called focusing. Focusing, an evidence-based self-reflection practice that helps explore the connection between physical sensations and emotions. Focusing involves tapping into what’s known as the “felt sense,” a subtle, often vague feeling in the body that holds emotional meaning. By gently bringing attention to these sensations, clients can identify and process emotions that may not yet be fully clear. This practice fosters a deeper awareness of the self, allowing clients to better understand and navigate their emotions and physical sensations, leading to greater clarity and inner balance.

Contemplative psychology, grounded in Buddhist philosophical traditions, teaches that at the core of human experience is an inherent goodness, which can be cultivated through mindfulness and compassion, fostering inner peace and resilience.

Contemplative psychology, becomes a vehicle for integrating this wisdom into a practice. It encourages self-reflection, meditation, and awareness as tools for emotional regulation and self-discovery, aiming not just to alleviate suffering but to elevate consciousness.

In holistic counseling, contemplative psychology offers a framework for understanding clients as multi-dimensional beings, where mental health is deeply intertwined with spiritual and emotional dimensions. This philosophical integration reshapes traditional psychological models by embracing a more expansive view of healing, and recognizes the transformative potential of aligning with deeper truths.

Daniel Siegel's work has profoundly shaped holistic counseling by emphasizing the role of brain function, particularly the prefrontal cortex, in emotional regulation. His "Wheel of Awareness" model illustrates how mindfulness practices enhance prefrontal cortex integration, improving abilities like emotional balance, impulse control, and empathy. Siegel’s concept of "mindsight," the capacity to observe and understand both one's own mind and the minds of others, further strengthens emotional regulation and relational awareness.

By focusing on strengthening the brain’s capacity for emotional regulation, Siegel's work provides a biological foundation for more effective, compassionate therapeutic practices that promote overall well-being.

(IFS), developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz is a therapeutic model that views the mind as composed of multiple subpersonalities, or "parts," each with its own unique feelings, beliefs, and behaviors. IFS posits that these parts, which can be protective, wounded, or exiled, operate in a system within the psyche, and healing comes through fostering harmony among them. At the core of this system is the "Self," an inherently compassionate and wise presence that can guide the internal parts toward balance and integration.

In holistic counseling, IFS is highly relevant because it aligns with the integrative view of individuals as multifaceted beings whose emotional, psychological, and relational experiences are interconnected. By addressing the various parts of the self, holistic counselors help clients achieve internal coherence and emotional healing. IFS also influences psychology by offering a non-pathologizing approach to mental health, encouraging self-compassion and understanding of internal conflict, which promotes greater emotional resilience and personal growth. This model supports a holistic understanding of the mind, where healing comes from within and is facilitated by the inherent wisdom of the Self.