BEHAVIORAL HOLISTIC HEALTH PRACTITIONER
A certified holistic-integrative health care specialist, as defined by the American Institute of Health Care Professionals, Inc, is a previously licensed or certified health care professional who has achieved a high level of education, knowledge and skills in the following areas;
- Holistic-integrative theories, concepts and models of practice,
- Is currently licensed as a health care professional and/ or behavioral healthcare professional
- Has attained education beyond preparatory licensing for the practice of integrating holistic-integrative health care practices and modalities.
- Has a strong knowledge in behavioral sciences, mental health, and the counseling fields
- Has a strong interest in assisting clients in mental health and wellness from a holistic model of care
There is an emphasis placed on a holistic approach to care delivery from a “mind-body-spirit” framework. Emphasis is also on educating clients regarding alternative and complimentary modalities and approaches to overall mental and emotional health to facilitate healthy change and desired behaviors. The Behavioral Holistic Health Practitioner utilizes a variety of modalities and strategies to help facilitate behavioral change in the client. This stems from an understanding of the brain and nervous system as well as various herbs and supplements that naturally relieve certain emotions and behaviors. In addition, the practitioner is able to guide the client to various other natural diets, herbs, exercises, meditations, or positive coping mechanisms to produce behavioral and healthy change. We support that this program and certification is “foundational” to the development of an expanding practice in which varied alternative care modalities are used by the Certified and licensed professionals.
At this time, we provide a full continuing education program to meet the education standards for this certification specialty. Our current program is a curriculum of continuing education courses for registered nurses but also licensed mental health professionals. Others who may qualify to enter include functional medicine or functional health care practitioners, doctors of naturopathic medicine, physicians. Other health care professionals who are interested by have their qualifications/education/ and experiences reviewed on an individual basis by AIHCP, Inc.
What are the Primary Responsibilities of a Behavioral Holistic Health Practitioner?
- Recommends holistic and herbal alternatives for behavioral issues via comprehensive care planning
- Guides clients to better emotional and behavioral outcomes through counseling, educating, and planning
- Utilizes positive psychologies that emphasize overall health as a way to prevent behavioral issues
- Help clients actualize change through a variety of modalities including diet, exercise, mediation or positive coping
- Provide clients with the necessary mental health guidance to actualize change and better behavior
- Invite clients to a better and healthier way of life conducive to mental health
- Focuses on holistic care plans that help clients achieve quality of care outcomes
- Utilizes evidence-based recommendations for nutrition and supplementation that provide for better overall mental health and wellness
- Incorporates theories and models of care that include the whole person, body, mind spirit in planning for overall mental health and wellness
- Utilizes other certification modalities related to body, mind and spirit into their overall practices to assist clients in achieving overall mental health and wellness
- Provides ongoing evaluation of clients undergoing holistic mental health care and makes adjustments to the care plan accordingly to maximize client outcomes
- Refers clients whenever needed to higher levels of mental health care and counseling
Where Do Certified Holistic-integrative Health Care Specialists Practice?
Certified Holistic-Integrative Health Care Specialists practice their specialty in virtually any health care setting/delivery model in which care is provided. They are especially seen practicing in:
- Wellness centers
- Holistic health care centers
- Acute care where there is a supportive philosophy of the integration of complimentary/alternative therapies in overall holistic care.
- In private practice, as dictated by their professional licensing laws in the states or countries they practice in.
- In group practices.
- Skilled and long-term care centers, where a holistic and integrative approach to overall care is practice by the health care team.
- Holistic-Integrative health care specialists may also be seen in some innovative care practices related to mental health, addiction recovery, and geriatric care.
- Wherever health care is provided and the model of care includes a more wholistic and wellness approach
Are you interested in becoming a Certified Holistic Nurse? If this practice specialty interests you then please review our certification program and feel free to speak with our advisors regarding our complete education program and courses leading to qualifications to achieve the certification.