Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Meet with a Certified Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider for a holistic wellness evaluation. Complementary and Alternative Medicine services treat issues related to weight gain, premenstrual syndrome, concentration, mood swings, fatigue, insomnia, or chronic pain. Treatments may reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and improve immune function, which can protect against chronic disease. Complementary and Alternative Medicine services are available over Telehealth and in person in Rocky River.
Telehealth and In-Person
Daytime Appointments Available
Certified Providers
Barbara Kappus Ward, MSW, LISW, ERYT, CIMHP
Creating balance in mind, body and spirit is Barbara’s personal and professional mission. For more than two decades, she has provided alternative, holistic, and integrative therapies to complement a variety of psychotherapy modalities to assist clients in finding wellness and balance. Barbara earned a Master in Social Work at Adelphi University and has been a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) for 27 years. Her interest in movement therapy developed after becoming a certified Integral Yoga Teacher (Therapist) at T.R.Y. (Therapy, Reiki, Yoga) For Life School based out of Ursuline College in 2004. She finds that Psychosomatic therapies combined with traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approaches have been the most beneficial for her clients. She supports her clients in creating a balanced and healthy life.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Services
1. Yoga Therapy
Mind-Body Integration: Yoga therapy combines postures, breathing, and meditation to promote relaxation and physical health. By engaging both body and mind, yoga enhances flexibility, strength, and balance, and improves circulation and lymphatic flow.
Stress Relief and Mental Health: Regular yoga practice lowers cortisol levels, increases GABA (a calming neurotransmitter), and supports the release of endorphins, which improve mood. It can also help improve focus, reduce symptoms of PTSD, and manage anxiety and depression.
Physical Benefits: Therapeutic yoga helps with chronic pain conditions, inflammation, and respiratory and cardiovascular health by promoting mobility and reducing muscle tension.
2. Somatic Experiencing and Breathwork
Breathing Techniques: Practices like diaphragmatic breathing, box breathing, and alternate nostril breathing activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which calms the body’s “fight or flight” response. Deep breathing helps lower blood pressure, reduce heart rate, and promote relaxation.
Somatic Awareness: This involves becoming mindful of bodily sensations and using breathing to release tension or emotional blockages. Practiced regularly, somatic awareness helps individuals develop better body-mind connections, which can enhance emotional regulation and reduce physical tension associated with stress and anxiety.
Pranayama: In yoga, pranayama breathing techniques like Ujjayi (ocean breath) and Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) improve lung capacity, oxygenation, and mental focus. Practiced regularly, pranayama may reduce symptoms of depression and improve sleep quality.
3. Sleep Guidelines
Quality sleep is critical for both physical and mental health. During deep sleep, the body repairs tissues, consolidates memory, and processes emotions. Poor sleep increases cortisol (the stress hormone) levels, which can exacerbate anxiety, depression, and muscle tension. Adequate sleep enhances emotional resilience, boosts immune function, and improves cognitive performance, helping with everything from learning to impulse control. Your healthcare provider can help you identify barriers to restful sleep, and strategies to improve your quality of sleep.
4. Sound Therapy
Sound Baths: Sound baths using gongs, singing bowls, or tuning forks produce vibrations that induce relaxation. It’s a personal sound experience just for you.
Reduced Anxiety and Improved Focus: Sound therapy can help reduce stress, alleviate anxiety, and enhance focus. Vibrations produced by sound instruments stimulate the vagus nerve, which can reduce blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety levels.
Pain Relief and Physical Relaxation: The soothing sounds encourage muscle relaxation and physical stillness, which can be beneficial for chronic pain, insomnia, and tension.
5. Mindfulness-Based Meditation
Stress Reduction: Mindfulness meditation trains the brain to focus on the present, which can reduce worry thoughts and help people respond more calmly to stressors. It also activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation.
Improved Emotional Regulation: Regular meditation enhances emotional resilience, reducing impulsive reactions and helping with emotional processing. Studies show it can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improving overall mental well-being.
Physical Health Benefits: Mindfulness reduces inflammation, lowers blood pressure, and improves immune function, which can protect against chronic disease. It also promotes better sleep quality, which enhances energy levels, concentration, and emotional stability.
Each of these practices reduces stress, supports emotional balance, and enhances physical resilience. Combining these strategies with conventional medical care as needed helps individuals enjoy more holistic, long-lasting health improvements.
Fees
Adult Evaluation | 60 mins | $150
Follow-Up Appointment | 60 mins | $120
Complementary and Alternative Medicine appointments are not covered by health insurance. Sessions are private pay.