Integrative Psychiatry

Integrative psychiatry is a mental health care approach that uses the most effective treatments from mainstream and complementary sources. Axis Integrated Mental Health has offices in Louisville and Aurora, Colorado, providing innovative treatments beyond medication and therapy. These include acupuncture, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and ketamine therapy. Call your nearest Axis Integrated Mental Health office or request an in-person or telehealth consultation using the online booking feature today.

What is integrative psychiatry?

Integrative psychiatry practitioners take a whole-person approach to mental health problems, focusing on the mind and body as separate but interacting systems.

Axis Integrated Mental Health’s team combines conventional medications with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), using the most helpful treatments from each to optimize patient outcomes. Extensive research proves all the methods used to be safe and effective.

What CAM treatments does integrative psychiatry use?

Axis Integrated Mental Health selects from the following CAM treatments:

Mind-body therapies

Mind-body therapies include meditation, yoga, tai chi, hypnosis, and biofeedback.

Biological practices

Biological treatments include nutrition counseling, dietary supplements, special diets, and botanicals (plant-based medicines).

Physical practices

Physical treatments include acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic manipulation, and reflexology.

Alternative treatments

Alternatives to mainstream medications for mental health disorders include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), ketamine infusions, and Spravato® esketamine nasal spray.

CAM treatments also include lifestyle changes. The Axis Integrated Mental Health team combines Western and Eastern philosophies to enhance healing from mental health problems.

What conditions can integrative psychiatry treat?

Integrative psychiatry can treat numerous mental health conditions, including:

• Depression (major depressive disorder)
• Treatment-resistant depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
• Postpartum depression
• Persistent depressive disorder (PDD)
• Anxiety disorders
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Burnout
• COVID depression
• Grief

The Axis Integrated Mental Health team uses interventions outside prescription medication to increase your likelihood of improving or recovering from these mental health issues.

What happens at an integrative psychiatry consultation?

An integrative psychiatry consultation is similar to a standard psychiatric evaluation. Your provider begins with a medical history and symptom review, then asks about your work and home life, stress levels, diet, exercise, and other activities influencing your health. They may also check your vital signs.

Once they have all the information required, your provider produces a personalized treatment plan for you. This could include carefully thought-out medications and custom treatments. They also recommend lifestyle modifications, such as adding regular movement or exercise to your day to improve mood.

Your provider might also address your nutrition and gut health. Friendly gut bacteria produce serotonin and other brain chemicals that affect mood, so promoting better digestion could help you with problems like depression and anxiety.

To learn more about integrative psychiatry and its benefits, call Axis Integrated Mental Health or book an in-person or telehealth appointment using the online booking feature today.