Peter Bongiorno Bücher

Many therapists feel unprepared to address the various complementary and alternative (CAM) remedies available, such as diet trends, acupuncture, and herbal supplements. Concerns about side effects, interactions with psychiatric medications, and the risk of clients opting for these alternatives over necessary conventional treatments are prevalent. This book tackles these issues by providing a framework for understanding holistic care in the context of anxiety and depression. The author, a naturopath experienced in mental health, outlines the principles of holistic care, reviews significant CAM research, and discusses safety concerns. He offers guidance on determining when to introduce CAM modalities into a client’s treatment plan and identifies situations where holistic approaches may not be suitable. Additionally, readers learn to evaluate various lifestyle and physiological factors that can influence anxiety and depression, including sleep quality, diet, caffeine consumption, exercise, sunlight exposure, media use, and health issues related to blood sugar, cholesterol, thyroid, hormones, and digestion. This comprehensive resource equips therapists with the knowledge to navigate the complexities of integrating CAM into mental health care effectively.

“You are not alone, and you’re not saddled with anxiety—or the medications to treat it—forever. I’m going to outline a clear plan and give you clear steps to help you face your anxiety from every angle, in synergy, to truly get to the calm and healing you need and deserve. These tools work.” –from the introductionNaturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist Peter Bongiorno has been researching natural approaches to anxiety for over 20 years and treating patients for a dozen. (His interest was professional, of course, but also partly personal; he had his own history with debilitating anxiety.) Here he offers his holistic approach to healing anxiety and avoiding relapse, with a toolkit that includes foods and plant-based medicines, plus anxiety-reducing yoga poses, massage techniques, and acupressure points you can try on your own for lasting relief.Bongiorno also tackles how to safely wean from anti-anxiety medication and how to supplement conventional medications with herbs and other remedies to increase their efficacy and reduce side effects.If you are one of the 40 million Americans with panic attacks, phobias, or other anxiety-related issues limiting your life, or are in close relationship with someone who is, this book will be a lifeline.