The 8 Archetypes Most Drawn to Holistic Therapy (Which One Are You?)

Starting therapy can feel like a big decision — and an even bigger question is whether holistic therapy is the right fit. The truth is, people come to this work for many different reasons. Some are seeking relief from long-held pain. Others want to integrate their mind and body in a way that feels more sustainable. And some already have a good life, but are looking for ways to feel more deeply fulfilled.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the different types of clients who tend to be most drawn to a holistic approach to therapy. You may see yourself in one profile — or in several. Either way, it can help you understand how a holistic perspective might support your unique needs.

Trauma Root-Seekers: The “Lovely Lady” Therapy Graduates

A lot of people who find their way to holistic therapy have already tried traditional talk therapy. They’ll say things like, “My therapist was a lovely lady, but…”

They may have felt supported in the moment, but over time realized they were mostly venting without getting to the root. The trauma loops weren’t fully processed. There wasn’t the release, relief or closure they were hoping for.

Holistic therapy takes a different approach: instead of chasing symptoms around, it looks for the common thread beneath them. Trauma is often at the root of depression, anxiety, perfectionism and relationship struggles. Holistic and somatic work helps you complete the “unfinished business” of trauma, moving beyond symptom reduction into real transformation.

This isn’t just my perspective — even in peer-reviewed research, trauma-informed approaches are shown to shift care away from What’s wrong with you? toward What happened to you? For instance, a recent paper on trauma-informed care underscores how integrating this lens in therapeutic settings can help reduce re-traumatization and support healing.

Body-Based Symptom Clients

Another group who benefit from holistic therapy are those whose psychological distress shows up in the body.

Think of the person whose depression comes with body aches. The person whose anxiety shows up as jaw clenching or muscle tension. Someone whose autoimmune flare worsens under stress. Or the person who notices their mood shifts dramatically during certain parts of their menstrual cycle.

Too often, these clients are told “it’s all in your head.” Holistic therapy flips that narrative. Mind and body are inextricably linked — what affects one, affects the other. Symptoms aren’t dismissed or pathologized. They’re honored as messengers and we get curious about what they’re trying to communicate.

This work can feel especially validating for women, postpartum clients or those with chronic health issues who’ve experienced medical gaslighting.

Over-Functioning Women & Burned-Out Caretakers

Then there are the over-functioners — the women who excel at everything but feel quietly overwhelmed inside.

This is the woman who looks fine on the outside — the corporate leader, the grad student, the founder, the mom who “has it all together.” She shows up on time, hits deadlines, takes care of everyone else and rarely lets her guard down.

Inside, though, she may feel exhausted, anxious or disconnected. Her symptoms don’t fit the “classic” diagnostic picture. She can’t check the boxes of not getting out of bed or not meeting role responsibilities — because she pushes through no matter what.

These over-functioning women often minimize their distress, downplay symptoms on intake forms and carry an invisible load of caretaking. They’re the rocks for everyone else, but feel like no one’s really there for them. Holistic therapy gives them permission to stop holding it all together, to slow down and to tend to their own needs — not just everyone else’s.

Postpartum and Matrescence

Motherhood is one of the most holistic experiences there is — it transforms the mind, body and spirit all at once. From deciding whether or not to have kids, through fertility struggles or pregnancy, to birth and beyond, every stage brings profound changes.

Postpartum in particular is a time of massive identity shift. Sleep deprivation, hormonal changes, body changes, feeding challenges, relationship adjustments — it’s a lot. Even joyful moments can feel overwhelming.

Holistic therapy can be a lifeline here. It honors the spiritual, physical, emotional and relational layers of becoming a mother. It creates space for both the celebration and the grief that can come with matrescence.

And because many moms want a therapist who “gets it,” I share openly that I’m a mom myself. While every journey is unique, I know firsthand how much support and empowerment matter during this season. You can even find some of my reflections on maternal self-care featured in this Everyday Health article.

Neurodivergent Clients

Holistic therapy also resonates with neurodivergent folks — those with ADHD, autism or other neurodivergences, especially if they’re high-masking.

These clients often feel the pressure to fit into a neurotypical mold. They may spend enormous energy masking differences, pushing down sensory struggles and overcompensating in areas that don’t come naturally. The result? Exhaustion, shame and self-blame when traditional systems or strategies don’t work for them.

Holistic therapy shifts the focus. Instead of “fixing” you or making you look more neurotypical, we honor your differences and explore accommodations and supports. This isn’t about giving you yet another system to master alone. It’s about creating structures in your relationships, work and daily life that help you thrive on your own terms.

The Science + Spirituality Bridge-Seekers

Many clients I work with have one foot in science and one in spirituality.

On the science side, they feel grounded in neuroscience and psychology. They want to understand the vagus nerve, the fight-flight-freeze response or why breathwork actually works. They exhale knowing their therapist is licensed, credentialed and backed by research.

On the spirituality side, they also want space to explore tarot, astrology, affirmations, breathwork or moon cycles without judgment. They don’t want to hedge or filter these experiences in therapy. They want a therapist who welcomes both worlds — who can appreciate the data and lean into the magic.

Holistic therapy creates that bridge: validating the science while honoring the mystery.

[If you’re curious about how holistic therapy compares to a more traditional approach, I break that down in What Is the Difference Between Holistic Therapy and Traditional Therapy?.

The Self-Help Autodidacts

This is the person whose Amazon order history is stacked with self-help books. They’ve highlighted, journaled, tried the exercises and listened to countless podcasts. They’ve taken notes at red lights. They’ve gone to workshops, yoga retreats and downloaded every meditation app.

They have incredible self-awareness and dedication. But doing it all solo can start to feel lonely — or even hyper-independent. At some point, they realize it’s not about whether they can do it themselves. It’s about how much deeper they could go with support.

Holistic therapy doesn’t replace the self-healing journey; it amplifies it. It helps you access the more vulnerable places that are harder to reach alone, with someone walking alongside you.

The Personal Growth Enthusiasts

Finally, some clients come to holistic therapy not because their life is “bad” — but because it’s already good and they want it to feel even better.

They’re not necessarily anxious, depressed or traumatized. They’re not in crisis. But they want more:

• More ease in their body

• More fulfillment in their relationships

• More alignment with their values

• More joy and presence in daily life

Holistic therapy creates space for this kind of growth. It’s not about returning you to a baseline of functioning; it’s about helping you expand, transcend and experience the best this life has to offer.

Bringing It All Together

At the end of the day, there’s no one “type” of person who belongs in holistic therapy. Whether you’re processing trauma, navigating postpartum, exploring neurodivergence or simply wanting to take your life from good to great, this work is about meeting you where you are.

Every client’s journey looks different and that’s the beauty of holistic work — it’s tailored to you. If you’re ready to explore whether this approach is right for you, visit my Holistic Therapy in California page to learn more.

Your path to healing doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s — and holistic therapy is designed to honor that.

Crisis Support

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Disclaimer

This post is meant for educational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for diagnosis, assessment or treatment of mental conditions. If you need professional help, seek it out.

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About the author

Hi! I'm Natalie. And my passion is helping ambitious, creative millennials achieve everything they want in life, career and relationships. I provide in-person therapy in Pasadena and online therapy throughout California. Click here to get started.