September 30 • Written by: Jennifer Sierra, LMHC
You’re sitting at your desk, staring at your screen, and suddenly everything feels like too much. The emails. The notifications. Your own thoughts spiraling about all the conversations you had that day. Or maybe you’re crying in your car before walking into work, wondering when normal tasks became so exhausting. You’ve tried the breathing exercises, downloaded the meditation apps, and still—something feels off.
What if I told you that your anxiety, mood swings, or overwhelming stress might not be “all in your head”? What if your body has been trying to tell you something all along, but no one’s been listening?
What “Holistic Mental Health Counseling” Means for Orlando Women (No Crystals Required)
When you hear ‘holistic mental health,’ what comes to mind? Maybe crystal energy sessions, or over-the-top promises that seem too good to be true. Holistic mental health counseling is something entirely different—it’s grounded in research, not trends. It’s about recognizing that your mental health doesn’t exist in a vacuum—your hormones, sleep, stress levels, relationships, and life transitions all play interconnected roles in how you feel each day.
As a licensed mental health counselor with certification in integrative mental health in Orlando, I’ve watched too many women walk into my office carrying stories of dismissal. They’ve been told their concerns about birth control affecting their mood are imaginary. They’ve heard that perimenopause symptoms are “just something to deal with.” They’ve never had anyone explain how their menstrual cycle impacts their anxiety (Yonkers & Simoni, 2018).
These experiences aren’t just unfortunate—they’re a sign that something is missing from conventional mental healthcare.
If you’ve been told your concerns about hormonal birth control, perimenopause symptoms, or cyclical mood changes aren’t “real” problems, that invalidation becomes part of your mental health struggle. Creating a space where your experiences are believed and explored—not dismissed—can be profoundly healing.
Understanding True Holistic Mental Health
Holistic mental health counseling recognizes the intricate connections between your mind, body, and spirit. When we address anxiety, we don’t just focus on racing thoughts. We explore how hormonal fluctuations might intensify symptoms (Yonkers & Simoni, 2018), how perfectionist tendencies create chronic stress, or how past medical dismissal has left you feeling invalidated and made it difficult to trust your own instincts.
Your body and mind communicate constantly through hormones, neurotransmitters, and nervous system responses. When these systems are out of balance, you might experience symptoms that seem purely psychological but actually have physiological roots (Cryan & Dinan, 2012)..
Sarah’s Story: When Everything Finally Made Sense
Sarah, a 28-year-old marketing professional, came to therapy feeling “broken.” Her anxiety spiked dramatically each month, and traditional therapy had taught her coping skills that seemed useless during those intense weeks.
When we began tracking her symptoms alongside her menstrual cycle, a clear pattern emerged. Her anxiety wasn’t a character flaw or personal failure—it was her body’s response to hormonal fluctuations that no one had ever explained to her.
Through menstrual cycle awareness and targeted strategies, Sarah learned to anticipate these challenging periods. She discovered her body needed different support at different times of the month. This knowledge didn’t eliminate her anxiety entirely, but it gave her back control and self-compassion (Yonkers & Simoni, 2018).
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How Holistic Counseling Actually Works
In my practice, holistic mental health counseling combines evidence-based therapeutic techniques with integrative approaches that honor your complete experience:
Traditional Foundations Meet Whole-Person Care
Drawing from trauma informed evidence-based talk therapy and somatic mind-body approaches, we use what works best for you—whether that’s Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or Motivational Interviewing We also explore how nutrition, sleep, movement, and hormonal health influence your mental state (Lake & Spiegel, 2007). This isn’t about replacing proven therapies; it’s about expanding our understanding of what affects your wellbeing..
Understanding Mind Body Connections
Hormone fluctuations throughout a woman’s life affect mood, energy, and cognitive function. Through increased self-awareness in therapy, you’ll learn to recognize patterns in your own life—discovering that your “irrational” irritability happens predictably during certain weeks, or that your energy ebbs and flows in ways that have nothing to do with weakness or moral failure (Yonkers & Simoni, 2018). Understanding and honoring these rhythms helps you embrace your body at every stage, whether you’re in your twenties navigating early career stress or approaching perimenopause.
This awareness extends beyond hormones—you might also notice how your anxiety responds to sleep patterns, certain foods, or stress accumulation over time
Role of Faith Based Counseling and Self Compassion
Self-compassion forms the foundation of all healing work in holistic mental health counseling. Too often, women are their own harshest critics, especially when dealing with symptoms that have been dismissed or misunderstood by others.
Learning to speak to yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a dear friend transforms your relationship with your struggles. Instead of berating yourself for having anxiety or feeling overwhelmed, you learn to respond with understanding and support.
For clients who value spiritual practices, faith can be integrated into therapy in meaningful ways. This doesn’t mean imposing any particular belief system, but rather honoring the role that spirituality plays in your life and healing processes (Koenig, 2012). Whether that’s through prayer, meditation, connection with nature, or community worship, spiritual practices can provide comfort, strength, and perspective during difficult times.
When Comprehensive Care is Needed
Holistic mental health counseling recognizes that therapists aren’t experts in everything. When your symptoms suggest underlying medical issues, nutrition deficiencies, or hormonal imbalances, comprehensive care becomes essential the missing link to true healing.
Through my network of trusted integrative specialists, my clients have access to an RN health coach who provides micronutrient testing, personalized supplement recommendations, and guidance in connecting the dots between symptoms across different body systems (Boyle et al., 2017). When dietary concerns or underlying medical issues arise that need specialized care, I connect clients with integrative medical practitioners and nutritionists who can provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment.
The goal is creating a healthcare team that sees you as a whole person and supports your long-term health through preventative care.
Creating Change That Lasts
The goal isn’t quick fixes or miracle cures. It’s developing coping strategies that work with your natural rhythms, building self-awareness that helps you make better decisions for your wellbeing, and cultivating self-compassion that supports you through life’s challenges.
Your Journey Starts Here
If you’re tired of feeling dismissed, overwhelmed, or disconnected from your own body and intuition, holistic mental health counseling might be exactly what you’ve been searching for.
You deserve care that sees you completely, validates your experiences, and empowers you with both understanding and practical tools for healing. Whether you’re navigating life transitions, struggling with anxiety relief, working on self-esteem, or addressing women’s health issues, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Ready to experience mental health care that honors all of who you are?
Reach out to Holistic Mental Health Counseling in Orlando, Winter Park, or Altamonte Springs today to schedule a consultation. Your future self – the one who feels peaceful, confident, and free – is waiting for you to begin.
Ready to experience mental health care that honors all of who you are?
Reach out to Holistic Mental Health Counseling in Orlando today to schedule a consultation. Your future self – the one who feels peaceful, confident, and free – is waiting for you to begin.
Schedule Your Free 15 Minute Anxiety Therapy Consultation Today
Not Quite Ready for Anxiety Therapy?
We understand that taking the first step toward therapy can feel overwhelming. If you’re not ready to schedule a consultation, start by exploring these resources to learn more about holistic approaches to mental health:
Therapy Orlando Anxiety Resources
- Anxiety Therapy Orlando: 7 Natural Anxiety Relief Tips from an expert Holistic Therapist
- 3 Holistic Approaches to Calm Perfectionist Anxiety This Summer
- Stress & Anxiety Therapy Orlando: Beyond Normal Stress – When to Seek Help
- Anxiety Therapy Orlando: Unmasking Anxiety: Exploring the Root Causes
These blogs are designed to help you better understand your anxiety and explore holistic strategies for relief. When you’re ready, we’re here to support you.
Other Services offered at Holistic Mental Health Counseling in Orlando
We provide evidence-based therapy that honors your strengths while addressing the patterns that no longer serve you. Our services include anxiety therapy, depression therapy, holistic mental health therapy, and life transitions therapy. We work with individuals ready to create lasting change in their mental health and well-being.
Anxiety Therapist Orlando Jennifer Sierra, LMHC
Jennifer Sierra is an Orlando Anxiety therapist who specializes in trauma-informed counseling and helping clients navigate anxiety and life transitions. She is a Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional with 20 years of experience; Jennifer thoughtfully balances traditional talk therapy with holistic interventions to help clients find calm within and strengthen relationships. Jennifer maintains a heart for community involvement and Orlando mental health awareness through volunteer work, workshops, and speaking engagements.
Disclaimer: The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information shared is based on our understanding and interpretation of various mental health topics. It is important to recognize the complexity of mental health issues, and the advice provided here may not address the specific needs of every reader. The content on this blog should not be considered a substitute for professional advice from a qualified mental health professional. Always seek the advice of a licensed therapist or other qualified mental health provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your mental health or well-being.
References
- Yonkers, K. A., & Simoni, M. K. (2018). Premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. The Lancet, 371(9619), 1200-1210.
- Cryan, J. F., & Dinan, T. G. (2012). Mind-altering microorganisms: The impact of the gut microbiota on brain and behaviour. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 13(10), 701-712.
- Lake, J., & Spiegel, D. (2007). Complementary and alternative treatments for anxiety. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 30(4), 871-881.
- Boyle, N. B., Lawton, C., & Dye, L. (2017). The effects of magnesium supplementation on subjective anxiety and stress—A systematic review. Nutrients, 9(5), 429.
- Koenig, H. G. (2012). Religion, spirituality, and health: The research and clinical implications. ISRN Psychiatry, 2012, 278730.
