There is an explosive growing interest in alternative healing, but surprisingly little is mentioned in the Family Therapy journals. I recently emailed AFTA members, asking if anyone was interested in discussing the use of holistic resources in psychotherapy. About a dozen members responded. It was suggested that I expand on this by describing how I have combined Homeopathy, Aikido, and systemic psychotherapy.
Since I was a graduate student at Columbia University the late seventies, it has been difficult for me to view systemic thinking and psychotherapy as anything but holistic. I remember looking at films made by Gregory Bateson as part of cultural anthropology classes taught by Margaret Mead and Paul Byers, an anthropologist who became my advisor and mentor. There were always sporadically "inserted" frames of Bateson holding his movie camera, a cigarette hanging from his mouth, obviously filmed filming the scene that was being viewed. The point constantly made throughout my studies was to think systemically by simultaneously seeing the part and the whole. It was as if using a stereoscopic lens, or more aptly put, a "peripheral vision" that Mary Catherine Bateson eloquently described in her book by that title. My "insert" in this essay is who I am, in the context of my experience with Homeopathy and Aikido which I have incorporated into my practice of psychotherapy.
Briefly, Aikido is a non-competitive martial art based on producing peace and harmony. It consists of hundreds of techniques, which re-direct the energy of an attack through graceful, blending movements. Aikido utilizes meditation, breathing, and various centering exercises to make best use of one's ki or chi. It is easily applied to every-day dynamics and conflict (see George Leornard's Way of Aikido or Greg O'Connor's Elements of Aikido). This part of my "insert" (sans cigarette) has been a profound experience entailing three-to-four Aikido classes a week for several years; finally an active, systemic metaphor of which I had been searching for a long time.
Another "insert" no less profound for this particular context is Homeopathy. It is the second-most used method of healing in the world, according to the World Health Foundation. Homeopathy's main focus is to treat the whole person, not the disease. Its FDA approved remedies, made mostly from minerals and herbs are non-toxic, diluted until only a "microchip" of its essence remains. Once taken, the homeopathic remedy mimics the etiology of the illness to be cured ("like cures like"). This allows the immune system to follow its natural course of healing (see Dana Ullman, Consumer Guide to Homeopathy or Luc De Shepper, Peoples Repertory).
Although I had used homeopathy for acute household illnesses in the past, it wasn't until homeopathy helped cure a chronic condition in one of my children, that I realized its power. I have since completed a certification in Homeopathy from the New School Of Homeopathy in Cambridge, MA, and I am in constant awe of its amazing results with mental and emotional problems. At one time, there were many successful homeopathic psychiatric hospitals in the United States with thousands of recorded cases of empathic systemic healing. During the 1920s and through the '30s, major pharmaceutical interests lobbied the curriculums of America's medical schools to support alleopathic medicines and practices forcing homeopathy to fall out of favor. Recently, I attended a seminar at a local law university on alternative healing. On the panel was an AMA representative who was in charge of "investigating" alternative healing. He stoically described many horror stories of abuse and misuse of medicine. When asked about homeopathy, he paused, smiled in a puzzled manner and said that he had been tracking forty individuals who were being treated for various ailments with homeopathy in California, all of whom seemed to be getting better in relation to their presenting problems. His reasoning, which he stated was a guess, was that homeopaths are like psychotherapists, spending more time with their patients than is practical, obviously creating a placebo-like effect. This type of response is not un-common for those who have little knowledge of Homeopathy. Extensive literature and research, mostly from Europe and Asia, demonstrates that it is safe and it works. My personal experience leads me to believe that the active use of energy-based methods like homeopathy and Aikido when merged with systemic psychotherapy take the word "holism" to unbelievably higher levels.
In my practice I make it clear that homeopathy is an educational resource, among others, such as meditation and stress-related exercises, that can enhance resolution of mental and emotional problems. I make no claims of being something other than a psychotherapist. When a client has existing medical problems, and chooses to explore homeopathy, it is strongly suggested that a partnership be formed with a physician. I ask anyone interested in making use of homeopathy with me to sign a disclaimer that states the above and my role as a psychotherapist and educator. I have working alliances with several homeopathic medical physicians which are not dissimilar to traditional psychotherapist/physican relationships. However, in my experience, the common language and objectives of homeopathy produces a much more collaborative and effective relationship.
A recent case summarizes the above. Debbie and Sam have been married twenty years with three children. Their presenting problem was Sam's insecurity and anxiety, especially when Debbie would go to business meetings. She had just received a promotion with a large retail company and was feeling good about being affirmed. Her new position included some travel and increased community involvement. My initial session consisted of "joining" through establishing a connection, something all therapists strive for and gain through experience and rigor. In my case, my practice of Aikido has helped me fine-tune my senses. In the practice of Aikido you have to be very greatly aware of the space in front and behind you in order to complete a technique, many of which can cause serious injury if not executed in a precise harmonious way with your partner. Sam was obviously not comfortable expressing his feelings. He had been at the same job for twenty-five year as a production manager. Bored and tired at forty-six years old, I had to spend more time than usual making him feel comfortable by synchronizing with him, being sure to blend with his cadence, expression, style and to share similar experiences.
When the comfort level felt right, I proceeded to map out their genogram. In Aikido one "steps off the line" and produces a distance or space that is governed by the belief that if you push hard on the world, it will push hard against you; yet if you push gently, it will push gently back. This is felt more readily when you feel the connection to others and the world. I have done thousands of genograms and each one fascinates me more. With the framework of Aikido and Homeopathy, my mapping is now more sensitive to the nuances of subtle, human communication. This awareness assists the process of discovering the meaning of why Debbie, Sam and myself are together. I still utilize benchmarks for information gathering of gender, class, culture, and race. I strive to facilitate commitment, equity and ways of intimately volleying for a win-win pattern.
Sam was pushing Debbie away by trying to sabotage her newfound confidence. She choreographed herself with much self-blame and guilt, all right there to be viewed in their family of origin legacy. I gave them a copy of You Can Go Home Again, (Monica McGoldrick), to support an understanding of this dynamic. I now include in this peripheral level, homeopathic insights gained from the past two hundred years of its narratives. Homeopaths focus on traumas ("not well since a shock to the immune system") by sensing the energy revolving around symptom modalities, causes, feelings, and generalities that are descriptive of the whole person.
In Debbie's case and from her genogram; issues of abandonment, anxiety, and panic attacks were well marked in her time line; Sam had cut-offs from his father and repetitive grief-issues as an adolescent. Debbie's innate personality traits indicated an outgoing attention-seeking individual with years of repression to her natural style of communi-cation and for Sam, an inward lack of confidence from his up-bringing had skewed his cooperative family-oriented nature.
I continued to work with them in subsequent sessions with the objective to strengthen their connection and understanding of each other's deeper messages. This was enhanced with progressive relaxation and visualization exercises. They both agreed to have me do a complete homeopathic assessment, which includes a survey of relevant descriptors about themselves that they answered at home. After assessing their information a homeopathic remedy was suggested for each of them that matched their current mental and emotional states. My training and experience suggested that they take the remedies in water each day. Remedies are inexpensive, over-the-counter and non-prescription. The local health food store offers a whole line of remedies, which are manufactured in FDA-approved Homeopathic Pharmacies (sold in the form of tiny sugar pellets impregnated with the remedy). I gave them educational handouts with references as to how to take them. I also suggested different breathing and synchronization exercises for them to do each day.
Within five weeks of taking the remedies and six psychotherapy sessions, Debbie reported a feeling of well being. She also had an existing eczema problem around her ears for the past sixteen years that started when she became anxious after the birth of her first child. Interestingly, her suggested remedy was also indicated for eczema in the ear area. She had been to five dermatologists over the years and each time was prescribed cortisone creams to no avail. The eczema receded completely in one week. In the homeopathic literature and common to most philosophies of healing, the body cures from the inside to the outside, layer by layer, like the peeling of an onion, following a natural course. Debbie's disappearance of her eczema proceeded her feeling more secure and confident. She reported a keen, new sense of communication. The remedy indicated for Sam was predominately for grief. His reoccurring headaches subsided and he began asking his mother and sisters questions about his past and went to some of "those places" he said were "not allowed for inquiry." His sense of improvement was the difference he felt in his self-confidence. He did not feel alone anymore and began to open up and share with Debbie things that he had never talked about.
All family therapists, including myself, have had success along these lines, however, the most profound difference that I have observed has been the readiness for change influenced by the use of homeopathy and Aikido in my experience. From this I believe that whatever holistic method is used within the practice of psychotherapy it will help those involved get closer to living that larger metaphor of nature.
Ken Silvestri is a licensed psychotherapist and certified homeopath with a private practice in Morristown, NJ. He teaches a graduate course in the department of psychology at the College of St. Elizabeth, is a visiting faculty member of the Family Institute of New Jersey and an active student at the Aikido Center of Morristown.
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