INTEGRAL MEDICINE
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INTEGRAL MEDICINE
Dr Kennan Taylor
Integral Medicine is a novel approach to medical delivery that is inclusive not only of the various bodily systems and their interconnections, but also the mental dimensions. Integral Medicine sees these mental dimensions to extend from the physical, to include the emotional, social, cultural and spiritual aspects of our being, and sees how these impact at all levels of health, illness and disease. In this respect my approach to health from the mental perspective includes the psychological and psychiatric, but is not defined by these disciplines and extends well beyond them.
Too often the physical dimension is seen in isolation and if a 'mental' component is detected the problem can be labelled 'pyschosomatic' or 'hypochondriacal', or even psychiatric, and not included directly in the management strategy. Integral Medicine overcomes this inherent difficulty by not only including the mental dimension to any problem, but seeing it as the platform from which any management can be delivered.
Integral Medicine achieves this by differentiating the following aspects:
l Enquiring about the emotional effect of the problem as well as its potential contribution.
l Recognising that the social, family and occupational backgrounds have a relevant and even significant impact.
l Our mental beliefs and opinions, informed by our upbringing and education, determine how we look to any problem and may need to be examined.
l That these social, mental and other backgrounds rest on a cultural heritage and outlook.
l And further still; that all the above can be subtly yet deeply affected by our religious outlook and spiritual belief system.
This approach to healthcare is fundamental positive, creative and optimistic: looking to health and well-being in dealing with dysfunction, illness and disease. Integral Medicine does this by including educational and philosophical positions and is therefore not reliant on the limited scientific view of medicine.
Integral Medicine is suited to people who see a dynamic relationship between the physical and mental levels and who include their mental outlook in all matters of illness and disease. Integral Medicine sees that each problem is fundamentally a personal one, requiring an individualised approach, with the demand on the practitioner being more as a informant, mentor and guide.
Integral Medicine sees the fundamental attributes that a client requires are a sense of self-responsibility, a desire for personal empowerment under his or her own control. I see these attributes as often lacking or diminished in the current medical environment and in need of restoration, as they are considered essential to problem-solving becoming true healing.
It is of no concern whether the presenting problem is physical or mental; what is of importance is the relationship between the two and the ability of both client and practitioner to explore both as demanded by the problem and inclination of the client.
A necessary consequence of this is the importance of the professional relationship as co-operative and creative to jointly facilitate the most advantageous outcome.
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I work in the following areas:
Psychotherapy
I deal with the psychological turmoil that is presented to me and believe that a sound therapeutic relationship is fundamental to helping in this. Medication is a considered support, but by no means essential and certainly not fundamental.
My approach is fundamentally existential and incorporates methods from the depth psychologies, yet it is also both creative and educative in direction. I am a firm believer in the primacy of the relationship and that whatever the client brings to the encounter determines the direction any therapeutic venture should proceed in.
This is a psychotherapy not limited to the currently popular 'cognitive' and 'behavioural' therapies that take a problem-oriented approach, but one that sees life as an enquiry and journey, with a mentor who sees meaning rather than solutions as the goal. It is for the seriously interested who see this deeper attitude as responsible for any mental health turmoil.
Mental Health Planning and Management
To undertake detailed and accurate assessment of mental distress; develop management strategies, and to provide alternatives in management, treatment and appropriate referrals. This approach is not primarily psychiatric in orientation.
This is achieved by:
l Listening in detail to the client's story and their understanding of the problem.
l Education and various strategies of management being provided.
l Development of a mental health management plan, if indicated.
l Referral, if necessary.
Medical Consultancy
To provide a genuine holistic approach to all medical problems, for second opinions, and strategic advice on alternative approaches and directions in a counselling setting.
From a mental health perspective this extends to the complementary medical management of immune, hormonal and nervous system problems, as well as all problems recalcitrant or unresponsive to the modern scientific medical approach.
Problems dealt with:
l The dietary and environmental background to all dimensions of illness.
l Metabolic disorders, such as diabetes and extending to heart and other chronic and degenerative diseases.
l Immune system problems, such as fatigue and musculoskeletal pain.
l Hormonal problems, like low thyroid or the changes of menopause.
l Sexual difficulties, in both men and women.
l Difficulties with subtle brain functioning, such as memory, attention and concentration.
l Alternative approaches to all problems that are inclusive of any medical management in place, if so decided.
l Psychological management, as outlined above.
Personal Medicine
(Individualised Residential Retreats)
Often a period of time in a different and challenging setting can be most advantageous to explore issues of health, life-transitions and personal direction; often when these occur and produce problems with mental and/or physical health.
The setting is Ganieda Sanctuary where you and I, as guide and mentor, can determine a strategic management plan to work with these issues at depth and by prior joint negotiation.
All the above approaches can avail themselves of routine laboratory, radiological and specialist opinion, where appropriate, as well as investigative approaches and inventories. Extending from clinical practice, I run an electronic Consultancy via email, and offer these and other educational services at Ganieda Sanctuary.
CLINICAL SERVICES
Operating under the auspices of the Medicare and the medical profession, Integral Medicine operates at:
l Ganieda Sanctuary, Albany. (08) 9844 6393
l Health Quest Medical Clinic, Bicton. (08) 9438 2299
l Stirling Health Professionals, Stirling. (08) 9446 8322
Kennan is available to conduct the services he delivers at the Clinic via email and phone.
This service is commonly an extension of initial consultations provided at the Clinic, where the convenience of email can facilitate an ongoing relationship and exploration of the problems at hand.
In the modern era, this provides an attractive alternative, although not currently Medicare-based.
Email Consultancy has been successfully delivered to clients (e.g. overseas) where no prior meeting has occurred, although this is usually for general advice and counselling, rather than specific problem management.
Not only is email a valid tool of communication, it is also, in Kennan's experience, eminently suitable for counselling and therapy.