Holistic Therapies

Holistic therapies at Ventura Wellness Behavioral Health in Thousand Oaks add body-based practices to evidence-based mental health and addiction treatment. Yoga, breathwork, sound baths, acupuncture and mindfulness don’t replace therapy or medication. They give you more ways to settle your nervous system, notice what you’re feeling and practice the skills you learn in sessions. These offerings are optional, and they fit into your outpatient schedule.

What Are Holistic Therapies in Mental Health Treatment?

“Holistic” means caring for the whole person rather than a list of symptoms. Stress, trauma, depression and substance use all show up in the body: poor sleep, tight shoulders, shallow breathing, a racing heart, restlessness you can’t shake. Holistic therapies work directly with those physical signals.

In our programs, these practices are complementary. They sit alongside the core of your care, which includes individual therapy, CBT, DBT and EMDR, group therapy and medication management. Your clinical team looks at how holistic options fit your goals when they build your treatment plan in your first three days, and revisits that plan every week.

Yoga for Mental Health and Recovery

Yoga combines movement, breathing and focused attention. Classes in our programs are gentle and paced for beginners, so you don’t need any experience or flexibility to join. Instructors offer simpler versions of each pose and never push you past what feels safe.

For many people, yoga is a way to reconnect with a body that has felt tense, numb or out of control. Research summarized by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health suggests yoga may help some people manage stress and anxiety symptoms. In treatment, it also gives you a calm, structured break between more demanding therapy sessions.

Breathwork and Mindfulness

Breathing is one of the few parts of the stress response you can change on purpose. Breathwork teaches simple techniques, such as slow paced breathing or a longer exhale, that you can use during a panic spike, a craving or a tense conversation. Because they take only a minute and need no equipment, these skills travel with you after treatment ends.

Mindfulness means paying attention to the present moment without judging it. It’s woven into several of the therapies we use, including DBT and acceptance and commitment therapy. Practicing mindfulness in a group setting can make it easier to catch a thought before it turns into a spiral, or to sit with an urge until it passes.

Sound Baths

A sound bath is a guided relaxation session. You sit or lie down comfortably while a facilitator plays instruments such as singing bowls or gongs, and you simply listen. Many clients find it one of the easiest ways to rest when their mind feels busy.

The research on sound baths is still limited, so we treat them as a relaxation practice and not as a treatment for any condition. For someone who struggles to sit still in silence, though, sound can be a gentle way to practice slowing down.

Acupuncture as Complementary Care

Acupuncture uses very thin needles placed at specific points on the body. In mental health and addiction settings, some people use it to support relaxation and sleep, or to ease general discomfort while they adjust to treatment. Sessions are provided by a licensed acupuncturist, and you can always say no or stop a session.

Acupuncture is never a substitute for medical care. If you need medical detox before outpatient treatment, we coordinate a referral first. If you have a bleeding disorder, are pregnant or have other health concerns, talk with your care team before trying it.

How Holistic Care Fits Your Outpatient Program

Holistic sessions are part of the weekly rhythm in our partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs. Clients who attend online can join breathwork and mindfulness practice from home, while hands-on services like acupuncture take place at our Thousand Oaks location. Clients from Newbury Park, Agoura Hills and across Ventura County use these practices to round out their treatment week.

Holistic Therapy FAQs

Do holistic therapies replace therapy or medication?

No. Holistic practices are complementary. They support the evidence-based therapy and psychiatric care at the center of your treatment plan, but they don’t replace them. Your clinical team will talk with you about which practices make sense for you and how they connect to the goals you’re working on in therapy.

Do I have to take part in yoga or acupuncture?

No. Every holistic offering is optional. Some clients try everything, while others choose one or two practices they enjoy. If a practice doesn’t feel right, for any reason, you can skip it without affecting the rest of your care. Your comfort and sense of safety come first.

Do I need yoga experience or a certain fitness level?

No. Classes are designed for beginners and for people of all body types and fitness levels. Instructors offer simpler versions of each movement, and you can do many poses seated. The focus is on breathing and noticing how your body feels, not on flexibility or performance.

Can I do holistic therapies if I attend treatment online?

Yes, for some of them. Breathwork and mindfulness practice work well over secure video, so virtual clients can take part from home. Hands-on services such as acupuncture require an in-person visit to our Thousand Oaks location. Your care team can help you choose what fits your schedule.

Does insurance cover holistic therapies?

Coverage depends on your plan and on how each service is provided. Our admissions team can run a free benefits check and explain what is included in your program, and whether any holistic offering carries a separate cost, before you start treatment.

Want to learn how holistic therapies could fit into your care? Call 805-905-5483 to speak with our admissions team, or verify your insurance to see what your plan covers. You can also explore all of our therapy services.