You deserve to thrive with CAM & Holistic Therapy

Kimberly Seelbrede is a seasoned New York University-trained psychotherapist, a specialist in mind-body approaches, EMDR therapy, and couple's therapy with nearly two decades of clinical experience. She specializes in alternative healing approaches and trauma resolution, working with both men and women. Her focus includes women's emotional health during perimenopause and menopause, as well as navigating other complex medical transitions. She founded a private practice in New York City offering virtual online therapy. Kimberly has received extensive training and certifications in trauma resolution, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Somatic Experiencing (SE), and Nutrition & Integrative Medicine For Mental Health. She is passionate about honoring the exquisite interplay of the mind-body connection. Holistic Psychotherapy, EMDR & Wellness provides a range of therapy services tailored specifically for dynamic, intelligent, and successful professionals, including executives, women, and millennials in New York City and throughout New York State.

Have Antidepressants And Other Psychiatric Medications failed to improve your mental health? Are You Interested In Boosting Your Mood, attention, and motivation And Reducing Your Anxiety Naturally? I’d Like To Introduce You To How Nutrition, Amino Acid Therapy, Natural Medicine & Somatic Practices Can Assist You In Creating The Optimal Mental Health You Desire, Using Highly-Effective Alternative Therapies.

More and more, patients are turning to natural treatments to increase vitality and wellness, used exclusively, or as a complement to their existing traditional medical care. Increasingly, individuals who are dissatisfied with conventional psychiatry are turning to natural and holistic ways to feel better and address their symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, trauma, and depression. Current findings suggest that antidepressants work for some, but not for everyone, and unfortunately, their effects often do not last. When it comes to mental health, generally, there are multiple factors at play, including genetics, malnutrition, poor diet, hormonal imbalance, traumatic experiences, and environmental challenges, as examples.

What is Complementary Alternative Medicine, CAM?

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) can significantly enhance the therapeutic process by addressing the mind-body connection and supporting holistic healing. By integrating practices such as mindfulness, acupuncture, herbal remedies, or nutritional guidance, CAM offers an additional layer of support that complements traditional talk therapy. These approaches can help alleviate stress, reduce anxiety, and improve emotional well-being, allowing clients to feel more balanced and present during their sessions. When combined with psychotherapy, CAM provides a more comprehensive approach to mental health, fostering deeper self-awareness, emotional regulation, and long-term resilience. By considering the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—CAM enriches therapy, empowering clients to achieve lasting transformation and a greater sense of overall wellness.

Holistic psychotherapy involves the relationship between your body, mind, emotions, and spirit to increase awareness and self-acceptance of your unique experience. It draws from many forms of traditional therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, as well as non-traditional practices like mindfulness, relaxation techniques, energy work, and movement. Holistic treatment considers the whole person, not just the issues that bring you to therapy so that you can heal and thrive. You may be searching for a holistically-oriented therapist to meet your mental health needs. The process shouldn’t be such a mystery. If you struggle with anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, and other mental health concerns, you should know that most Western doctors and practitioners are not trained to investigate the root cause of your suffering. Many of these hard-to-treat ailments can be targeted with integrative health methods. Many of these difficult-to-treat challenges can be resolved using integrative methods.

Common struggles addressed in Holistic therapy:

• Anxiety and panic attacks

• Social anxiety

• Low self-esteem

• Difficulties speaking up

• People pleasing and accommodation

• Career and work dissatisfaction

• Challenging life transitions and crossroads

• Grief, loss, and bereavement

• Unfulfilling relationships

• Loneliness, isolation and heartbreak

• Somatic complaints related to psychological suffering

• Unresolved trauma symptoms

• Unhelpful habits and self-sabotage

• Exploring inner conflicts and obstacles

• Communication and self-expression difficulties

• Clarifying beliefs and values

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) refers to an array of therapies that extend beyond conventional Western medical treatments. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) defines complementary and alternative medicine as "a group of diverse medical and health-care systems, practice and products that are not presently considered part of conventional medicine." Complementary describes therapies and treatments used in conjunction with conventional care, and the term alternative relates to less conventional methods of treatment. Recently, “Integrative Health” has been used to describe the blending of evidence-based CAM therapies into conventional treatments to enhance physical, emotional, and psychological health and well-being. Many individuals seeking treatment for a range of mental health concerns may find the addition of complementary or alternative treatment approaches to be helpful when these treatments are offered by an experienced mental health professional.

Three categories of CAM Practices:

• Physical therapies, e.g. exercise, yoga, bright light, acupuncture

• Nutraceuticals (vitamins and minerals), e.g. Vitamin D, folic acid, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids as examples

• Herbal remedies, e.g. St. John’s wort and saffron as examples

Holistic therapy with a CAM-oriented Therapist:

• The integration of somatic therapies such as EMDR or Somatic Experiencing in addition to cognitive, behavioral, or insight-oriented therapies to release trauma(s) and long-held patterns in the body and nervous system

• Cognitive and behavioral skills to address faulty thinking, motivation, adherence

• The addition of amino acids, supplements, or nutraceuticals into your diet and lifestyle

• Breath work and relaxation skills training

• Support for increasing movement and exercise

• Referrals for hormonal assessments, functional medicine, acupuncture, reiki, reflexology, massage

• Encouragement for animal and human relationships and community

• Support for enhancing nutrition and digestion using culinary medicine

• Acceptance for the range of your experience, including adaptive coping strategies, emotions, and behaviors

• Understand your various parts, such as protectors, managers, firefighters, perfectionists, inner critics, bullies, and more

How can psychological counseling & Integrative CAM Practices help you?

Our culture is finally talking about emotional and mental health. Nearly 70% of the population is struggling with anxiety and/or depression, and of that number, about 40% do not feel better despite treatment. That means that while current medications are lifesaving for many, too many individuals are not helped and remain symptomatic. Integrative Medicine & Nutrition For Mental Health describes practices that are whole-person centered, offering modifications and prescriptive lifestyle changes to support and increase mental well-being. Lifestyle modifications can also be used alongside conventional medicine for optimal treatment outcomes and patient adherence. Often, some can reduce or withdraw from medications such as antidepressants or anxiolytics, as well as other medications that may have led to uncomfortable side effects. Integrative Medicine & Nutrition For Mental Health prescribes daily changes in eating patterns, physical activity, sleep, self-care, and stress management, positive social interactions, avoidance of harmful substances, as examples, to address and even reverse common physical and psychiatric health concerns. Oftentimes, precursor amino acids and supplements are added to heal and restore the brain and body to optimal functioning. We feel better when we pay attention to and prioritize the health of our body; and now we have the science to confirm that positive lifestyle changes can heal or greatly reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, ADHD, and much more.

Integrating CAM into therapy

The field of psychology and mental health consistently evolves with new research, which leads to the development of an expanded view of treatment modalities to support emotional and mental health and well-being. Many psychologists take a holistic approach to healing and wellness, incorporating techniques drawn and blended from other fields of medicine and mental health. Holistic practices when integrated into sessions, may include movement and energy-based practices, including treatments such as Reiki, acupuncture, biofeedback, massage therapy, yoga, nutritional therapies, and meditation. These techniques have proven to have a positive effect on mental and/or physical health, while others are not yet supported by scientific evidence.

Five Major Types of Complementary and Alternative Medicine

(Natural solutions for emotional and physical wellbeing)

1. Mind-Body Interventions

2. Alternative Medical Systems

3. Biologically-Based Therapies

4. Energy Therapies

5. Manipulative & Body-Based Methods

Some Effective CAM Examples:

• Acupuncture

• Ayurvedic Medicine

• Chiropractic Therapy

• Energy Medicine

• Dietary Medicine

• Herbal Medicine

• Massage Therapy

• Naturopathy

• Magnet Therapy

• Bodywork and Movement

• Hypnosis

• Biofeedback

• Relaxation Therapy

• Guided Imagery

• Meditation

• Spiritual Practices

• Homeopathy

• Reiki

How can a Holistic Psychotherapist help you optimize your Mental Health using Cam Practices?

Licensed mental health professionals trained in nutrition and alternative protocols are well-positioned to offer their patients support from emerging research in the fields of Functional and Integrative Medicine, aimed at naturally optimizing mental health. Natural remedies offer powerfully effective help for people who have not yet achieved the full alleviation of mental health symptoms from prescription medicine. It’s also a sound choice for people with mild symptoms, and for those who wish to avoid conventional psychiatry. Together, we work to identify the “root cause” underlying many common psychiatric symptoms such as ADHD, motivation, memory, anxiety, and depression. Research reveals that some of the well-known biological factors that can create or intensify mental health symptoms include: chronic inflammation, low levels of nutrients and minerals, neurotransmitter dysfunction, poor gut health, food sensitivities, low thyroid, sex hormonal imbalances, and numerous other factors. This natural and holistic approach to good mental health can work alongside and even replace commonly prescribed medications. And many natural remedies even support individuals with cravings related to addiction, and those struggling with withdrawal symptoms related to antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

A Dose Of Self -Care & Self-Compassion

Is needed during your most chaotic of times. I can help you develop rituals that nourish your body-mind-spirit as you develop new resources to become fiercely protective of your needs. That’s what good Self-Care is all about.

While I’m a fan of tea and bubble baths, self-care is so much more than a spa day, it’s intentional, everyday care. It’s care that helps you connect to more grace and compassion for yourself and others. Self-care is any form of emotional, physical, and spiritual nourishment that gives you the strength, balance, perspective, and energy to be present and move through difficult times with greater ease. It is also care that allows you to set boundaries, and feel deserving of the boundaries you create for yourself. It’s care that empowers you to be even fiercely protective of your needs at times, and unapologetic at times. Self-care can mean many things, and finding a balance between caring and connection with others, and taking care of yourself is integral to feeling well, whole, and nourished. When you make self-care a daily practice, even amid challenging circumstances, you will begin to feel more vitality, resilience, and personal empowerment.

As a practitioner of all things healthy and holistic, I’m a strong proponent of the mind-body-spirit connection when it comes to optimal mental and personal health. Self-care, including rest, movement, and a healthy relationship with just about everything, including food and nutrition, is vitally important to your emotional well-being. Did you know that exercise alone is an effective, natural antidepressant that also reduces anxiety and stress-related symptoms? We also know that the nervous system, brain, and body need proper nutrition for robust performance. When the challenges of life throw you off course, it’s hard to prioritize taking good care of yourself, and yet this is when you need it most. Knowing that you have control over some aspects of your life is empowering during challenging times. You can make healthy choices for yourself, and also attend to your challenges. I love helping people find a system of self-care that is realistic, sustainable, and supports their needs.

Wellness Coaching, Self-Care + Autoimmune Support

Self-care is Not Being Selfish Or Indulgent, It Is The Ability To Care For One's Own Emotional Needs, Set Boundaries With People, Manage Anxiety, Anger, Sadness, And Other Feelings Or Emotions, And Attend To One's More Complex Needs. Prioritizing Your Wellbeing Will Lead To Greater Life-Satisfaction. The need for exquisite self-care is, Even More, imperative for individuals who Struggle with chronic pain, Autoimmune conditions, complex and mystery illnesses.

What Are Some Examples Of Complex Health Conditions That Are Successfully Supported In Counseling?

• Long Covid & Post-Vaccination Syndrome (PVS)

• Chronic & Complex Illness (including ME/CFS, POTS, EDS, MCAS, histamine intolerance, dysautonomia, etc.)

• Fibromyalgia

• Hormonal dysregulation or deficiency

• Autoimmune Disorders (Hashimoto’s, Sjogren’s, Rheumatoid Arthritis, as examples)

• Gastrointestinal/Microbiome Health (SIBO, IBS)

• Gut/Brain Disorders

• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

• Neuropathic Pain

Many suffer from chronic pain, somatic symptoms, and health issues that may be rooted in energetic blocks and neglected emotional suffering. We know that trauma at all levels tends to remain "stuck" in the brain, nervous system, and body as unprocessed feelings, emotions, and experiences. This often gets expressed as body symptoms such as anxiety, depression, disease, and chronic pain. A special interest of mine is to provide individualized Wellness Coaching to help support clients to identify feelings and emotions, as well as understand how the body speaks loudly to express the trauma. Clients can overcome blocks to optimal health as well as understand self-destructive habits that have become life-altering obstacles to well-being. I view well-being as an opportunity to heal from the inside out—this means addressing the root cause of disease and suffering, and not just attending to symptoms. Working with a wellness model, together we will identify areas of need, and I will support you through the healing journey

This can happen even when other people's demands or actions make this a challenge. Society as well as friends, family, and employers often have expectations of us; we subjugate our own needs in an attempt to please and care for others. In the mental health field, Individuals with low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, dependency issues, and codependent individuals fail to care for themselves, often until it's too late and they become sick. Some examples of chronic health conditions that benefit from self-care support and advocacy are the following: Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or CFS, arthritis, MS, Lupus, asthma, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, Lyme disease, autoimmune thyroid disorders (Hashimoto's & Graves), depression, IBS and diseases of aging as a few examples. Conventional medicine rarely addresses the root causes of many of these chronic conditions and treats only the symptoms. A whole-body approach gives clients the choice to make radical lifestyle changes that may actually cure these common diseases or at least, greatly reduce symptoms and suffering. The failure to care for oneself due to wanting to please or care for others, such as in a codependent relationship, or in the case of overly demanding family members, can indicate some difficulty in setting boundaries, identity, and self-image. 

As a professionally trained addiction and eating disorder psychotherapist and specialist, I can help clients navigate the challenges they face post-rehab and at any phase of recovery. Recovery coaching can help individuals identify, manage, and remove the many environmental and personal obstacles that interfere with successful recovery. *Note* I am not in recovery personally but have training in the area of addiction and recovery services.

Because Staying “Well” Can Be Hard To Do Alone, Coaching Support Can Help You Keep Your Wellness Goals.

• Maintaining motivation and staying focused on personal goals 

• Support for creating healthy and safe boundaries for self and others

• Support for maintaining the energy, passion, and desire for healthy relationships

• Help for engaging in activities and relationships that replace the desire to use drugs or engage in harmful behaviors 

• Self-empowerment and learning to ask for help as needed

• Identifying needs and learning to connect to inner guidance

• Creating self-care practice that nourish the mind and body

• Support in identifying and managing cravings and triggers

• Learning to "own" actions and take responsibility in relationships and with behaviors

• Celebrating important gains and achievements

• Feeling empowered to make healthier choices

• Support with structure, activities, exercise, nutrition, socializing, and sleep hygiene

• Maintaining hope and staying positive as you get well

• Help with learning to be present, tolerate discomfort, and live in the present moment

• Create a practice of awareness, acceptance, gratitude, self-compassion, and change 

Professional Burnout

Your Body Knows How To Heal…

Professional burnout is a common presenting complaint and a reason many successful, hardworking, and high-achieving individuals seek professional coaching. They frequently initially experience apathy, exhaustion, or a sense of overwhelm before more serious problems surface. There are also many reasons one might experience burnout, not limited to the pressure to succeed or achieve, financial demands, or a competitive personality. The important thing is to learn to identify and recognize when you need help so that you can restore well-being and create a healthier work and life balance. 

What Follows Are Classic Signs Of Professional Burnout:

• Apathy and detachment

• Dread and anxiety 

• Physical and emotional exhaustion

• Chronic fatigue

• Changes in appetite

• Increase in substance use or abuse

• Insomnia and sleep issues

• Physical or somatic complaints such as: palpitations, panic attacks, headaches, gastrointestinal complaints, dizziness

• Impaired immune functioning and frequent illness

• Impaired attention, concentration, and forgetfulness

• Relationship issues

• Anger, tension, and irritability

• Acting out

• Feeling less effective

• Feeling trapped or "stuck"

• Sadness, isolation, pessimism, hopelessness, depression

• Lack of productivity and decreased performance

therapy can be incredibly helpful for addressing professional burnout. Professional burnout is a specific type of burnout that occurs as a result of chronic stress and dissatisfaction in the workplace. It can manifest as emotional exhaustion, feelings of cynicism or detachment from one's work, and a sense of reduced personal accomplishment. Therapy can provide both immediate relief and long-term solutions to manage and prevent burnout. Here’s how therapy can help:

Identifying the Root Causes

Therapists can help you explore the factors contributing to your professional burnout. This may involve examining your work environment, workload, interpersonal relationships at work, or your personal expectations and goals. Identifying the root causes is a crucial first step in addressing burnout, as it allows you to focus on what is most distressing.

Stress Management Techniques

Therapists can teach you practical tools for managing workplace stress. Techniques might include:

• Mindfulness and relaxation techniques (e.g., deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation)

• Cognitive-behavioral strategies to challenge unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier, more balanced perspectives

• Time management and organizational skills to help you feel more in control of your tasks and responsibilities

Boundary Setting

One of the key contributors to professional burnout is a lack of boundaries. Therapy can help you recognize where you may be overcommitting, setting unrealistic expectations for yourself, or allowing work demands to encroach on your personal time. A therapist can help you develop assertiveness skills to communicate your needs and set healthier boundaries with colleagues, managers, and clients.

Reframing Negative Thinking

Burnout often comes with negative thought patterns, such as feeling inadequate, worthless, or trapped in your career. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you identify these unhelpful thought patterns and reframe them. For instance, you might work with a therapist to challenge perfectionistic beliefs or to address feelings of guilt or failure related to your work performance.

Enhancing Coping Strategies

Therapists can work with you to develop and strengthen emotional coping strategies. This might include:

• Self-compassion practices to reduce self-criticism and increase emotional resilience

• Problem-solving skills to tackle work-related challenges more effectively

• Stress tolerance techniques to help you manage difficult or unpredictable situations at work

Addressing Work-Life Balance

Professional burnout is often a sign that work is taking up too much of your time, energy, or emotional resources. Therapy can help you assess and improve your work-life balance, ensuring that you have time to rest, engage in meaningful leisure activities, and nurture relationships outside of work.

Exploring Career and Job Satisfaction

If you're feeling disconnected from your work or unfulfilled in your professional role, therapy can provide a space to explore your values, interests, and long-term career goals. A therapist can help you reflect on whether your current job aligns with your strengths and passions, and whether career changes or a shift in focus might be beneficial.

Building Resilience and Preventing Future Burnout

Therapy can support long-term healing by helping you build emotional resilience. By developing healthier coping mechanisms, enhancing emotional intelligence, and fostering greater self-awareness, therapy can help you avoid falling into the same patterns of burnout in the future. Therapy can also help you set sustainable goals and take proactive steps to maintain your mental health and well-being in the workplace.

Addressing Underlying Mental Health Concerns

Sometimes professional burnout is linked to or exacerbated by underlying mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, or trauma. Therapy can help identify and address these underlying concerns, providing a more comprehensive approach to healing. By managing any co-occurring conditions, you can improve your overall ability to cope with work stress.

Improving Workplace Relationships

If your burnout is related to difficult interactions with colleagues or supervisors, therapy can help you build communication and conflict-resolution skills. You might work on improving how you assert your needs, address conflicts, or manage interpersonal dynamics in a way that reduces stress.

When to Seek Therapy for Professional Burnout

If you’re experiencing signs of burnout (e.g., emotional exhaustion, a sense of detachment or cynicism toward your work, reduced performance, feelings of inadequacy or helplessness), therapy can help you regain perspective and develop a healthier relationship with your job.

In some cases, if your burnout is severe, therapy may also help you decide if it’s time to make a career change or take a break from work altogether.

About Cam Integrative Therapy NYC

This practice provides a range of psychological & wellness services in NYC and throughout NY state. The goal is to individualize treatment to your unique physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual needs. I have experience working with a broad range of symptoms and approaches in psychotherapy, including but not limited to EMDR Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Holistic Mind-Body Medicine. Therapy begins with a therapeutic consultation, where you will gather a wealth of information about your difficulties. Many people feel better after the first session. The initial consultation also lays the groundwork for future treatment as we determine the best modalities to help you heal.

CAM Therapist With Nearly 20 Years Of Experience

This practice offers supportive, compassionate, and comprehensive care, staying current on research related to mental health. My goal is to use my expertise and extensive training to get you back to living your life as quickly as possible.

Book An Appointment For CAM Therapy NYC Today

Book an appointment directly or text 212-529-8292 to get started. Integrative Psychotherapy & Wellness Manhattan can help you with your healing journey guiding you towards optimal mental health.