Dr. Teresa Bobo
My name is Dr. Bobo and I am a clinical health psychologist, trained within the scope of the biopsychosocial model. This model asserts that interacting mechanisms between biology, psychology, and socio-environmental factors contribute to one’s overall experience of negative mood states that may be consistent with a variety of mental health disorders defined in the DSM-5.
My degree is Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), with clinical training focused on evaluating, diagnosing, giving diagnostic tests as needed, and performing psychotherapy. I was also required to do research. A significant portion of my clinical experiences have been at various VA Hospitals (Veterans Administration). I initially chose those experiences because I serve in the Army National Guard, and it was the population I wanted to serve.
I have received exceptional training in several evidence-based interventions for treating a variety of mental health problems (CBT, CPT, PE, ACT, biofeedback, neurofeedback, clinical hypnosis). I also experienced a diversity of training experiences that have contributed to the overall development of my current approach to therapy, which is facilitated within the spirit of Non-Duality.
What is Holistic Integrated Therapy?
The word Holis refers to returning to the memory that is sacred, that is, returning to that which is eternally known, your Self. The knowing of your own being is not something that can be known about, because it is what you are. Integrative means unifying. Holistic therapy is returning to yourself, the unification of that which appears to be divided. Unification is uniting apparent separate parts into a whole, while divided is the appearance of being split apart from. When one comes to therapy, they feel lost from their Self. One doesn’t know who they really are, but they know that who they’ve been is not congruent with the unconscious memory of their own being. This often creates the perception of being unhappy. or conflict within (e.g. distress). Most people will “do” just about anything to find happiness, though what one has been doing and where one is perceived to be, is apparently the wrong “place.”
How is Holistic Integrative therapy different from traditional therapy approaches?
Holistic therapy is an approach that recognizes the power to heal oneself inherently lies within. There is nothing that can replace awareness itself. Awareness is not something that can be learned about or done, it is what you are. Awareness is the knowing of experiencing itself, though not directly what is being experienced.
Although I have received training in evidence-based protocols that dictate what is done each session, Holistic therapy itself is not limited to any steps or processes it is completely open, meaning there is no agenda prior to the session. This openness invites clients to come as they are. Working through what is being experienced now provides an opening to explore other ways of viewing from, that ultimately relieves suffering. Over a period of time, ongoing self-inquiry methods continue to be applied to daily life situations and circumstances, with a progressive realization of the Self.
Who is appropriate for a Holistic Therapy approach?
Holistic therapy approach is NOT appropriate for individuals with the following conditions:
* In Crisis, having thoughts of harming oneself or others (passive or active thoughts), in an abusive environment that is unsafe (e.g. Domestic Violence), psychotic (e.g. hearing or seeing things that no one else can), or delusional (e.g. believing something is happening that is not actually happening).
* Currently experiencing elevated symptoms of PTSD. However, prior diagnosis of PTSD does not exclude one from doing the work.
* Abusing drugs or alcohol. The use/abuse of any mind-altering substance must be given up to focus attention toward oneself. If one’s mind or thinking is altered, the revelation of oneself will not likely occur in that state.
* Safety must be the first consideration and for this reason, I typically refer patients who need to focus on safety to therapists who specialize in working with these populations specifically.
* patients with bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder must be stable on medications prior to the start of holistic integrative therapy. Ones self-identity must be stable in order to look at it and reveal the truth of it.