Different Paths to Healing: Bridging Traditional Practices and Therapy

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to different healing traditions and cultural perspectives on well-being. From yoga and mindfulness to traditional healing modalities rooted in Eastern practices, I’ve explored many ways of understanding what it means to be well—not just surviving, but moving toward optimal health, vitality, and even peak performance. These practices have shaped my own self-care and personal growth, and I often see how they can be powerful tools for high performance in life and work, even if they don’t always find their way directly into the therapy room.

Part of that hesitation comes from the history of psychology itself. Western psychology has its roots in Europe, where it developed with relatively limited multicultural perspectives. Later, in the U.S., cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) became a dominant approach—praised for its structured, evidence-based methodology. Over time, therapy has leaned heavily toward what can be measured and studied, often creating an implicit hierarchy: some approaches are viewed as more “legitimate” than others.

But the truth is, healing doesn’t fit neatly into one box. Every culture, every community, every person has their own way of understanding suffering, resilience, and renewal. To me, there is no single “correct” method. Evidence-based therapies can be powerful tools for change, but so can traditional practices that invite balance, connection, and meaning in ways science is only beginning to explore.

I also notice more and more clients bringing in their own explorations—sometimes nervously at first. For example, someone might mention astrology, a spiritual belief, or another practice they’ve been curious about. Often, they preface it with, “I know this might sound silly…” but to me, these are all valid and even playful ways of exploring identity and self-understanding. Psychology itself has long engaged with symbolic systems: Carl Jung spoke about archetypes, Internal Family Systems (IFS) maps our inner world into different “parts,” and Ayurveda describes tendencies through the elements of fire, water, and earth. In many ways, astrology can be seen as a similar framework—an imaginative, symbolic language that helps people reflect on different aspects of themselves.

When clients bring these traditions into the therapy space, I don’t treat them as “right” or “wrong,” but as mirrors and metaphors. They can reveal patterns, illuminate strengths, and provide insights into personal growth—all while often feeling lighthearted, creative, and engaging.

As a therapist, I hold both realities. I value the rigor of evidence-based practices, while also honoring the wisdom embedded in traditional healing systems. And I believe that therapy—and healing more broadly—becomes richer when we create space for multiple perspectives, allowing people to draw from both science and tradition to find what truly supports their well-being.