Holistic Psychology Book Review

SAN DIEGO PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER, March 2005

Book Review by Nancy J. Auger, Ph.D.

I recently read a book by one of our SDPA members, Gita Elgin, Ph.D., entitled, “Sing Your Own Song, Dance Your own Dance”. The subtitle is Holistic Psychology: The Art and Science of Personal Transformation and Healing. It is co-authored by Bart Bödy, Ph.D. Since I was not familiar with this type of psychological practice, I was interested in finding out more about it. It is definitely a book that you would want to read more than once and seek further training in the various techniques that are explained within, in order to incorporate them into your own practice.

The first part of the book provides a rationale for the pursuit of healing from the perspective of the whole person, incorporating the physical, mental and spiritual aspects. It also puts the emphasis on the person taking charge of their own healing, rather than deferring to traditional medicine to achieve wellness. The focus is on health, rather than psychopathology or disease. In parts two and three the authors thoroughly explain the holistic principles, processes and techniques, by incorporating case examples that help the reader understand how to utilize them. The persons who are treated with the holistic renewal process are also followed up, so you can learn how they benefited and where they still need to go in their own personal journeys. The last part of the book describes the training that is needed to be a holistic psychologist and the legal and ethical issues involved. It very clearly states that holistic psychology does not diagnose, treat or manage disease. However, the hope is for greater clinical collaboration with the medical profession, so that alternative methods of treatment, self-care practices, and holistic principles can be incorporated with traditional medicine, to achieve optimal patient care.

I found this book to be filled with valuable information for anyone who wants to apply the principles in their own life, and also to understand when they may need someone specifically trained to guide them through the transformational process.