The mind, body and spirit are intimately connected.  Many people do not live up to their full potential because they do not address all three of these areas.  For example, if my mind (and emotions) are clear and balanced, I may be able to problem solve and communicate effectively.  However, if I don't take care of myself physically and spiritually, my health problems as well as my lack of meaning, purpose and values will eventually bring me down mentally and emotionally.

Similarly, I could be physically fit and trim, but if I neglect my mind, emotions and spirit, I'll probably have poor communication skills, not be able to express my emotions or problem solve effectively.  I also may not consistently act in accordance with my values or sense of inner purpose.  If this occurs, I become a shell of a person, thinking all I am is my body.

If I only tend to myself spiritually, I may have a strong sense of my meaning and purpose in life, as well as solid values.  These attributes, however, will do me little good if I can't walk up a flight of stairs, problem solve effectively or communicate my feelings.

As you can see, on our path to being the best that we can be, we need to nurture all three of these aspects. This is called being "holistic" or attending to the entire person.

If you are interested in mind-body-spirit integration, your therapist will work with you to evaluate each of these areas and help you set and complete goals that will fully develop your mind, body and spirit.  This will allow you to be a "whole" and integrated person, setting the stage for living your best life and being fully empowered.