STANDARD COMPETENCIES

 

 1. Establish an overall understanding of holism and holistic principles.

 2. Explain, compare and contrast the similarities and the differences between healing and curing

 3. Identify important elements of creating therapeutic rapport and a mutually healthy relationship.

 4. Analyze the changing paradigm of healthcare as it relates to the five primary domains of the emerging health models of Integrative/Complementary Alternative

    Medicine compare and contrast how they differ from the allopathic approach.

 5. Discuss and analyze the concept of mind-body medicine and its various theoretical frameworks as well as the placebo effect and

    evaluate the overall implications of such on the healing process.

 6. Introduce the theory of Psychoneuroimmunology and understand its impact on individual health wellness as well as the overall field of holistic health.

 7. Describe and evaluate the impact of stress on health and illness vs. wellness.

 8. Describe and recognize the importance and role of practitioner self-awareness, self-responsibility and self-care and their own relationship

    to optimizing wellness and modeling holistic principles for clients.

 9. Identify and evaluate the benefits of imagery and modern relaxation techniques facilitating client health and wellness.

 10. Identify and evaluate the importance a holistic approach to client nutrition on facilitating health and wellness.

 11. Identify and evaluate the benefits of exercise and movement techniques to facilitate client health and wellness.

 12. Describe, compare and evaluate several varieties of holistic touch and acupressure therapy techniques in facilitating their impact

     on providing holistic care.

 13. Examine the theory of the body’s energy centers (i.e. chakras) and describe, compare and evaluate several varieties of energy

     modalities in facilitating their impact on providing holistic care.

 14. Describe, compare and evaluate several adjunctive healing modalities (e.g. humor, art/music/play therapies) in facilitating their impact

     on providing holistic care.

 15. Discuss and understand tools for self-reflection (e.g., journals, logs, dreams, letters, and life review) and other self-nurturing activities

     to promote personal growth and healing.

 16. Describe, discuss and evaluate the common alternative medical systems (Tradional Chinese Medicine, Naturopathy, Homeopathy) techniques in facilitaing their impact on providing holistic care.

 17. Experience a guided imagery or relaxation technique as well as a holistic treatment and reflect upon the experiences of how these could be used in holistic treatment.

 18. Compose a formal research paper to synthesize what has been learned in this class on a chosen therapeutic holistic modality,  which will then serve as the catalyst to later complete the experiential capstone class project.

 

 

 TOPICAL OUTLINE

 

 I. Introduction of the concept of Holism

 II. Overview of Holistic Health/Integrative Medicine philosophy and the theoretical frameworks in comparison to Contemporary Western Medicine

      a. The difference between healing and curing

      b. The role of Self-Responsibility of the patient

      c. Preventative vs. Reactive Care and Treatment

      d. The mind-body connection and impact of the placebo effect

 III. Analyze the changing paradigm of healthcare and the comparison of Holistic/Alternative Medicine Model with the Contemporary Western

    Medicine Model and emergence of the combined study of Complementary/Integrative Care model

 IV. Describe the importance of the client – practitioner working relationship

      a. Essence of compassion

      b. Effective communication.

 V. Introduce the theory of Psychoneuroimmunology and the impact of Stress on health

      a. Key figures

      b. The connection to stress and its corresponding emotions and behaviors impacting health and wellness

 VI. Examine the importance and impact of the Psychophysiology of body-mind healing and certain behavioral habits on overall health and wellness

      a. Nutrition

      b. Exercise and Movement

      c. Imagery and Relaxation Techniques

 VII. Describe, evaluate and compare multiple holistic care modalities under the five primary domains of:

      a. Alternative Medical Systems (e.g. Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naturopathy, Homeopathy, etc.)

      b. Mind-Body Intervention and Mind-Body Medicine (e.g. Meditation, Imagery, Relaxation Techniques, etc.)

      c. Biologically- based therapies (e.g. Aromatherapy, Herbal Medicine, etc.)

      d. Manipulative and Body Based Methods (e.g. Massage, Reflexology/Acupressure, etc.)

      e. Energy Therapies (e.g. Reki, Jin-Shin, Healing Touch, etc.)

      f. Adjunctive therapies (e.g. Art & Music Therapies, Humor & Play Therapy, etc.)

 VIII. The roles of Intuition and Self-Care among Holistic Health Profession Practitioners

 IX. Experience a holistic treatment and imagery/relaxation technique.

 X. Synthesize the information of all of the theories, philosophies and practices introduced under the holistic health modalities in

      order to choose a holistic modality of interest to further explore for a research paper that will connect to the Holistic Health Capstone

      Class Research Project/Presentation.