Collective

/kəˈlektiv/(Noun): “A collective is a group of entities that share or are motivated by at least one common issue or interest, or work together to achieve a common objective.”

Whether your anxiety stems from obsessive, intrusive thoughts/doubts, a specific phobia, social situations, or life in general, living with OCD/anxiety disorders impacts our nervous systems and our bodies, not just our minds.

Increased activation of our sympathetic nervous system (fight/flight/freeze response) can cause muscle tension, headaches, body pain, difficulty with digestion/eating, difficulty with sleep/self-care, and more. Learning to regulate your nervous system and achieve a more balanced, relaxed state is inherent throughout therapy, and there are many additional services available to treat symptoms of an overactive nervous system that can complement therapy and enhance outcomes.
For this reason, I created The Collective, a multi-disciplinary network of quality, compassionate integrative health professionals that I’ve connected with who are trained in healing modalities that have been shown to complement mental health therapy and improve overall well-being. These healing methods are not cures for anxiety disorders or OCD and do not replace therapy, but are complementary and/or integrative methods that can reduce body pain/tension, reduce general anxiety and depression, increase relaxation, balance the nervous system, and improve quality of life.

Acupuncture

An ancient method dating back thousands of years that is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine in which small needles are inserted into specific areas of the body.

Research shows acupuncture can improve outcomes for individuals with depressive disorders taking psychiatric medication. While more randomized controlled trials are needed, pilot studies have shown that acupuncture used as a complementary method to medication and therapy can also help to improve treatment-resistant OCD, anxiety, and sleep disturbances compared to waitlist control groups. Acupuncture has also been shown to increase parasympathetic nervous system activity, increase relaxation, improve concentration, improve immune functioning, and help individuals with chronic pain and musculoskeletal disorders.

For more information and acupuncture care, I recommend: Valerie Christina

Massage Therapy

An ancient, healing touch-based therapy.

Research on direct mental health benefits of massage therapy is still in its infancy, and massage therapy has been shown to decrease pain, improve relaxation, increase activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, and improve quality of life. Massage therapy may also improve mental health therapy outcomes for individuals with anxiety and depressive disorders. Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a specific and targeted type of massage therapy that focuses on healing touch and light adjustment of the head, skull, and sacrum; all of which play a role in our central nervous system response. CST has been shown to have a positive impact on regulating mood, regulating the nervous system, increasing relaxation, and it may help with anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, headaches, and neck/back pain.

For more information and massage therapy, I recommend: Kata Garrison at Form & Function

Chiropractic Care

Primarily includes spinal adjustments and manipulation in a safe and effective way by a trained professional.

Founded in 1895, millions of nerves, which carry messages from our brains to our bodies and back, travel down our spines. If our spine is out of alignment, which can be caused by a variety of experiences ranging from car accidents to sitting hunched over a computer all day, many functions of our bodies can be negatively impacted. Chiropractic care has been shown to improve quality of life by complementing medical treatments for individuals with chronic pain and musculoskeletal conditions including back pain, neck pain, and headaches, all of which have been shown to have negative impacts on mental health and well-being. Chiropractic care can also help with regulating the nervous system by increasing activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps with relaxation.

For more information and chiropractic care, I recommend: Thrive Chiropractic and Health

Sound Healing

Music and sound have been used since the beginning of time to soothe, heal, relax, and connect.

Tibetan and Buddhist cultures have used singing bowl sound healing practices for centuries, in which bowls of various sizes are tapped or rubbed with wooden mallets to produce soothing sounds. While research on singing bowl sound healing practices lacks randomized controlled trials, preliminary studies have shown that it can help decrease anxiety, depression, tension, and physical pain and can help improve heart rate variability, blood pressure, respiration, spiritual well-being, and relaxation. The exact mechanism of change in sound healing practices is unknown, but possible explanations requiring further research include alterations in brain waves, binaural beats, and vibrational sounds interacting with the human biofield, or the electrical system that runs through our bodies and extends to the energy field surrounding the human body.

Another non-invasive sound healing practice called Biofield Tuning uses tuning forks to detect areas of tension in the body and to help release that tension. While additional research including randomized controlled trials is needed, a study published in 2023 showed promise in biofield tuning significantly reducing anxiety levels when delivered virtually during the Coronavirus pandemic.

For more information and sound healing: Cole Carlson at Sankalpa Therapy & Wellness

Nutritionists

What we put in our bodies impacts physical and mental well-being and can impact all functions within our bodies.

The Standard American Diet (SAD, fittingly, for short) often lacks the necessary nutrients that our brains and bodies need to function properly. Research shows that our gut and our brain directly impact each other in a bidirectional way. Health issues associated with the stomach are often present for those with anxiety disorders and mood disorders, and those with anxiety disorders and mood disorders often develop health issues with their stomach. Taking care of our gut health impacts immune functioning, the endocrine system, and the central nervous system. Having a healthy relationship with food can be hard for anyone, and especially for those with mental health disorders, yet what we eat is one of the most important factors in well-being.

For more information and nutrition care, I recommend Rasa Troup.

Hair Care

For Anxiety Disorders, Depression/Low Self-Esteem, and Trichotillomania/Hair-Pulling

Taking care of basic needs like hygiene and grooming can be really difficult for people with depressive disorders and other mental health disorders. Social anxiety, fears of feeling trapped, low self-esteem, body dysmorphia, shame from body-focused repetitive behaviors and difficulty keeping up with hygiene practices can all be barriers to sitting in a chair in front of a mirror to get a haircut. Having a compassionate stylist who is sensitive to mental health needs such as wanting a totally private session, needing a double shampoo, accommodating a haircut where you don’t have to stare in the mirror the whole time, and answering questions about self care (because you’re worth it!) can make the experience less scary and more enjoyable.

For more information and hair care, I recommend Stephenie Webber at Cura Di Sé Hair Lounge. Please Note: When booking online, please be sure to indicate in the message option if you would like to request a private session or other accommodations.

Dental Care

For those with dental phobias.

Going to the dentist can be hard and scary for a variety of reasons, especially for those with mental health disorders. Anxiety disorders can lead to avoidance behaviors, teeth grinding, and TMJ, eating disorders can lead to dental erosion, and mood disorders can make self-care extremely difficult; all of which negatively impact oral health. Oral health impacts mental health in that poor dental hygiene is associated with increased social isolation, increased physical pain, lower self-esteem, and worse general well-being. Oral health has also been associated with coronary and respiratory disease, stroke, and diabetes. While therapy is necessary for those with diagnosable dental phobias, having a caring, compassionate, and understanding dentist can also help.

For more information and dental care: Coming Soon

 

The Collective is here to further connect you with your highest self, to improve your whole-person well-being, and to deepen your healing journey.

Everyone’s symptoms and healing journey is unique. Not all of these professionals will be necessary for everyone’s healing. I encourage you to explore and utilize a treatment team that is specific to your individual experiences, needs, and goals. Seek assessment from trusted healthcare professionals for recommendations specific to your needs.
For individuals with OCD, anything can become a compulsion! If you are searching for an immediate, quick fix, you are probably using these services compulsively and that will not help your OCD symptoms. Integrative and spiritual healing methods can be helpful in enhancing therapy outcomes for those with OCD, but these practices can also reinforce unhelpful magical thinking and obsessive doubts (for example, looking for signs, which can be compulsive or trusting your gut, which can be difficult to understand for those with OCD). Work with a trusted therapist who specializes in OCD to better understand what might be helpful for you and what might not be.

Want to be part of the collective?

Reach out to Jayme to schedule time to connect over coffee here!