What Is Integrative Psychiatry and How Is It Different?
Let’s be honest. Most mental health care today still centers on one question: “What meds can we prescribe to get rid of your symptoms?”
But what if that’s not the only question worth asking?
At Integrative Healthcare Alliance, we approach things differently. We believe real healing happens when you treat the whole person, not just their symptoms.
That’s where integrative psychiatry comes in.
So what is integrative psychiatry, exactly? And why are more adults turning to it when traditional approaches fall short?
Let’s break it down in plain language.
What is Integrative Psychiatry?
Integrative psychiatry combines conventional psychiatry with functional medicine and holistic care. It’s a full-spectrum approach that looks at how your brain, body, habits, stress, and story all interact, and how we can support every layer of that.
Yes, we can prescribe medication when it’s helpful. But we also explore things like nutrient deficiencies, sleep disruption, gut health, trauma, and hormone imbalances. We don’t just ask, “How do we manage these symptoms?” We ask, “Where is this coming from, and how can we support your body and brain to recover?”
We didn’t start IHA to offer more of the same. We have been patient, too. We've sat in appointments that felt rushed or impersonal. We've seen loved ones stuck in care that only scratched the surface.
So we built the kind of practice we wished existed. A place where you don’t have to choose between science and soul. A place where it’s safe to ask, “Is there more we can look at?”
We don’t treat people like a diagnosis. We treat people. Period.
How Functional Psychiatry Fits In
Functional psychiatry is one of the pillars of our approach. It looks closely at how systems in the body, like your gut, thyroid, hormones, and immune function, affect brain health and mood.
We’ll often start with advanced lab work to get real answers. Some of the most common things we find include:
Low B12, iron, or magnesium
Inflammation from chronic stress or diet
Hormonal imbalances (especially in women)
Disrupted cortisol cycles
Gut dysbiosis or food sensitivities
These aren’t fringe issues. They’re often the missing links in anxiety, depression, ADHD, and burnout. And when we treat those root causes, the shift can be life-changing (seriously).
Holistic Psychiatry for Adults: What That Actually Means
The word “holistic” gets thrown around a lot, so here’s what it means to us:
It means looking beyond brain chemistry and addressing emotional, spiritual, and lifestyle needs, too. A few examples:
Someone with anxiety might benefit from nervous system regulation, protein-rich meals, and targeted breathwork.
Someone with depression may need help with sleep hygiene, gut support, and trauma processing, not just an SSRI.
A mom in burnout might need more than coping skills. She may need a workup on her hormones, a plan to stabilize blood sugar, and space to talk about the mental load she carries alone.
Holistic psychiatry is whole-person care. It respects your story and works with your biology.
Conditions Treated with Integrative Psychiatry
If you’re wondering whether this approach is right for you, here’s a snapshot of how we work with a few common concerns:
1. Depression & Anxiety
We explore what’s going on under the surface, whether that’s disrupted sleep, low vitamin D, gut inflammation, or past trauma. Treatment may include therapy, anti-inflammatory foods, targeted supplementation, medication, and mind-body tools like meditation or breathwork.
2. ADHD in Adults
Many adults with ADHD are handed a stimulant prescription and sent on their way. We dig deeper. We look at sleep, nutrition, blood sugar swings, sensory overload, and executive function. Our care plans often include a mix of coaching, omega-3s, mindfulness work, and gentle structure, not shame.
3. PTSD and Trauma Recovery
Trauma lives in the body. We use tools like EMDR, somatic therapy, polyvagal-informed care, and nervous system regulation techniques. You don’t have to keep retelling your story to feel better. You just need a space where your body feels safe again.
4. Sleep Disorders
If you’re chronically tired, waking up at 3am, or struggling to fall asleep, there’s a reason. We assess cortisol patterns, nighttime habits, nutrition, and other triggers. Care might include sleep hygiene coaching, herbs or supplements, blood sugar regulation, and nervous system support.
Tools We Use in Integrative Psychiatry
Nutrition & Functional Labs
What you eat affects how you feel. So we often recommend functional lab testing to check for nutrient depletion, food sensitivities, and metabolic dysfunction. From there, we guide you toward eating and supplementing in ways that support brain health.
Nervous System Support
We teach simple, science-backed ways to regulate your nervous system. Think:
Box breathing
Grounding techniques
Gentle movement
Biofeedback or guided meditations
These aren’t just “self-care” ideas. They’re tools that help your body stop living in fight-or-flight.
Therapy & Coaching
Talk therapy is still a core part of what we offer. But it’s not the only part. We also bring in coaching for executive function, trauma-focused modalities, somatic approaches, and lifestyle counseling. Every part of your care is designed to work together.
What to Expect from Integrative Psychiatry
1. The First Appointment
Expect a full 60–90 minutes with your provider. We’ll talk about your physical and mental health history, current symptoms, routines, nutrition, sleep, stress, and goals. We may recommend labs to explore your hormones, nutrients, or gut health. You’ll have space to ask questions, share your story, and help shape your plan.
2. Your Personalized Plan
No cookie-cutter recommendations here. Your plan might include therapy, targeted supplements, nutrition changes, movement practices, medication (if needed), and other tools. You’ll get clear next steps, and you’ll help guide the decisions.
3. Continued Support
Healing isn’t linear. We adjust your plan as you grow. You’ll have regular follow-ups and can connect with other members of our team (nutritionists, therapists, etc.) as needed. We don’t believe in quick fixes. We believe in ongoing care that respects your pace.
Finding the Right Integrative Psychiatrist
If you’re looking for someone trained in this kind of care, consider asking:
Do you integrate functional medicine or holistic tools?
Do you offer or order lab work?
How long are your appointments?
Will we collaborate on the care plan?
Are you trained in trauma-informed care?
Providers affiliated with groups like the Integrative Psychiatry Institute, the Institute for Functional Medicine, or the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine are a great place to start.
Or you can work with us. We’re here. We get it.
A Different Kind of Care
If you’ve felt brushed off, misdiagnosed, or stuck in the “try this pill and call me in six weeks” cycle, you’re not the problem.
We see you. We believe you. And we’ve built IHA for people like you.
Functional and holistic psychiatry for adults isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about offering real support rooted in science, lived experience, and deep respect for the human body. Your care should reflect your complexity. Your story deserves to be heard. And your symptoms are not the whole picture.
Ready for something different? We’d be honored to walk with you.
Learn more or book a consult at www.integrativehealthcarealliance.com.
