Holistic Psychiatry From Theory to Practice in Mental Health Care

Introduction Part I: Theory  1. The Nature of Mind and Mental Disorder  2. Reductionist Psychiatry  3. The Holistic Approach  Part II: Practice  4. Dialogical Space  5. Special Topics  6. Reorganizing Mental Health Systems  7. Challenges of the Holistic Framework  Part III: Research and the Future of Holistic Mental Health Care  8. Recap of Reductionist Research in Psychiatry, Its Challenges, and Ways Forward  9. Holistic Research on Mental Health Care and Services  10. Evidence for Holistic Care  11. Conclusion and Future Directions  Appendices

Biography

Tomi Bergström, PhD, is a psychologist and adjunct professor of clinical psychology with extensive clinical experience in Open Dialogue at Keropudas Psychiatric Hospital and a research focus on holistic approaches at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland.

“This clear and courageous book starts from a simple but often ignored question: what changes when mental suffering is no longer broken down into symptoms, diagnoses, and protocols, but taken seriously as a human, relational, and contextual experience? Tomi Bergström shows why reductionist psychiatry has reached its limits and weaves philosophy, clinical practice, and systems thinking into a coherent alternative that is neither vague nor idealistic, but precise and workable. Written for professionals and policymakers who sense that the current system no longer fits, the book offers language, direction, and practical grounding for a mental health care system that takes complexity seriously without losing sight of the person.”

Jim van Os, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Division Leader at Utrecht University Medical Center, the Netherlands

“This book presents an exceptionally clear, accurate and well-argued diagnosis of the conceptual issues at the heart of modern-day mental health work. Bergström does not dismiss the currently dominant reductionist approach but makes a compelling case for its limitations when confronted with the messy complexity of this work. Progress in mental health care will depend on our ability to move towards the sort of holistic framework that he describes. This book should be essential reading for mental health professionals everywhere!”

Pat Bracken, PhD, Independent Consultant Psychiatrist

“Having a background in the Open Dialogue approach, Tomi Bergström provides an extraordinary analysis of the problems of reductionistic thinking in the development of mental health practices. This topic has not been analyzed sufficiently to understand why, within the mainstream tradition of psychiatry, inadequate conclusions are often drawn both about the nature of mental health problems and about the interventions needed. The problem lies in focusing too much on psychopathological aspects of mental suffering, without recognizing mental health crises as responses of individuals under severe stress. From this perspective, Bergström introduces a holistic view in which human resources are recognized as central to surviving stressful situations in life. Recommended reading for professionals, service users, family members, and all who are interested in finding alternatives to over-medicalization.”

Jaakko Seikkula, PhD, Professor of Psychotherapy (emeritus) at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland