As a psychologist, I used to think I had all the answers. Therapy, Check. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Check. Mindfulness, Double check.
I was armed with my trusty toolkit, convinced that healing was just a matter of following the right steps like step one, step two, boom, transformation happened.
And then… COVID happened.
When Life Says, “Hold My Coffee”
Picture this: it’s 2020, the lockdown hits, and suddenly, I’m not the calm, collected therapist with all the answers. I’m the human who’s struggling with health issues, a never-ending list of allergies, and a body that’s deciding it’s rogue. Fun fact: I discovered I’m allergic to paracetamol-yes, that paracetamol, the one we all rely on.
That’s when it hit me-if even basic medicine isn’t one-size-fits-all, why on earth would I think healing could be???
Breaking My Bubble - Therapy Is Not a Magic Bullet
Before all of this, I was a therapy activist. I thought it was the magic bullet for everyone. The assumption was simple: “If therapy works for me, it should work for everyone, right?”
Wrong.
I had this comforting belief that all someone needed was the right therapist, the right framework, and a sprinkle of personal insight, and voila-change would happen. But guess what? Healing isn’t a straight line. It’s more like a maze with unexpected detours, dead-ends, and sometimes, the path is unclear. Not everyone’s journey looks the same, and that’s a humbling truth I had to learn the hard way.
For one person, therapy might work wonders. For another, it might just not be enough-or it might even feel like a mismatch. Some might need the powerful combination of energy healing, counseling, psychotherapy, reiki and hypnotherapy etc.
For others, healing comes through a mix of approaches, a blend of tools, and modalities that speak to them in a way traditional therapy never could.
I had to learn that healing isn’t about following a rigid script. There’s no magic step-by-step manual that guarantees success. Sure, therapy can help many people, but it doesn’t solve everything. I’ve had clients who’ve been in therapy for years, and while they make progress, they still feel something’s missing. Maybe they’re carrying energy blockages they can’t release with talk therapy alone. Or maybe their mental health issues are rooted in something deeper, something spiritual, emotional, or even ancestral.
So, why would I assume that the “right way” to heal is one-size-fits-all?
That’s when I started thinking outside the therapy room. Maybe someone needs to try something else-a different approach, a more holistic modality. And maybe, just maybe, my role as a psychologist wasn’t to “fix” them, but to help them explore what truly resonates with their own healing journey.
Exploring New Paths
With my own health challenges forcing me to re-evaluate everything, I stepped outside my comfort zone. Therapy kept me grounded, yes, but I also started experimenting with other approaches. Energy healing, for example, deepened my connection between my body and mind in ways I hadn’t expected. It allowed me to release stored emotions that were physically manifesting as illness. I also explored hypnotherapy, which uncovered hidden issues I didn’t even know
existed-like those sneaky subconscious patterns holding me back from fully embracing healing.
It wasn’t a quick fix. It wasn’t a neat and tidy process. But it was real.
Each modality played a role in my healing. Therapy helped me process my thoughts. Energy healing brought balance to my emotions and spirit. Hypnotherapy unlocked buried traumas and fears. These different practices didn’t cancel each other out-they enhanced each other.
Our Education System Needs a Makeover Even Healing System Too
While I was on this journey, it struck me how different healing can be for everyone. So why don’t we start learning about this earlier? Why do we wait until adulthood-or until we’re forced to confront our health issues-to explore different healing modalities?
Imagine if our schools taught mindfulness, emotional resilience, or stress management alongside algebra. Why don’t we learn how to deal with life’s hiccups, like breakups, anxiety, or even physical illness, in school?
Instead, we’re expected to fit into rigid boxes, learn in one specific way, and “solve” our issues within the confines of traditional methods.
We need to rethink how we educate the next generation. Let’s teach them that it’s okay to explore different paths, that healing doesn’t look the same for everyone, and that sometimes, it’s okay to try a variety of tools to find what works.
I Went All In-Over 20 Modalities Later
I didn’t stop at just one or two approaches. Oh no, I dove deep into over 20 healing modalities, From energy work to hypnotherapy, from astrology to vastu and many more , I explored them all. And let me tell you, each one has its strengths-and its limits.
I started asking questions like, “What would happen if we could merge the best of both worlds-psychology and energy work?” or “What if we combined the practical with the mystical?” The answer wasn’t clear-cut, but it was revealing. Some approaches helped me on certain days, while others worked better on others. It was all about experimenting and finding what felt right for me at the time.
And here’s the kicker: no single approach works for everyone. That’s why collaboration is key. No one person has all the answers, and that’s okay. It’s about building a team of experts-working together, learning from each other, and respecting each modality’s unique contribution.
Imagine a World Where Healers Truly Collaborate.
Alright, picture this: a world where healers-whether you're a psychologist, energy healer, acupuncturist, or hypnotherapist-are working together, like the Avengers of the wellness world. Each one of us bringing our unique superpower to the table, respecting the magic in every modality. And instead of fighting over whose method is the best, we pool our knowledge to create the ultimate healing experience for the person in front of us.
Sounds like a movie script, right? But here's the thing-it shouldn’t just be a dream. It should be our reality. Imagine a world where collaboration isn’t just encouraged, but actively sought out. Imagine healers talking with one another, exchanging insights, and building interdisciplinary approaches to help people heal from all angles.
In a world where ego doesn’t drive our work, we can focus on what the person needs, not what we think they should need. A multidisciplinary approach that’s flexible and responsive, where we meet people where they are in their journey-not force them to fit into a one-size-fits-all box.
Ditch the Ego and the "My Method is Better" Mentality
As healers, we get it. We’ve put in the hours, we’ve earned our badges of expertise. But here’s the truth bomb: our first priority isn’t to defend the method we’ve mastered like a knight in shining armor. It’s not about saying, “Hey, my way is the only way!” It’s not about proving our worth through our knowledge of a specific modality.
Our real job? It’s all about the person on the other side of the chair (or table, or couch… you get it). Their healing is what matters most, not proving that our way is superior. If I’m honest enough with myself, I’ll admit there are times when someone might need something beyond what I specialize in-and that’s totally okay.
Healing Isn’t About Us-It’s About Them
Healing isn't about our ego. (Sorry, but it’s true.) It’s about being real, compassionate, and creating a safe, non-judgmental space for people to open up. It’s about being humble enough to say, “You know what? This other modality might work better for you.” That’s when the real magic happens-when we collaborate, not compete. When we accept that no one approach fits everyone, and that’s not just okay-it’s perfect.
Because at the end of the day, being a healer isn’t about looking cool or proving you're the most knowledgeable one in the room. It’s about helping people feel whole and at peace.
And let’s face it-that’s why we got into this in the first place, right? To help, not to boast. So let’s ditch the competition and embrace the team effort. Because the best healing comes from joining forces, not standing solo.
The Takeaway
Healing is personal, messy, and rarely a straight line. But it’s also deeply rewarding. Whether it’s therapy, energy healing, or something else, the key is to stay open to what works for the individual.
And if you’re allergic to paracetamol-or life’s equivalent-don’t panic. There’s always another way. Sometimes, you just need to explore, trust the process, and remember that healing isn’t about finding the “right” way; it’s about finding your way. So, keep exploring, keep questioning, and above all, keep healing.
Resource: Priyanka Balhara
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