Casting Stigma Aside and Embracing Holistic Healing
- Brainz Magazine
- 1 hour ago
- 6 min read
Written by Lorraine Kenlock, Holistic Psychotherapist
Lorraine Kenlock is a Turks & Caicos-based psychotherapist specializing in trauma, ADHD, and mind-body nutrition. With advanced training in EMDR and somatic therapies, she helps clients across the Caribbean heal through culturally-attuned online and in-person sessions."
Mental Health Awareness Month is more than just a campaign, it’s a profound call to action, a reminder that mental well-being is not only essential but also foundational to living a fulfilling and meaningful life. Despite significant progress in recent years, the shadow of stigma still lingers, subtly whispering shame into the ears of those who struggle. It tells them their pain is a burden, their emotions too messy, and their needs too much. But the truth is, mental health challenges are not personal flaws, they are a natural part of the human experience. Healing begins when we collectively cast aside stigma and embrace care that honours the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.
The heavy shadow of stigma
Stigma is insidious. It thrives in silence, misunderstanding, and fear, often manifesting in ways so subtle they go unquestioned. A dismissive comment like “Just think positive!” from a well-meaning friend, a workplace culture that glorifies burnout under the guise of dedication, or the pervasive belief that therapy is only for people with “serious” mental illnesses, all of these attitudes create invisible barriers that prevent people from seeking help until they reach a breaking point.
The problem with this mindset is that it frames mental health as binary: you’re either “fine” or you’re in crisis. But mental health exists on a spectrum, just like physical health. You wouldn’t tell someone with a persistent cough to wait until it develops into pneumonia before seeing a doctor, yet this is precisely how we often treat emotional distress. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, chronic stress, these are not moral failings or signs of weakness. They are usually the body’s natural response to trauma, loss, systemic pressures, or even unaddressed physiological imbalances.
Breaking the cycle of stigma requires intentional action:
Normalising conversations about mental health in everyday spaces, workplaces, schools, families, so that seeking help feels as natural as going to the gym or seeing a dentist.
Challenging harmful myths, like the idea that therapy is “just complaining” or that medication is a “crutch” rather than a legitimate form of treatment.
Leading with empathy, recognising that everyone’s struggle looks different and that we cannot measure pain on a universal scale.
When we shift from judgment to curiosity, from shame to compassion, we create space for real healing to take root.
Why trauma-informed care is essential
Understanding trauma is not just an intellectual exercise, it’s a pathway to relief. Many traditional therapy models focus primarily on cognition, operating under the assumption that changing thoughts will lead to changed feelings. While this approach can be helpful for some, it often falls short for those with trauma, particularly developmental or complex trauma, because trauma doesn’t just live in the mind; it embeds itself in the nervous system, reshaping how we breathe, move, and respond to the world around us.
A trauma-informed somatic therapist understands this deeply. They recognise that trauma survivors often experience a profound disconnection from their bodies, vacillating between numbness and overwhelming sensation. Somatic therapy addresses this by:
Restoring a sense of safety in the body through grounding techniques, mindful movement, and breathwork, practices that help clients reconnect with the present moment.
Releasing trapped tension that manifests as chronic pain, digestive issues, or panic responses, physical echoes of unprocessed trauma.
Rebuilding trust in bodily sensations so that clients no longer fear their own emotions but learn to navigate them with compassion.
This approach doesn’t replace traditional therapies, it enhances them, creating a more complete framework for healing.
The power of integrating CBT and IFS
While somatic therapy addresses the body's role in mental health, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) offer structured, evidence-based approaches to reframing thoughts and healing internal conflicts.CBT is particularly effective for identifying and challenging distorted thinking patterns, like catastrophising (“Everything will go wrong”) or black-and-white thinking (“I’m a total failure”), that fuel anxiety and depression. By examining the evidence for and against these thoughts, clients can develop more balanced perspectives.IFS, on the other hand, takes a radically compassionate view of the psyche. It recognises that even our most painful behaviours, whether self-criticism, avoidance, or addiction, are not flaws but protective “parts” trying to help in the only way they know how. By understanding and dialoguing with these parts, we can heal them rather than wage war against ourselves.
When combined with somatic work, these modalities create a full-spectrum approach to healing:
Body awareness (somatic therapy) to process stored trauma and regulate the nervous system.
Cognitive restructuring (CBT) to shift harmful thought loops that perpetuate distress.
Internal compassion (IFS) to heal fractured self-identity and cultivate self-acceptance.
This trifecta allows for profound, sustainable transformation, far beyond mere symptom management.
The missing link: Nutrition and mental health
The brain and body are not separate entities; they are deeply interconnected. Yet, mental health care has historically overlooked the critical role of nutrition in mood, energy, and resilience. Emerging research continues to reveal startling connections:
The gut-brain axis: Approximately 90% of serotonin, a neurotransmitter crucial for mood regulation, is produced in the gut. Imbalances in gut bacteria (dysbiosis) have been linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression.
Blood sugar instability: Rapid spikes and crashes in blood sugar can mimic or exacerbate anxiety symptoms, leading to irritability, fatigue, and brain fog.
Nutrient deficiencies: Low levels of B vitamins (especially B12 and folate), magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D are consistently associated with increased risk of depression and cognitive decline.
A therapist trained in nutrition integration doesn’t push restrictive diets or shame clients for their eating habits. Instead, they explore:
How substances like caffeine, alcohol, or highly processed foods may be dysregulating the nervous system.
Whether blood sugar swings contribute to mood instability or energy crashes throughout the day.
Simple, sustainable ways to nourish the brain, such as prioritising protein, healthy fats, and hydration, without fostering an all-or-nothing mindset.
This isn’t about achieving dietary perfection, it’s about recognising how small, intentional shifts in eating habits can profoundly impact emotional stability and overall well-being.
A new vision for mental health care
Healing is not one-size-fits-all. For some, traditional talk therapy may be sufficient. But for others, particularly those with trauma, chronic stress, or treatment-resistant depression, a holistic, trauma-informed approach can be truly transformative. Imagine mental health care that:
Honours your body’s wisdom through somatic therapy, helping you release trauma stored in your tissues.
Calms your anxious mind with CBT techniques that challenge unhelpful thought patterns.
Heals your inner self-criticism through IFS, fostering self-compassion and integration.
Fuels your brain for resilience with nutrition awareness, ensuring your body has the building blocks it needs to thrive.
This is the future of mental health care: personalised, compassionate, and grounded in science.
You deserve support, just as you are
If you’ve ever found yourself thinking:
“I should be stronger.”
“My problems aren’t bad enough for therapy.”
“I’ve tried everything, and nothing helps.”
This is your reminder: Healing is not about toughness, it’s about tenderness. You don’t have to wait until you’re “sick enough” to seek help. You don’t have to force yourself into a therapy model that doesn’t resonate with you. And you certainly don’t have to navigate this journey alone.
This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s redefine what care looks like. Let’s celebrate the courage it takes to reach out for support. And let’s continue advocating for a world where mental health is treated with the same urgency, respect, and nuance as physical health, because they are inseparable.
You are not broken. You are human. And healing is possible.
If you’re considering therapy, a trauma-informed somatic therapist (especially one trained in CBT, IFS, and nutrition) may offer the integrated, compassionate support you’ve been seeking. You deserve care that sees all of you and helps you not just survive but thrive.
Read more from Lorraine Kenlock
Lorraine Kenlock, Holistic Psychotherapist
Lorraine Kenlock is a psychotherapist specializing in trauma, ADHD, and the mind-body connection, with a unique focus on Caribbean mental health. Blending EMDR, nutritional psychology, and culturally attuned therapy, she helps clients heal from chronic pain, grief, and shame—both in Turks & Caicos and online. Her groundbreaking work bridges island traditions with modern neuroscience, offering a fresh perspective on resilience.
