Over the past few years, we’ve seen a steady shift in behavioral health — away from strictly symptom-focused care and toward more integrative, whole-person models. One such approach gaining traction is holistic psychology: a method that considers the connection between the mind, body, and spirit in both diagnosis and treatment.
As a medical billing company that supports behavioral health practices, we understand that embracing holistic methods isn’t just a clinical decision — it also comes with billing, documentation, and reimbursement implications. Whether you’re already offering integrative therapies or just starting to explore this approach, here’s what you need to know.
Holistic psychology views mental health through a broader lens. It acknowledges that emotional well-being doesn’t exist in a vacuum — it’s influenced by physical health, lifestyle, spirituality, environment, and relationships.
Therapeutic practices under this model might include:
Traditional talk therapy
Mindfulness and meditation
Nutritional counseling
Yoga or movement therapy
Breathwork
Energy work or spiritual counseling
Somatic experiencing
These services often appeal to patients seeking natural, non-pharmaceutical, or trauma-informed approaches to care — especially those who’ve tried traditional therapy with limited results.
The holistic model is especially attractive in today’s environment where patients are more educated, wellness-minded, and eager to participate actively in their own healing.
This trend is being driven by:
Greater awareness of trauma and its physical impacts
The growing popularity of mindfulness and meditation
Increased research on the gut-brain connection and somatic therapies
A rising number of patients looking for alternatives to medication
Holistic psychology isn’t about rejecting traditional methods — it’s about expanding your toolkit to support deeper, more sustainable healing.
Here’s where things get a little more complex.
Many holistic therapies fall into a gray area when it comes to insurance coverage. While you may fully believe in their effectiveness — and so might your clients — payers are often slower to recognize and reimburse these services.
As your billing partner, here’s our advice:
Some holistic practices can be billed — depending on how they’re coded and who delivers the service. For example:
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can be billed using standard psychotherapy codes if properly documented.
Licensed professionals may integrate yoga, meditation, or nutrition discussions into sessions without using separate codes, as long as they support the primary treatment goals.
If you’re incorporating holistic elements, tie them to evidence-based models when possible. This helps justify medical necessity and improves your chances of reimbursement.
Energy work, reiki, spiritual counseling, or nutritional supplements are often not covered under mental health benefits. Many providers offer these services as cash-pay or package options — which is completely fine, as long as it’s clearly separated from insurance-based treatment in documentation and billing.
Even if you’re blending modalities, the golden rule remains: document the therapeutic intent and clinical justification. If you’re using yoga as part of trauma work, say so. If breathwork is part of a treatment plan for anxiety, make it explicit.
Clients appreciate transparency. Let them know which services are insurance-eligible and which are not. Providing detailed intake paperwork and a financial policy can reduce confusion and protect your practice.
We know that expanding your offerings to include holistic or integrative services is about more than business — it’s about giving your clients the best possible care.
And we’re here to make sure that the business side doesn’t get in your way.
Whether you need help navigating insurance coverage, streamlining your documentation, or setting up hybrid billing models for cash-pay services, we’re ready to support you as you grow.
Want to talk through how to bill for holistic services in your practice? Contact us today for a free strategy session.