Psychotherapy has two main goals. The first one is curative, such as resolving existing psychological problem. The second goal is maintaining mental hygiene and achieving self-knowledge and personal improvement. Much the same way as physical exercise serves to maintain the body, psychotherapy is means of caring for the soul. 

Not all therapeutic methods achieve the aforementioned goals successfully. However, Holotropic Therapy, freed from the restrictions of older theoretical concepts, is considerably more successful. 

The main application domains of the Holotropic Psychotherapy are:

Treatment

·       Anxiety disorders (panic disorder/panic attacks, generalized anxiety, agoraphobia, claustrophobia)

·       Affective disorders (depression, mania, cyclothymia, disthymia)

·      Adaptation disorders (acute stress reaction, post-traumatic stress disorder)

·       Chronic fatigue syndrome

·       Eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia)

·       Dissociative/conversion disorders (“hysteria”, amnesia, sensory and motor function deficits, psychogenic seizures)

·       Functional sexual disorders

·       Obsessive-compulsive disorders (recurrent thoughts and actions)

·      Somatoform disorders (physical symptoms without physiological origin). Hypochondria.

·      Inorganic sleep disorders (insomnia, night fears, nightmares, somnambulism)

·      Substance abuse, including tobacco, alcohol as well as non-addictive substances.

·       Personality disorders

·      Psychosomatic disorders (primary pulmonary hypertension, ulcers, asthma, diabetes, neurodermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis)

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Development 

·      Authenticity and spontaneity. From early childhood we experience psychological pressure. It has its goal to develop some qualities and to suppress others considered undesirable. When this pressure exceeds educationally acceptable limits our personality begins to reflect less and less our authentic nature. Slowly we become what others expect us to be, as oppose to what we truly are. Holotropic Therapy helps us regain our true self, which we experience as the true happiness of coming home to ourselves. 

·      Unconditional self-acceptance and positive self-image. Another result of the psychological pressure to which we are subjected is the conviction that the self, per se, is not worthy of respect and love; that in order to be accepted we must change something in ourselves. Gradually such rejection becomes second nature, at the expense of self-acceptance and self-love. Holotropic Therapy encourages self-appreciation, and the realization that we are beautiful and lovable just as we are; that our qualities and limitations equally create our uniqueness. 

·      Proactive life HERE and NOW.  Life in the 21st century more than ever before is oriented toward the future and the vision of things to come. Constant thirst for success and achievements originates from dissatisfaction with life itself. Future moments are burdened with expectations and are given the function to realize our lives – our self will be real in the future, our desired successes lie in the future, it is in the future where life from our dreams is. We live passively, somewhere there and then. Holotropic Therapy is the way to experience life in the only reality, which we factually witness; and to feel the satisfaction from fully lived moments, unburdened by that which no longer exist, or has not yet happened; to savor life HERE and NOW. 

·       Authentic communication and emotional connectedness. One of the most painful aspects of unsatisfactory life is the feeling of loneliness. Often the reason for our isolation is the inability to communicate effectively, not so much on the intellectual as much as on the emotional level. The ability to connect with others, to give and to receive love is absolutely needed for happy and harmonious life. In helping us to be more ourselves and to like ourselves better Holotropic Therapy makes it easier for us to accept and like other people the way they are. A qualitative change in the way we relate to others directly influences their attitude towards us. 

·      Positive thinking. We often think that life affects our thoughts unidirectionally - what happens determines our thinking. If we are experiencing difficulties we expect a change in circumstances to bring us peace and happiness. The truth is that our life and the way we think continuously interact in a mutually reinforcing way. Just as misfortunes never come alone, so do positive events depend on our positive attitude. Holotropic Therapy leads to changes in thought patterns influencing the way in which our life unfolds. 

·      Stress reduction and psychological stability. Stress is not an inseparable part of life as is commonly thought nowadays. Stress is a discomfort resulting from our inability to adapt to changes in our immediate environment. It is often found in modern society not only due to the acceleration of daily life but more so due to our inability to identify with deep and meaningful aspects of ourselves, and to draw strength from our inner source. In this way the self is deprived of a healthy foundation and stability. Holotropic Therapy facilitates direct contact with our inner center which is not influenced by external circumstances. Through relating to that center we restore a sense of security and control in situations which used to destabilize us. 

·      Increasing motivation and success. The self and its psychological state are reflected in our work and public affairs. Moreover, our professional activity is a deciding factor in the quality of our life. In this way if we are not whole, our motivation is low and the results of our work suffer. Holotropic Therapy helps the self to find wholeness, and in so doing allows us to fully unfold our potential in public; to let us once again perceive work as self-realization, bringing us benefits, satisfaction and the success we deserve. 

·     Fostering creativity. Creativity is an intrinsic element of our human nature. Often in the process of self fragmentation we become isolated from this very part that finds the path to higher spheres through beauty. In this way the impulse for self-expression is suppressed and the channel that connects us to the transcendental is blocked. The individual loses one of the tools for spiritual renewal. By means of Holotropic Therapy we harmoniously integrate all our aspects including the Higher Self. The life impulse is resurrected, stimulating us to reach towards beauty and divinity in the world around us.

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