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Applying Stanford’s Model for Holistic Recovery

Tawnya Weaver

Corban University

Abnormal Psychology

Dominique Sotelo, PhD, LMFT, ACS

October 17, 2023

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Introduction

Jackson is a 45-year-old male who has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder

(PTSD), which has stemmed from traumatic experiences while on tour in Afghanistan. The

patient is experiencing recurrent experiences, an alteration in cognitions and mood, an alteration

in arousal and reactivity, and avoidance of stimuli. After retiring from the Marine Corps, the

patient has tried transitioning into civilian life. However, because of his PTSD, he is struggling

with anxiety, hypervigilance, and irritability. He finds it difficult to manage relationships at work

and in social settings, causing him to withdraw and isolate himself. His symptoms of PTSD have

also affected his home life and have put a strain on his family. Due to the fear of being

stigmatized and looking weak, Jackson has not pursued any mental health treatment and says he

can handle it alone. Jackson has a religious background and was raised in a Christian household;

however, he finds it challenging to connect with his faith but still maintains connections with his

local church community because he feels that he is obligated, and it is looked at as just a place

that he is familiar with. This paper will discuss the patient’s current diagnosis of PTSD and

provide insights on a more holistic approach for the patient to receive medical care inside and

outside of a medical facility, including addressing the mental health challenges that Jackson is

facing and how a more holistic approach can be successful in relieving the symptoms of PTSD in

Jackson’s life and reinforce the relationships around Jackson for a more impactful recovery.

Overview of Stanford's Model for Holistic Recovery

Dr. Matthew Stanford’s holistic recovery model focuses on the physical symptoms of mental

illness and the person as a whole. We were created as multifaceted beings. Doctor Stanford's

model provides a holistic approach to healing by providing care for the physical, mental,
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spiritual, and relational aspects of one’s diagnosis. Focusing on one's recovery with a holistic

approach and covering the mental, spiritual, relational, and physical elements provides a more

thorough healing process than simply providing medications to suppress the symptoms of what a

disorder may manifest. Since our bodies are not just physical beings, Dr. Stanford's model

provides a broader healing to our bodies, with an additional reach to relationships outside of

ourselves.

Analysis of the Case Study

Dr. Stanford's holistic recovery model combines the following points in recovery: physical well-

being, mental well-being, spiritual well-being, and relational well-being. If we look at the

relevant case study, we can see the areas that Jackson is suffering in each one of these areas.

Physical- Flashbacks, nightmares, sleep disturbances, anxiety, irritability. Due to the symptoms

of PTSD and the beliefs that Jackson has adopted, he is suffering with his physical well-being.

Mental- Anxiety, hypervigilance, irritability, fear. Jackson is struggling with his thoughts, which

are taking over; he is suffering from a lack of mental well-being, affecting his life.

Spiritual- Doubt in God's goodness, no connection with God, false view of justice. Jackson does

not have God as the center of his life and, therefore, lacks healing in his innermost parts.

Relational- Ridged, difficulties relaxing and engaging with colleagues. Family dynamics are

strained, hypervigilance, overprotective, and tension in the home. Anxiety makes him isolate and

withdraw, and he appears unreliable and flakey. Due to these symptoms, Jackson lacks deep

connections to people and is suffering in his relational well-being. Symptoms overlap in other

areas as we are one being with many parts. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 states that we were all created

with three parts—a spirit, a soul, and a body: “And the God of peace Himself sanctify you
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wholly and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame, at the

coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The mental health challenges that Jackson faces are vast. As the patient has returned from his

tour in Afghanistan, he is facing severe symptoms of PTSD that are affecting him in all areas of

his life: physical, mental, spiritual, and relational. This can be highly overwhelming for one who

is already crippled by the symptoms of PTSD. Jackson is not only trying to manage the

uncontrollable symptoms of PTSD but is also dealing with the stigma of struggling with mental

illness. Due to the fear that he will be judged, he has felt that he cannot get professional help and

has been trying to manage symptoms on his own, which has not proven successful and is putting

pressure on his relationships. Jackson does not feel at peace in the church environment and has

not been able to receive the inner healing that he could benefit from. His mental well-being is

affected as he deals with everything happening and sees little relief from symptoms. Jackson has

the real possibility of slipping into a depressive state and even becoming suicidal if he does not

seek help.

Let us look at each one of the models of Sandford’s holistic approach to recovery:

Physical well-being includes the physical body in which we live. The body in which we interact

with the world around us. Our bodies are made up of the parts in which we can relate to the

world around us through interactions that will be sent to and interpreted by our brain. These

interactions are discovered through our taste, touch, smell, sight, and hearing. These sensations

are transmitted to our brains and evaluated to create a response that forms our thoughts, feelings,

emotions, and behaviors. Physical health is an essential aspect of mental health recovery.

Choosing to live an active life, having good nutrition, sleep habits, and routine medical care help

contribute to the ongoing care of mental health symptoms. Physical exercise affects our mental
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health by decreasing depression and anxiety, decreasing stress, increasing self-esteem and self-

confidence, and improving sleep. It also boosts our brain by building intelligence to strengthen

memory and prevents cognitive decline by strengthening the hippocampus. (Walden University

n.d.)

Mental well-being includes our feelings, thoughts, and emotions. How we feel, think, and

perceive determines what we do and how we act. The benefit of mental well-being encompasses

many factors like feeling good about ourselves, being able to function both individually and

relationally, the skills to deal with ups and downs in life, a sense of connection to those around

us, and feeling that you have purpose and are valued. We must understand that mental well-being

does not always mean being happy but a positive understanding of managing and coping with

negative feelings. Our mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-

being. Mental well-being is essential at every stage in life, from childhood and adolescence

through adulthood. Within the treatments of mental well-being, there are many therapeutic

approaches. One such is cognitive behavioral therapy CBT, which is a sort of cognitive

restructuring where you replace negative thought patterns with positive thought patterns. Many

treatments can teach us valuable tools for understanding our emotions and the triggers we may

negatively react to. Through psychological therapies, we can learn skills to manage our emotions

better. A vital area of mental well-being is the process of forgiveness. Many of our thoughts and

feelings stem from unforgiveness because of pain and hurts caused by other people through

trauma. Finding the roots of our behaviors and choosing to forgive others releases us from the

bonds of being a victim. Forgiveness is vital to healing our bodies mentally, physically,

spiritually, and relationally.

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Spiritual well-being consists of the innermost parts of man. We are spirit beings created by God

through the breath of His Spirit. The spirit is the part of us that can connect to God. The spirit is

made more into His image by sanctification. Faith communities and spiritual practice are

essential in providing hope and purpose to individuals. Being a member of a church body can be

a tool to heal individuals feeling outcasted. Being a part of a spiritual community can provide

comfort and strength to individuals struggling with mental health issues. Our spirit is connected

to the God who created us, completes us, and loves us in a way no human can ever comprehend.

In faith communities’ individuals who lack the confidence that they are loved and can be loved

can find hope and assurance. Within spiritual well-being lies the reality of the healing through

the forgiveness of those who have hurt us. When we choose not to forgive, we give permission to

be given over to the tormenters. Matthew 18: 21-25

Relational well-being we were created to be in relationships. First, with God. We have a sense

of emptiness when God is not known. The need for connection was also displayed when Adam

was alone in the garden, and God saw that he needed a helpmate. We are created to be with

people; the church should be the ultimate example of a relationship. Within relationships,

individuals can build strong communities where they can form supportive relationships and

receive understanding, compassion, and empathy from others. When individuals feel like they

are part of a community and have support, they can open up and dig deeper into the root of

specific situations affecting other areas of their well-being. Having community helps social

engagement as individuals feel comfortable around others because they know they will not be

judged. Supportive relationships are essential to recovery since a person struggling with a mental

illness will withdraw and isolate if they do not feel like they belong or are being judged. When

people are socially connected and have stable and supportive relationships, they are more likely
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to make healthy choices and have better mental and physical health outcomes. They can also

better cope with hard times, stress, anxiety, and depression. (CDC, 2023) Included in relational

well-being is the importance of serving others. Relationships are dual-sided, and it is crucial that

one suffering from mental illness realize that serving their community and social relationships is

vital to their health and mental health recovery. People who look outward rather than inward gain

a sense of self-purpose and self-worth by empowering others. When someone hyper-focus’ on

their own needs, they can become entangled in their own life's woes, causing depression, but

when one stops and looks outside of themselves, they can begin to see the beauty of a

relationship.

Receiving healing in all four areas is extremely important in the body's overall recovery. The

body is the one that reacts to the external environment. We use our minds to perceive

information, understand, and interpret our surroundings. The mind forms our thoughts and plans

out our actions. Our spirit connects to God and works to transform the mind into the very image

of Christ. This interaction with our being allows us to be involved in healthy, meaningful

relationships with others. (Stanford, M. 2017). Treatment in all four areas is a holistic approach

to healing.

It is essential also to address the fact that recovery is nonlinear. This means that recovery is

continual growth and an improvement in functioning that may also involve setbacks. One will

not constantly be advancing in their healing, but they inevitably would, as part of their recovery

process, experience setbacks. Teaching individuals and family members that there is the reality

that there will be setbacks in the healing process is vital so that they can gain the proper tools

needed to build resilience in challenging situations. Patience and perseverance are the foundation

of building resiliency to unforeseen delays in recovery. Extending yourself or family members

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extending grace to those who have mental illness is essential in preventing a relapse or

termination of seeking treatment. When one builds a foundation on patience and perseverance,

one can, in the face of adversity or difficulty, see the positive and potential future outcome of

continuing forward and not being stuck looking at their failure. Looking at their failure will only

reinforce the negative cognitions that one is already facing.

Application of Stanford's Model to the Case Study

Looking back at Jackson and our case study, let us apply Dr. Stanford's holistic approach to

recovery and how the patient can address the identified challenges and potential barriers in using

this holistic model to his recovery. Rather than providing the patient with

psychopharmacological treatment options, which provide some relief, this model offers a more

holistic treatment option.

Jackson is struggling with physical manifestations due to his diagnosis of PTSD. These

symptoms affect his daily life and mental health, causing maladaptive thinking. For Jackson, the

first step to his recovery is to help him see that seeking help is not a sign of weakness.

Psychoeducation for his family, friends, and church is essential to his recovery. Educating the

patient’s community is foundational to recovering Jackson's relational well-being. We are made

to be in a community, and when Jackson feels a sense of belonging, it will be easier for him to let

his guard down and know that he can trust that those around him can be trusted and that he will

not be seen as inferior if he seeks help. Once Jackson has decided to seek help from a medical

professional or clergy, the first step in recovery should be psychotherapy. Medical professionals

should begin with exposure therapy, Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or both. The church

can provide a similar type of biblical counseling for the patient as well. The church must be

equipped to handle people who have mental illness. According to the Substance Abuse and
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Mental Health Services Administration (2020), one in five adults in the United States suffers

from some form of mental illness. Among those who seek treatment for their mental illness,

approximately 25% turn to a member of the clergy to get help (Wang et al., 2003). Whether with

a medical professional or a clergy member, Jackson will benefit from facing his maladjusted

thoughts and having his negative thought patterns and beliefs aligned with truth. Aligning the

patients’ thoughts with truth is a step towards spiritual and mental well-being. When the patient

can decipher between false perceived ideas and truth, this will help in moments of anxiety,

perceived danger, and social settings. It is essential to address the patient's mental and spiritual

well-being first, as these areas are the ones that directly lead to his physical behaviors. Providing

cognitive restructuring in helping the patient see where he may believe specific negative

perspectives will provide an opportunity for change. As the patient continues in positive thought

patterns, he will be able to recognize the value of the relationships before him, the role his

church community plays in his life, and how his friends and family are supportive of him. As

Jackson receives treatment in all four areas of his life, he will see a noticeable difference in his

daily functioning and overall feelings. As a second line of treatment, if Jackson continues to

struggle with daily function and is declining into a depressive state or suicidal while actively

participating in cognitive treatment options, he may be prescribed selective serotonin reuptake

inhibitors (SSRIs). Approved SSRIs can help symptoms of depression and anxiety and help

improve sleep problems and concentration. (Mayo Clinic. 2022)

Expected Outcomes and Benefits

Following Stanford's holistic approach to healing allows Jackson to heal in a broader, more

profound way. Receiving treatment for his whole person, physical, mental, spiritual, and

relational, sets the patient up for a healthier, more lasting outcome. Without providing Jackson
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with a holistic approach to healing, Jackson may not gain the confidence to step out

independently and seek help. The benefits outweigh any potential drawbacks or challenges that

he may face. Helping the patient see that there is a strong community around him that is not

judgmental and is willing to extend patience and perseverance to his situation will allow Jackson

to receive the best possible outcome in treatment for his diagnosis of PTSD. Focusing on Jackson

as a person and not an illness is vital to his recovery.

Conclusion

Dr. Stanford's holistic recovery model does not focus simply on treating the physical symptoms

of a mental illness patient. It teaches us that the church is responsible for providing care and

support to all who are sick, whether it is a disease we are familiar with or a condition we are

skeptical of. Dr. Stanford shows us that mental illness is indeed an illness of an organ, and that

organ is the brain. Medical professionals can treat individuals with mental illness but lack the

tools to be genuinely healed in mind, body, and spirit. God has created us as multi-faceted

beings, and to receive healing in its fullness, we must apply healing methods to all self. As the

church, we must accept that mental illness is not a sin, and those suffering from it should not be

stigmatized and outcasted by the place with the answer for healing. It is our responsibility as

friends, family, and the church to bring healing to the hurting, and those suffering should be

treated with honor, dignity, and respect because God created us. We need physical, mental,

spiritual, and relational healing. Those with mental illness can receive a more holistic, more

profound transformation by receiving treatment in these four areas.

By receiving holistic care, Jackson can better contribute to society, re-integrate into social

settings, and strengthen his relationships at home and church. A holistic approach to recovery has
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the potential to impact not only the one receiving the treatments but also those around them who

will be affected by it.

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References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (March 23, 2023) How Does Social Connectedness

Affect Mental Health? https://www.cdc.gov/emotional-wellbeing/social-

connectedness/affect-health.htm

Stanford, M. (2017) Grace for the Afflicted. InterVarsity Press

Mayo Clinic. (December 13, 2022) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/diagnosis-

treatment/drc-20355973

Walden University. (n.d.) Five Mental Benefits of Exercise

https://www.waldenu.edu/online-bachelors-programs/bs-in-psychology/resource/five-

mental-benefits-of-exercise

Wang, P. S., Berglund, P. A., & Kessler, R. C. (2003). Patterns and correlates of contacting clergy

for mental disorders in the United States. Health services research, 38(2), 647–673.

https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.00138