A holistic therapist does not just treat the symptom: they look at a person's body, mind, and daily routine as one whole. In Brazil, this is not a fringe idea sitting outside the healthcare system. Since 2006, the public health system (SUS) has had an official policy for it, the National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices (PNPIC), which in 2023 reached 7.1 million people across 4,640 municipalities, 83% of the total (Agencia Gov, 2024).
This article explains what this practitioner actually does, which practices have official backing in Brazil, where hypnotherapy fits into that landscape, and how to choose someone qualified, without promising what holistic therapy does not deliver.
Quick summary
A holistic therapist treats body, mind, and emotions together, not in isolation. Brazil's PNPIC has recognized integrative practices since 2006 and now reaches 7.1 million people (Ministry of Health, 2024). Only acupuncture and homeopathy are medical specialties recognized by the Federal Council of Medicine, the rest are complementary. A responsible practitioner acknowledges the limits of their own practice and does not replace medical diagnosis.
Citation Capsule: Only acupuncture and homeopathy are recognised as medical specialties by Brazil's Federal Council of Medicine; the other practices offered under the SUS's PNPIC — such as Reiki, aromatherapy and flower therapy — are complementary and do not replace medical diagnosis or treatment (Federal Council of Medicine; Ministry of Health/Agencia Gov, 2024).
What a holistic therapist actually does
A holistic therapist assesses a person across physical, emotional, and mental dimensions before proposing any technique. That changes the starting question: instead of "which remedy treats this symptom," the question becomes "what in this routine is keeping this symptom going."
In practice, that means longer listening sessions, questions about sleep, stress, and relationships, and a plan that combines techniques rather than a single prescription. That is why the same complaint (insomnia, for example) can lead to different proposals from one therapist to another.
Where this approach already has official recognition
Since 2006, Brazil's public health system has offered integrative practices through the PNPIC, including acupuncture, homeopathy, and herbal medicine. A 2017 expansion added meditation, art therapy, and Ayurveda to the list (Ministry of Health). Acupuncture is the best known among health professionals, but it remains under-applied in primary care, according to a literature review published in SciELO.
Does hypnotherapy fit into holistic therapy?
Yes, in the broad sense, it treats the person as a whole rather than an isolated symptom. But there is a technical distinction worth making: hypnotherapy is a structured clinical intervention based on a state of focused attention, not an energy therapy like Reiki or aromatherapy.
In my own practice as a hypnotherapist (Fabio), I use this approach mainly for automatic patterns behind anxiety and phobias, often combined with relaxation techniques also used in broader holistic therapies. It is one piece of the puzzle, not the single answer.
The most common modalities and what each one does
Not every holistic modality carries the same weight. Some have official recognition within Brazil's public health system, others are complementary without direct medical regulation. The table below summarizes the main ones:
| Modality | What it does | Official recognition |
|---|---|---|
| Acupuncture | Needle insertion at specific points for pain relief and other symptoms | Medical specialty (Federal Council of Medicine) and PNPIC/public-health practice |
| Homeopathy | Use of diluted substances following the similarity principle | Medical specialty (Federal Council of Medicine) and PNPIC/public-health practice |
| Herbal medicine | Use of medicinal plants as a complement to treatment | PNPIC/public-health practice |
| Hypnotherapy | State of focused attention to access automatic thought patterns | Complementary clinical practice, not regulated as its own medical specialty |
| Reiki | Laying on of hands for relaxation | Integrative practice, without evidence of a proven physical mechanism |
| Aromatherapy | Use of essential oils for relaxation | Complementary practice, not regulated as a specialty |
Are the benefits backed by evidence, or is it just a feeling of well-being?
It depends on the modality. Acupuncture and homeopathy have enough clinical research behind them to be recognized as medical specialties by the Federal Council of Medicine. Others, like Reiki, have limited evidence of an effect beyond relaxation and the dedicated attention given to the patient, which already has value, but is different from "proven efficacy."
A 2024 WHO global report found that 67% of member states report between 40% and 90% of their population using traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine, and that the number of countries with a national policy on the subject rose from 25 in 1999 to 90 in 2023 (WHO, 2024). That shows growing adoption, not necessarily equal clinical efficacy across every practice.
In clinical practice, the most commonly reported benefits are perceived stress reduction, better sleep, and more clarity when facing difficult decisions, and that holds true both for practices with strong evidence and for the milder ones.
How to choose a qualified holistic therapist
The starting point is not a generic "holistic therapist" diploma, it is specific training in the technique being offered. Ask to see training in Reiki, in hypnotherapy, in acupuncture, whatever it is, separately.
- Ask whether the practitioner acknowledges their own limits: someone serious does not treat severe depression or a psychiatric emergency alone, they refer out.
- Be wary of a guaranteed cure promise, especially for diagnosed medical conditions.
- Check whether the practice is recognized by the Federal Council of Medicine (acupuncture, homeopathy) or is complementary without specialty regulation (most of the others).
- Prefer someone who works alongside, not instead of, any existing medical or psychological care.
References
- Ministry of Health (Brazil). National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices (PNPIC). 2006, expanded 2017.
- Agencia Gov. More than 80% of municipalities offer integrative and complementary health practices in the public health system. May 2024.
- SciELO. Implementation, access, and use of integrative and complementary practices in Brazil's public health system: a literature review.
- World Health Organization. WHO global report on traditional, complementary and integrative medicine 2024.
Want to understand whether hypnotherapy could help your specific situation? Book a free 20-minute consultation with Fabio Morus to talk through what makes sense for you.
