No, it does not. Western medicine and conventional psychiatry are definitely effective and they offer some good possibilities for improving psychiatric disorders. However, not all treatments are always a 100% effective and unfortunately some people, despite optimal standard treatment, still have symptoms or side effects. For these people it is worthwhile to look for professional, safe and effective alternative treatment to optimise their health and well-being.

No, this is not true. Some alternative treatments are known to be effective and safe. This is supported by scientific evidence: some herbs, nutritional supplements and some forms of meditation have been proven to be effective and safe for treating several psychiatric complaints. Nevertheless, a large part of alternative medicine is still insufficient researched. Besides, not all standard medical treatments are evidence based. Estimates differ from 20 to 40%.

No, scientific evidence is definitely important to determine the difference between promising therapies and therapies that are less effective or even harmful. But, when we only focus on scientific evidence we will risk a psychiatry that is experienced by patients as “impersonal too biological”. This is confirmed by many studies. This is why it is so important to pay attention to personal preferences and ideas of the patient, be informed by scientific evidence for different treatment options and, equally important, use the expertise of the therapist. A good doctor/ therapist owns, besides scientific knowledge, also other qualities to help a patient to the best of their abilities; like good communicative skills, compassion, a cooperation with other disciplines, and a public involvement.

Yes, this is correct but the number depends on the definition of alternative medicine. When a broad definition is used (and everything besides standard medicine is taken into account; from aurahealing to fish oil, and from chiropacty tot prayer and healing) this number is reached. This is confirmed by several studies conducted in America, England, Germany, and other western countries. But when we focus on people who actually visit an alternative therapist (defined by someone who practices alternative medicine) than the number drops to 10 to 15% of the population. In the Netherlands we are be talking about 1,5 million people who annually visit a alternative therapist.

It is true that through the eyes of standard healthcare the explanations for alternative medicine are seen as very odd. Examples are: homeopathy and it’s strong dilutions, and energetic therapies involving auras and chakra’s. We need to keep in mind though, that what may be odd or unbelievable in own culture is considered normal in the next. The history of medicine has taught us that what first is considered unbelievable or based upon strange theories can eventually be considered true. This does not mean that we have to believe everything that is considered strange or unbelievable. Nevertheless, it is important to study the treatments used by large parts of the population, even if they are ‘strange and unbelievable’. Apparently, for a large part of the population the use is not considered strange or unbelievable.

It is not necessary to conform to specific religions or beliefs when one wants to practice certain techniques. A good example of this is Mindfulness. This form of meditation is very popular within the regular Dutch healthcare (GGZ), thanks to the scientific evidence, supporting it’s safety and effectiveness. Mindfulness is originally a Buddhist technique. But it’s clear that not everyone who makes use of Mindfulness has to become Buddhist. Apparently it is possible to practice a technique without conforming to a certain religion or a certain belief. This is what integrative medicine wants to achieve: using as many as possible effective and safe techniques, methods or treatments, without having to conform to underlying religions or beliefs. A pragmatic approach has been chosen: if it is effective and safe, it can be implemented.

Right now the CIP of Lentis is the only one of it's kind in the Netherlands. But there are four mental health institutions who have serious plans to found a center too. At the outpatient clinic of the CIP whe know some psychiatrists who work this way, mostly in private practice. We hope to publish a list of these psychiatrists in the future on this site. If you are an integrative psychiatrist and you wish to join this list, please let us know.
The CIP of Lentis has informal contacts with several pioniers, institutions and initiatives in IP in different countries, like the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Denmark and Norway. We really like to know about, and get into contact with, other initiatives, so please let us know! This way we can build an international network and work together to devellop this new field.