Quality mental health care encompasses much more than treatment of a diagnosis assigned exclusively from the mental health symptoms that initially brought someone to seek therapy. The diagnosis-oriented medical model applied to the mental health component of managed care underserves clients when the DSM diagnosis alone is what determines course of treatment.

Assigning a valid and accurate diagnosis is only one potential component within the integrative whole health approach necessary to achieve total wellbeing. Holistic mental health care involves understanding the role biological and chemical processes play in emotional and mental health, but more specifically how these processes are impacting you as a unique person.