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What Is Whole Person Care?

Medically Reviewed by
Nzinga Harrison, MD
August 21, 2025

Whole Person Care recognizes that a person is more than just their physical body. It’s about treating someone’s physical, social, emotional, and mental needs as a whole. This approach has never been more important. According to the CDC, over 76% of Americans live with at least one chronic condition like heart disease or diabetes, and more than half have two or more. These conditions affect not just physical health, but every aspect of a person’s life. That’s why Whole Person Care is becoming essential in modern healthcare. At Eleanor Health, we’ve made this approach the foundation of how we help our members live healthier, fuller lives. In this blog, we’ll show you how Whole Person Care works and why it makes a difference.

A doctor talks to his patient

Eleanor Health’s Four-Prong Approach to Treatment

At Eleanor Health, we know that effective treatment means looking at the whole picture of a person’s health. That’s why we’ve developed a four-prong approach that works together to support lasting recovery and wellness:

1. Physical Health Support. We help you take care of your body through:

  • Supervised detoxification when needed
  • Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to manage cravings and withdrawal
  • Regular medical check-ups and care
  • Treatment for any ongoing health conditions

2. Psychological Care. Our mental health experts provide:

  • One-on-one therapy to address your specific needs
  • Group therapy sessions where you can learn from others
  • Evidence-based treatments like CBT to develop coping skills
  • Support for managing anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges

3. Social Support. We help you build a strong foundation for recovery through:

  • Case management to coordinate your care
  • Help with housing, employment, and daily needs
  • Connection to peer support groups
  • Assistance with family and relationship challenges

4. Mental Wellness. We offer tools to strengthen your recovery journey:

  • Mindfulness techniques to manage stress
  • Yoga classes for both physical and mental balance
  • Relaxation techniques you can use anywhere
  • Other activities that support your overall wellness

Each of these components works together to give you the best chance at lasting recovery and improved health.

The Role of the Care Team in Whole-Person Care

Great healthcare takes teamwork. At Eleanor Health, we bring together different specialists who work as one team to support your health journey. Here’s who makes up your care team:

Your Primary Care Provider. Think of them as the captain of your healthcare team. They:

  • Get to know you and your health goals
  • Create your personalized care plan
  • Connect you with other specialists when needed
  • Keep track of your overall progress

Mental Health Providers. Our behavioral health experts help you with:

  • Managing stress and anxiety
  • Developing healthy coping skills
  • Working through emotional challenges
  • Building better relationships

Support Services Team. These team members help with practical needs like:

  • Finding transportation to appointments
  • Accessing community resources
  • Getting help with housing or employment
  • Connecting with support groups

Medical Specialists. This includes professionals who focus on specific aspects of your health:

  • Pharmacists who manage your medications
  • Specialists who treat specific conditions
  • Nurses who provide regular check-ins
  • Therapists who offer specialized treatments

Every member of your care team works together, sharing information and coordinating your care. This team approach means you get comprehensive support for all aspects of your health, including physical, mental, and social. Plus, we make sure your insurance works with our care plan, so you can focus on getting better.

a therapist listens to her patient and takes notes

The Benefits of Whole-Person Care

Research shows that treating the whole person, rather than just individual symptoms, leads to better health outcomes. Here’s how whole-person care makes a difference:

Better Health Outcomes

  • Catches health issues early, before they become serious problems
  • Helps manage multiple conditions more effectively
  • Improves both physical and mental health simultaneously
  • Creates healthier daily habits and lifestyle changes

Stronger Patient-Provider Relationships

  • You and your care team build trust and open communication
  • Your providers really get to know you and your health goals
  • You’re actively involved in creating your treatment plan
  • Your preferences and lifestyle are considered in your care

More Efficient Healthcare

  • Fewer emergency room visits and hospitalizations
  • Better coordination between all your healthcare providers
  • More preventive care to avoid future health issues
  • Often reduces overall healthcare costs

Comprehensive Support

  • Help with practical needs like transportation and housing
  • Support for family members and caregivers
  • Connection to community resources
  • Tools for managing stress and emotional challenges

This approach is especially helpful if you’re dealing with:

  • Chronic pain
  • Mental health conditions
  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • Multiple health conditions

When healthcare providers look at the whole picture, you’re more likely to achieve lasting improvements in your health and quality of life.

Whole Person Care at Eleanor Health

When Eleanor Health opened in 2019, we saw a critical gap in addiction treatment. Many people weren’t getting the comprehensive care they needed. That’s why we created a different kind of healthcare experience—one that treats the whole person, not just their addiction.

Our approach works because we:

  • Listen to your complete story, not just your symptoms
  • Create personalized treatment plans that fit your life
  • Connect you with the right combination of services and support
  • Stay with you throughout your recovery journey

Our experience shows that successful treatment needs to address both addiction and other health challenges. That’s why we offer:

Complete Medical Care

  • Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) when appropriate
  • Treatment for ongoing health conditions
  • Regular check-ups and health monitoring
  • Coordination with your other healthcare providers

Mental Health Support

  • Individual therapy to address root causes
  • Group sessions for peer support and learning
  • Help managing anxiety, depression, and other challenges
  • Family support services

Practical Help for Real Life

  • Assistance with housing and employment
  • Transportation support
  • Connection to community resources
  • Help navigating insurance and benefits

We believe that getting better shouldn’t be complicated. That’s why we coordinate all these services for you, so you can focus on your recovery.

If you’re ready to get started with a compassionate care team that wants to help improve your specific health needs while simplifying the process, Eleanor Health is here to help. Reach out today to get started!

A grandmother takes a walk in a field with her granddaughter

Common Questions About Whole Person Care

What is holistic health?

Holistic health is a comprehensive approach to wellness that looks beyond just physical symptoms to consider every aspect of a person’s wellbeing. This includes physical health, mental wellness, emotional balance, social connections, and overall quality of life. At Eleanor Health, we understand that these elements are deeply interconnected. For example, stress can affect physical health, while physical discomfort can impact mental wellness. Our holistic health approach combines evidence-based medical care with lifestyle support, mental health services, and social assistance to create a complete picture of wellness. Rather than treating isolated symptoms, we work to understand and improve all the factors that influence your health, helping you achieve lasting positive changes in your overall well-being.

How is holistic care different from whole person care?

While both approaches share a commitment to comprehensive care, they differ in important ways. Holistic care embraces a broader range of healing practices, including alternative and complementary therapies, with an emphasis on the mind-body-spirit connection. At Eleanor Health, our whole person care model takes the best of this holistic philosophy and integrates it with evidence-based medical practices within our healthcare system. We focus on coordinated, team-based care that combines conventional medical treatments with supportive services like mental health care, social support, and lifestyle guidance. This integrated approach ensures you receive scientifically-proven treatments while still addressing all aspects of your health and wellness. Think of whole person care as the practical application of holistic principles within a modern medical framework, designed to give you the most effective combination of treatments and support.

How does whole person care address chronic diseases and immune system health?

At Eleanor Health, we understand that chronic diseases and immune health require a comprehensive treatment strategy. Our whole-person approach recognizes that these health challenges affect every aspect of your life and often interact with each other. Through our integrated care model, we help strengthen your immune system and manage chronic conditions by combining medical treatment with lifestyle optimization. This includes personalized medication management, regular health monitoring, and evidence-based lifestyle modifications like stress reduction techniques, nutrition guidance, and exercise planning. Our care team works together to address both the direct symptoms of chronic conditions and their broader impact on your mental health, daily activities, and overall quality of life. We’ve found that this comprehensive approach not only helps manage existing conditions but also supports your body’s natural defense systems, leading to better long-term health outcomes and improved overall wellness.

What holistic and complementary therapies does Eleanor Health offer?

Our approach combines traditional medical care with evidence-based holistic therapies to support your complete recovery journey. We offer a range of complementary treatments that work alongside conventional medicine, including mindfulness practices, stress management techniques, and therapeutic movement activities like yoga. These therapies are carefully selected to complement your medical treatment plan and are provided by trained professionals who understand both traditional and holistic approaches to healing. We may incorporate breathing exercises, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and other mind-body techniques that have been proven to enhance recovery outcomes. Each therapy is chosen based on your specific needs, health goals, and treatment progress, ensuring that every element of your care plan works together to support your overall wellness.

What personalized recommendations and health screenings do patients receive?

At Eleanor Health, every patient receives a comprehensive initial assessment that forms the foundation of their personalized care plan. Our health screenings include thorough physical health evaluations, mental health assessments, and detailed reviews of lifestyle factors that may impact your well-being. Based on these assessments, our care team develops individualized recommendations that may include medication management, therapy options, lifestyle modifications, and preventive care strategies. We regularly update these recommendations as your health needs change, using ongoing screenings and check-ins to track your progress. Our team also provides specialized screenings for specific health concerns, such as chronic disease monitoring, substance use assessments, and mental health evaluations. This systematic yet personalized approach ensures you receive the right care at the right time, always tailored to your unique health journey.

If you’re ready to get started with a compassionate care team that wants to help improve your specific health needs while simplifying the process, Eleanor Health is here to help. Reach out today to get started!

Nzinga Harrison, MD

Dr. Harrison serves as the Chief Medical Officer and Co-founder for Eleanor Health. With more than 15 years experience practicing medicine, she is a double-board certified physician with specialties in general adult psychiatry and addiction medicine. Dr. Harrison has spent her career as a physician treating individuals from marginalized communities with substance use and other psychiatric disorders. As a physician executive, she has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer roles committed to creating and improving systems-based delivery of psychiatric and substance abuse care. She is a vocal advocate for stigma reduction, and is passionate about the necessity for whole-person care as individuals and communities seek to recover from and prevent substance use disorders. She authored the book Un-Addiction: 6 Mind-Changing Conversations That Could Change a Life to change how we talk about substance use disorder and help fix the broken system of care.

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