Over the next three episodes of The Holistic Psychiatrist Podcast, we'll have the wonderful opportunity to listen to Dr. David Kopacz, an integrative and holistic psychiatrist, author, and artist practicing in Seattle, Washington.
Dr. Kopacz has written three deeply insightful books: Re-humanizing Medicine, Walking the Medicine Wheel, and Becoming Medicine. Reading them is like swimming in a liquid pool of twinkling crystals, filled with light and beauty. I can't read a page without highlighting a passage.
Though we come from very different backgrounds, we share very similar interests and views about people and life as holistic psychiatrists.
Today's Weekly Update is about the emerging integrative, holistic, and quantum psychiatrists and clinicians in the world, as well as our similarities as people.
Have an amazing week!
On Being Fully Human with David Kopacz, MD, ABoIM
A holistic psychiatrist’s perspective on the human experience
I fondly recall the first time I met Dr. David Kopacz at a holistic and integrative medicine conference in 2014. Within 15 minutes of meeting me, he suggested that I apply for his last clinical position in New Zealand. Since he left it, the clinic still needed a director. It was a very kind and generous offer, and I understood, intuitively, what a loss it must have been for the clinic.
Later, he shared that his first book was about to be published and briefly described its contents to me. Re-humanizing Medicine explored how medical training dehumanized both the evolving physician and the patient, and how to radically transform it for the better. He spoke so passionately and persuasively that I bought several copies when it came out that year, even though I had too many books on my shelves already.
Dr. Kopacz's website contact address is beingfullyhuman.com. For a humble and self-deprecating person, he isn't afraid to advertise his high ideals. His paintings are ablaze with color and mystical meanings. His contemplations on life and society are consistently holistic and integrative. It's as if being whole and integrative is who he is. You'll see. I'm sure you'll love, respect, and enjoy his perspectives on life and healing when you hear from him on the podcasts.
What do holistic, integrative, and quantum psychiatrists and clinicians have in common? Though we come from all different backgrounds and cultures, I believe we are surprisingly similar in certain respects:
1) We are creative. We have a strong imagination and think of the world through symbols and images as well as through words and ideas. We use our right and left brains to bring meaning together holistically—about everything. We naturally piece disparate pieces of information together and creatively interweave them into new patterns, functions, and approaches.
2) We are intuitive. We just know when something is right, and we gravitate toward what feels right to us. We can sense energy and are open to spiritual aspects of life and health. Part of being intuitive is having faith in things that can't be measured or seen, and being comfortable working with abstract concepts and aspects of life.
3) We live by our ideals. No matter what. Having holistic, integrative, and quantum approaches mean that we are pioneers in our areas of expertise. Being creative means that we discover new combinations and approaches. As pioneers, we may be ostracized, persecuted, or dismissed. In order to succeed, we must have the strength and courage to persevere with our work regardless of the status quo.
4) We are here for a purpose. Together we are a peaceful but formidable force behind change. We use our words and works to show how things can be done differently, with greater effectiveness and compassion for others. Our influence is protected and nourished by Life itself. As we use our creative power to serve, we reap the joy that comes from healing others.
I believe that there are many holistic psychiatrists and clinicians all over the world helping in their unique capacities. I know Dr. David Kopacz is a very special person who has an overabundance of these four qualities. I hope you'll enjoy his perspectives in the podcasts coming up!
Have a great week!
The Holistic Psychiatrist Podcast (Ep. 8):
Exploring integrative and holistic healing
at all levels of being with Dr. David Kopacz (part 1 of 3)
In part 1 of our 3 part series, Dr. Kopacz discusses his perspectives on holistic psychiatry and his insights on how to re-humanize medicine. We explore how physicians can be conditioned to become technicians rather than healers and how we become de-humanized as we de-humanize our patients.
Click here for the full episode available on Wednesday.
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Click on the picture below to listen to the teaser.