The Source of the Healing Arts heals the body and the spirit

Warwick — Psychotherapist Bharbara Priestner-Werte had a vision. She wanted to build a place where people could come to fulfill all of their health needs — to help heal both their body and their spirit. Her dream of that special place was born about 18 months ago in Warwick — The Source of the Healing Arts on West St. is an integrative health program combining nutrition, psychotherapy, acupressure, massage, yoga, hypnotherapy, art and music therapy, just to name a few. What exactly is integrative health medicine? According to the book, Integrative Medicine Principles for Practice by Benjamin Kligler and Roberta Lee, “Integrative medicine is about changing the focus in medicine to one of healing rather than disease. This involves an understanding of the influences of mind, spirit, and community as well as of the body.” “This is a very different way of looking at healthcare,” said Priestner-Werte, who has worked for several agencies throughout her career as well as in private practice for the last 15. “We do not look at the disease. We bring health care to the individual person. Our care is built on relationships between the practitioner and the patient. The purpose is to focus on wellness, disease prevention, health promotion and healing.” One of The Source’s programs is geared toward those living with and beyond cancer, the integrative model, according to Priestner-Werte, works for everything—chronic disease, mental health, post-operative patients. “We work alongside traditional providers,” said Priestner-Werte, “optimizing traditional care with these modalities.” Take cancer patients, for example. The Source provides emotional support for both the patient and her caregiver, nutritional care, including cooking lessons from a whole foods chef, acupressure and acupuncture, which are used to minimize fatigue and the effects of chemotherapy, self-hypnosis and guided imagery to help heal after surgery. Gentle yoga, meditation, and relaxation help with managing anxiety. “We can support you through the entire process,” said Priestner-Werte. “and this works with everything.” The Source will soon be unveiling integrative programs for cardiac and pain management patients. Just two months ago, The Source began a weight management program. Combining whole foods cooking, nutritional counseling, and exercise, the program meets weekly for support as well as on Saturdays at first for cooking instruction. The meetings taper off as time goes on, but the patients are seen and tracked for up to one year. Another session is beginning in mid-January. “We are very proud of our weight management program,” said Priestner-Werte. “You can’t get a better way to do it. Traditional programs promote reducing calories. We unveiled a whole foods health supportive diet. We married our whole foods chef and nutritionist.” The program combines a low glycemic index diet with whole foods cooking. The Source uses guided imagery, an exercise physiologist, yoga, menu planning and portion control. “It’s a very healthy way to eat,” she said. Priestner-Werte is excited to discuss The Source and its programs. She emphasizes that she and her colleagues work with traditional health providers, not instead of them. The Source’s Integrative Oncology Program is recognized by the American Cancer Society. Many of the programs offered are covered by health insurance. Some are offered at The Source office on West St., some are given at St. Anthony Hospital, and others are at private offices. People come in for one modality or a series of them. All of the practitioners at The Source are licensed and experienced. Everything they do is rooted in science, said Priestner-Werte. “We really like each other,” she said. “They are all compassionate professionals who love what they do.” The Source of the Healing Arts is located at 14 West St. in Warwick. The Advertiser will be running a series of articles in the next few weeks explaining the different modalities and programs offered at The Source. For more information check the website at www.sourceofhealingarts.com or call 986-1977.