The Affirming Minds Podcast

Episode #47: Holistic Mental Health: Integrating Yoga, Breathwork, and Sound Healing Into Therapy with LeNaya Smith Crawford, LMFT


Listen Later

  • Earn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button.
  • SIGN IN: Affirm Academy Members: Log in to get your CEs! If you're already a member, you can log in to your account https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/login to take your post-test/evaluation and get your certificate within minutes.

    SIGN UP: Become a member here: https://affirmmentalhealth.com/become-a-member/

    Course Information: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGzD0qlgh0/uAvTZlSD63Lxt0QtINmYgQ/view?utm_content=DAGzD0qlgh0&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h078b5e6f5f

    ---

    This Episode is Sponsored by Jane

    This episode is proudly sponsored by Jane, the practice management software that simplifies scheduling, charting, billing, and running your therapy business – all in one place.

    Use code AFFIRM1MO to receive a 1-month grace period when you sign up:
    🔗 https://jane.app

    ---

    Episode Summary: In this CE-eligible episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, host Shaina Siber sits down with LeNaya Smith Crawford, The Holistic Therapist™, to explore how holistic and integrative practices can transform both client care and therapist well-being.

    From yoga and breathwork to sound healing and nervous system regulation, LeNaya shares how these embodied practices can ethically and effectively complement traditional psychotherapy. She also highlights the importance of scope of practice, neuroscience research, and her own lived journey of weaving together the five layers of holistic healing: physical, energetic, emotional/mental, spiritual, and communal.

    Whether you’re a therapist curious about adding somatic practices to your work, or simply interested in how holistic approaches can support healing, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical guidance.

    ---

    Learning Objectives (CE Eligible):

    • Define holistic mental health and identify at least two foundational principles that differentiate holistic therapeutic approaches from traditional clinical models.
      • Identify at least one neuroscience or evidence-informed framework that supports the use of somatic or sensory tools in clinical practice.
      • Discuss at least one ethical or scope-of-practice consideration when incorporating mind-body modalities into psychotherapy.
      • ---

        About Our Guest: LeNaya Smith Crawford, The Holistic Therapist™, is a Licensed Therapist, Holistic Mental Health Educator, Business Mentor, International Teacher, and Wellness CEO. With over a decade of experience, she helps therapists, healers, and leaders reclaim their wholeness, integrate holistic practices into their work, and build aligned, sustainable businesses rooted in care and purpose.

        She earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Spelman College and her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy, specializing in trauma and spiritual integration. She is also an advanced certified yoga, breathwork, and meditation teacher, and a sound healer.

        Her passion for this work was born from her own healing journey—where embracing the five layers of self led to deep transformation. Her approach blends clinical expertise with ancestral, somatic, spiritual, and holistic healing practices.

        At the heart of her work is a deep belief that we are all worthy of the time it takes to nourish our minds, bodies, and souls—and of living in our heart’s deepest desires.

        LeNaya is the creator of The Holistic Therapist™ Academy, and her work has been featured in The New York Times, Essence, The Huffington Post, Healthline, and on Bravo. She is the CEO and founder of LSC Wellness, Kaleidoscope Therapy and Holistic Wellness, and the co-founder of Seviin Yoga Studio + Yoga School in Atlanta.

        ---

        Resources: 

        • Join my newsletter: lenaya-crawford.mykajabi.com/newsletter
        • Learn more about my work and offerings: www.lenayasmithcrawford.com
        • FREE Live Intensive – Become a Holistic Therapist (Oct 18 & 25): lenaya-crawford.mykajabi.com/become-a-holistic-therapist-live-intensive-oct-25
        • Holistic Therapist Academy (6-month certification program): lenaya-crawford.mykajabi.com/holistic-therapist-academy-info-session
        • ---

          Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The host, Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited CE provider. She receives financial compensation from Affirm Mental Health for the development and delivery of continuing education content. There are no other conflicts of interest to disclose.

          Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional.

          ---

          Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow The Affirming Minds Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Share it on your socials and help us grow the community of engaged, empowered, and educated mental health professionals.

          Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Tag us on social media with your biggest takeaways!

          Find Us Here: https://www.affirmmentalhealth.com

          Instagram: @affirmmentalhealth

          YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AFFIRMMentalHealth

          Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556924200735

          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-siber-sanderowitz-905089249/

          TikTok: @affirm_mental_health

          ...more
          View all episodesView all episodes
          Download on the App Store

          The Affirming Minds PodcastBy Shaina Siber, LCSW

          • 4.6
          • 4.6
          • 4.6
          • 4.6
          • 4.6

          4.6

          17 ratings


          More shows like The Affirming Minds Podcast

          View all
          This American Life by This American Life

          This American Life

          91,123 Listeners

          Fresh Air by NPR

          Fresh Air

          38,448 Listeners

          Hidden Brain by Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

          Hidden Brain

          43,705 Listeners

          The Trauma Therapist by Guy Crawford Macpherson

          The Trauma Therapist

          539 Listeners

          10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

          10% Happier with Dan Harris

          12,710 Listeners

          Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson by Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Forrest Hanson

          Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

          2,509 Listeners

          Therapist Uncensored Podcast by Sue Marriott LCSW, CGP & Ann Kelley PhD

          Therapist Uncensored Podcast

          1,389 Listeners

          Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel by Esther Perel Global Media

          Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel

          14,938 Listeners

          The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy by Curt Widhalm, LMFT and Katie Vernoy, LMFT

          The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy

          240 Listeners

          Therapy in a Nutshell by Therapy in a Nutshell -Emma McAdam

          Therapy in a Nutshell

          568 Listeners

          Trauma Rewired by Jennifer Wallace & Elisabeth Kristof

          Trauma Rewired

          353 Listeners

          Adult Child by Andrea Ashley

          Adult Child

          1,839 Listeners

          We Can Do Hard Things by Treat Media and Glennon Doyle

          We Can Do Hard Things

          41,594 Listeners

          CALLING HOME with Whitney Goodman, LMFT by Calling Home

          CALLING HOME with Whitney Goodman, LMFT

          337 Listeners

          Since You Asked with Lori Gottlieb and Gretchen Rubin by Lemonada Media

          Since You Asked with Lori Gottlieb and Gretchen Rubin

          209 Listeners