Final answer:
The psychiatrist is using an integrative therapy approach to treat Levi's anxiety disorder, which combines relaxation training, cognitive therapy, and existential insights to address the physiological, cognitive, and existential facets of the disorder.
Step-by-step explanation:
Levi is visiting a psychiatrist who uses a combination of relaxation training, cognitive therapy, and insights from an existential perspective to treat anxiety disorders. This multifaceted treatment approach suggests the therapist is taking advantage of the synergistic benefits of different therapeutic techniques. The integration of these methods can provide a comprehensive treatment that addresses the physiological, cognitive, and existential aspects of anxiety.
Relaxation training often involves techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and meditation to reduce the physiological symptoms of anxiety, which aligns with the relaxation response approach. It aims to decrease sympathetic arousal and has been effective for conditions like high blood pressure.
Cognitive therapy focuses on identifying and challenging distorted thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to anxiety, promoting healthier thinking habits. Lastly, existential perspectives emphasize the search for meaning and confronting existential concerns which may underlie anxiety symptoms.
By combining these approaches, the psychiatrist is employing what is known as an integrative therapy. Integrative therapy acknowledges that anxiety can be a multifaceted problem requiring a holistic approach that addresses both mind and body, as well as an individual's psychological and philosophical needs.