When Western Medicine Meets Energy Healing: My Thoughts on Holistic Healing with Antidepressants

Recently, someone close to me started taking Paxil, a prescription medication commonly used for depression, anxiety, and panic disorders. As someone who works deeply in the world of energy healing, holistic therapies, and spiritual development, this led me to reflect on how pharmaceutical treatments and energy work can coexist—and even complement one another.

Paxil, known generically as paroxetine, is an SSRI that adjusts serotonin levels in the brain. From a medical standpoint, it's designed to help stabilize mood, ease anxiety, and support those navigating emotional challenges that feel overwhelming. And in many cases, it’s incredibly effective at doing just that.

Personally, I’ve always tried to stay away from medications and prescriptions whenever possible. As someone who believes deeply in the body’s ability to heal through energy, mindfulness, and natural support, I’ve leaned into holistic practices to navigate emotional and physical challenges. That said, I also recognize that everyone’s path is different—and for some, medication like Paxil is a necessary and even life-changing step. My hope is to hold space for both truths: honoring natural healing while respecting the role modern medicine can play in stabilizing and supporting mental health. I will say, there are certain medications that I personally consider a firm no—such as the new weight loss injections—but that’s a topic I’ll save for another blog post.

Bridging the Gap: Energy Healing While on Paxil

People often ask me, “Can I still do Reiki, chakra work, or meditation while on medication like Paxil?” The answer is: absolutely—yes. But there are a few things to be aware of.

Paxil works on the mind and nervous system, and energetically, this can affect the solar plexus and heart chakras, which govern emotional balance, self-worth, and inner peace. Some individuals feel more "neutral" or emotionally flat when they start the medication. This isn’t always a bad thing—it can create a much-needed emotional baseline. However, it may temporarily affect your ability to access deeper emotional or intuitive layers during energy work or meditation.

If you’re practicing Reiki, receiving energy healing, or doing chakra work, you may notice:

• A slower but steadier connection to emotional and spiritual insights.

• The need to focus more on grounding and releasing stuck energy, especially in the solar plexus.

• A desire for more heart-centered healing, to reconnect with joy and deeper feeling.

Holistic healing with antidepressants

While antidepressants like Paxil can offer much-needed relief by balancing brain chemistry, they don’t always address the deeper emotional, energetic, or spiritual roots of what we’re experiencing. That’s where holistic healing comes in. Practices such as Reiki, chakra balancing, breathwork, and meditation support the body’s natural healing intelligence and help release stored emotional energy. When combined thoughtfully, antidepressants can provide stability while holistic therapies work to restore harmony across the mind, body, and spirit. Healing is not one-size-fits-all—it’s a layered, personal journey that can honor both science and soul.

Integrative Support Ideas

If you or a loved one are taking Paxil and also exploring holistic therapies, here are a few ways to bring balance to both:

• Reiki or energy sessions can help rebalance and clear stagnation that may come from side effects like fatigue, dullness, or emotional detachment.

• Chakra balancing (especially solar plexus and heart) can restore confidence, love, and self-awareness.

• Tai Chi, breathwork, or grounding meditations help regulate the nervous system and deepen embodiment.

• Crystals like rose quartz, smoky quartz, and citrine may support emotional flow and clarity.

Important note: Be cautious with herbs or supplements. For example, St. John’s Wort can dangerously interact with SSRIs. Always consult a doctor or pharmacist before combining natural remedies with prescriptions.

My Takeaway

Healing isn’t always one path—it’s many. Paxil, like many medications, can be a supportive bridge while deeper emotional or spiritual work unfolds. As a healer, I believe it’s not about choosing one over the other. It’s about recognizing what’s needed in the moment and working with the whole person—spirit, science, and soul.

If you or someone you love is navigating mental health challenges, know that there is no shame in needing help—whether it's in the form of a pill, a prayer, or a peaceful energy session.

With love and light,

Amber Parisi