Radical Acceptance: The Beating Heart of Our Practice
If you were to sit down and count out how many places and settings in your life you have felt:
Isolated
Discriminated against
Disregarded
Unheard
Ignored
Disrespected
Frustrated
Dismissed
Reduced to a statistic or number
And otherwise not well cared-for...
How many do you think you would come up with?
And would that list include any experiences in healthcare?
That's not just you. Today's healthcare landscape is often rushed, impatient, impersonal, and corrupted by the profit motive of large corporations (insurers, hospital networks, pharmaceutical manufacturers, etc.). It is not usual for people to find themselves reduced to a series of diagnostic codes or a list of medications. The standard medical appointment - if you're lucky, fifteen to twenty minutes of surface-level conversation and maybe a cursory examination - rarely allows for the depth of relationship, understanding, and insight necessary for true healing. This can be especially isolating and traumatizing to anyone who is already marginalized in any way.
At The Buddha's Medicine, we do things differently. We know how badly it can feel to be churned and processed through the corporate medical system, both from a patient standpoint and a provider standpoint.
How do we do things differently? One way that I would like to highlight in this post is our commitment to radical acceptance. Radical acceptance is a cornerstone of our practice and the foundation of every patient interaction.
So what is it? Radical acceptance is the practice of intentionally acknowledging, honoring, and making space for difficult feelings and situations. Radical acceptance also means full acceptance of and care for the people that have those feelings. It dramatically up-levels conventional approaches to patient care. It's not merely about acknowledging differences or tolerating various perspectives - it's about embracing the complete, complex life story that each individual brings to their healing journey. Radical acceptance pervades every aspect of our practice, from the moment you schedule your first appointment to the ongoing, real-time development of your living, breathing, personalized treatment plan.
Our radical acceptance comes through on multiple levels:
Individual Medical and Life History
We make space for you to tell your whole story from the very first visit.
We understand that trauma, past medical experiences, and all kinds of life events influence and shape one's present state of health.
We acknowledge that your cultural background, family history, personal beliefs, and identity all influence one's healthcare experience.
Being in the Present Moment
We meet you exactly where you are in your health journey and healing process.
We recognize that understanding and acceptance of one's current circumstances is a key first step toward meaningful transformation.
We know that healing begins with acknowledging and accepting your present state, and all that comes with it.
Building Therapeutic Relationships
We foster an environment where open communication flourishes.
We hold space for questions, concerns, thoughts, and expressions of uncertainty.
We build trust through consistent acceptance and understanding.
Practical Aspects of Our Practice
Extended appointment times that allow for thorough and detailed discussion, exam, and care.
Flexible options for direct communication with our care team that adapt to your preferences.
Integration of your personal goals and values into treatment plans.
Recognition of your expertise in your own lived experience.
And the impact of radical acceptance on our patients is real. When people feel truly seen and accepted, they're more likely to:
Share important health information without fear of judgment.
Actively participate in their treatment planning.
Maintain consistency in their healthcare journey.
Develop sustainable wellness practices.
Experience better health outcomes.
This deep level of acceptance also lays the groundwork for more effective treatment. By understanding and accepting where you are now, we can work together to create realistic, sustainable paths forward. This isn't about forcing change or imposing standards on anyone - it's about developing an environment where natural healing can occur.
Our commitment to radical acceptance means we recognize that:
Every health journey is unique.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to wellness.
Your perspective on your health is highly valuable.
Healing happens at different paces for different people.
Success - and what health is - looks different for everyone.
As always, if you are curious about how our Ayurvedic, integrative health approach can support your health (or the health of a loved one), you can book a cost-free, 15-minute Consultation with Dr. Matt. During this consultation, you'll experience firsthand how our radical acceptance philosophy creates a unique and supportive environment for your healing journey.
Professional disclaimer: please do not initiate any herbal or other medicinal interventions without the guidance of a knowledgeable provider.
Dr. Matt Van Auken, MD, MPH
Dr. Matt is an Ayurveda-trained, triple board-certified physician.
