In Buddhist philosophy, for example, the concept of interdependence speaks volumes when the interaction between individuals is understood as an ecological, energetic, biopsychological and spiritual system.

The West arrived a few millennia later, thanks to the World Health Organisation, which published the "International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health". The ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health) is recognised by 191 countries as the new instrument for describing and measuring the health and disability of populations; it represents an innovative model that revolutionises the way in which the concepts of health and disability are defined and therefore perceived. The new principles highlight the importance of an integrated approach that systematically takes into account the various environmental factors interacting with the individual.

Holistic psychotherapy, the effectiveness of meditation

The ICF is applicable to any person in any health condition where there is a need to assess their state of "health" at a physical, personal or social level.
In Tibetan medicine — the most psychological of the non-conventional medicines — mental states and personal attitude play a major role in the maintenance of health and the onset of illness; these mental states can be determined by the so-called three mental poisons: craving (attachment), hatred and ignorance.

In a clinical setting, the effectiveness of meditation techniques, for example, has been highlighted as a means of promoting individual health and maximising the effect of psychological and medical therapies.

The Western holistic psychotherapist draws on specific psychological, energetic and psycho-corporeal techniques as well as natural remedies in addressing people's distress and suffering.

Dr Fabrizio Giovanni Dell'Orto, Psychologist, Psychotherapist.
An accredited trainer with the Ordine Psicologi della Lombardia on topics relating to disability, psychomotricity and the ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health — WHO), he works in the fields of Tibetan psychology and psychodiagnostics within Clinical Psychology and psychotherapy.