The Voice of Hope with Dr. Ken Huey

Cortney Harden: Integrative Therapy, Lifestyle Medicine & Redesigning Behavioral Health

Dr. Ken Huey Season 1 Episode 11

In this episode of The Voice of Hope, Dr. Ken Huey sits down with Cortney Harden, LCSW, CMNCS—a behavioral health strategist, integrative psychotherapist, and founder of Live Aligned Integrative Therapy. With over 15 years of experience driving systems-level transformation in mental health and substance use care, Cortney shares her journey from traditional therapy to a whole-person approach that blends clinical nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and evidence-based therapy.

We explore:

  • The "why" behind Cortney’s shift to integrative therapy
  • How lifestyle medicine transforms mental health outcomes
  • What sustainable healing really looks like
  • The intersection of policy, prevention, and integrative care
  • Her powerful work through The Healing Journal and beyond

Whether you're a clinician, policymaker, or someone navigating your own healing journey, this conversation offers clarity, empowerment, and above all - hope.

00:14] Ken Huey
Welcome and guest introduction

[00:51] Cortney Harden
Gratitude for the opportunity and the value of shared spaces in mental health.

[01:09] Ken Huey
What inspired you to shift from traditional therapy to integrative, whole-person care? What’s your “why”?

[01:23] Cortney Harden
Talks about her journey into ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), personal health experiences, discovering lifestyle medicine, and creating a framework that empowers clients.

[03:11] Ken Huey
You’ve launched programs across states—what’s the first thing you look for when building from scratch?

[03:18] Cortney Harden
Highlights the importance of local partnerships, listening to community needs, and avoiding cookie-cutter approaches.

[04:11] Ken Huey
Talk about moving from evidence-based rigidity to the creativity needed in lifestyle medicine.

[04:21] Cortney Harden
Explains the six pillars of lifestyle medicine, the research backing it, and the creative challenge of tailoring it to each individual’s context and access.

[06:48] Ken Huey
Brian Johnson—the "Don’t Die Guy"—any overlap there?

[07:01] Cortney Harden
Yes, there are similarities and mutual influences in this space; highlights a collective movement toward integrative approaches.

[07:30] Ken Huey
What’s the most overlooked factor in sustainable healing?

[07:34] Cortney Harden
Empowerment. Helping clients lead their own care and equipping them with lasting tools for change.

[08:34] Ken Huey
How do you blend clinical nutrition with therapy in your practice?

[08:40] Cortney Harden
Talks about her certification in clinical nutrition and how gut health, blood sugar, and micronutrients impact mental wellness. The integration has transformed her clinical work.

[09:43] Ken Huey
How has your work changed since writing The Healing Journal?

[09:47] Cortney Harden
Describes how the journal began during the pandemic, unexpectedly became central to her work, and provides a tool for those who can’t access therapy.

[11:23] Ken Huey
Self-care is overused. What does it really mean to you?

[11:31] Cortney Harden
Self-care is living intentionally and aligning decisions with values—not spa days. It’s about sustainability in leadership and modeling healthy habits.

[12:51] Ken Huey
Where do you see tech and AI influencing integrative healthcare?

[12:56] Cortney Harden
Exciting potential, but cautions about ethical safeguards. Tech can improve access and efficiency but needs to maintain high-quality, human-centered care.

[13:48] Ken Huey
What policy shifts do you believe are necessary in care system design?

[14:00] Cortney Harden
Stresses integrated care across physical and mental health, offering behavioral health support at primary care visits, especially for high-risk periods like postpartum.

[15:01] Ken Huey
If you could redesign behavioral healthcare with a magic wand—what’s your first move?

[15:09] Cortney Harden
Train clinicians in lifestyle medicine, integrate care across the full spectrum (including prevention), and build partnerships that support earlier intervention.

[16:48] Ken Huey
What gives you hope—personally or professionally?

[17:14] Cortney Harden
Finding meaning through adversity. Trauma clouds identity, but with space and tools, people can reconnect with their goals, heal, and even transform.

[18:50] Ken Huey
Closing remarks and gratitude.

People on this episode