11/18/2025
In this illuminating interview, the Adam Bigelsen and Josh Bigelsen — sons of the late Dr Harvey Bigelsen — discuss a holistic model of health often called terrain theory, challenging conventional “germ-theory” assumptions.
drsambailey.com
For those working in DBT, this is relevant because:
DBT emphasizes mind – body integration (emotions, behaviours, physical states). Terrain theory underscores that our physical ‘terrain’ (metabolism, environment, stress burden) deeply influences how we respond to emotional/behavioural challenges.
The video highlights how symptom-management (e.g., pharmaceuticals) may suppress surface issues but leave underlying dysregulation unaddressed. That echoes DBT’s aim of going beyond symptom relief to building capability (emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness).
The Bigelsens emphasise awareness of underlying dysfunction (internal “terrain”) rather than only external causes. In DBT, helping clients increase awareness of their internal states and build skills to shift them (rather than only reacting) is central.
Dr Harvey Bigelsen’s journey: from traditional allopathic surgery into natural-health and terrain-based perspectives.
drsambailey.com
Their critique of mainstream medicine: how it often treats symptoms rather than root functional decline.
drsambailey.com
Core terrain theory concepts: pleomorphism, body’s responses to insults, holographic blood analysis (as a diagnostic metaphor) – though cautioning around misinterpretation.
drsambailey.com
The brothers’ focus on healing from the inside-out: reducing fear, restoring innate resilience and health rather than being passive recipients of treatments.
https://bigelsenacademy.com/
In 2020, the COVID-19 fairytale woke many of us up to virological and germ “theory” fraud as well as the wider problems of allopathic medicine. The legendary Harvey Bigelsen, MD was no stranger to these issues but sadly passed away in 2019, just before a resurgence of interest in his work. Fortu...
