We all have different healthcare needs. That’s why healthcare providers offer a range of treatment options. Mental health is no different. The therapy techniques that work for one person might not be suitable for someone else. However, there’s no denying that some therapy interventions are more effective and widely relied on than others. Out of all the therapy techniques offered worldwide, some of the following stand out.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy is commonly referred to as EMDR. It’s a type of therapy offered to help people deal with trauma and loss.
EMDR involves therapists instructing clients to remember the worst moments of troubling memories. While focusing on those moments, they also follow their therapist’s moving finger. This process is repeated multiple times using various parts of the memory. With time, the distress of that memory often dissipates.
Many therapists use EMDR to treat symptoms like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic reactions. It may also prove helpful for boosting self-esteem and confidence. While bringing up painful memories can be upsetting, avoiding them gives them power. If you can process memories in a safe environment, like a therapist’s office, they can lose the power they once held.
Many therapists already see the value in this therapy technique, but studies reaffirm their position. A body of evidence supports the idea that EMDR is an efficient approach for psychological and physiologic symptoms stemming from adverse life experiences.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Many people dealing with mental health concerns find that traditional talk therapy is all they need to start feeling better. Also known as psychodynamic therapy, it involves talking about your life and traumas. The goal of discussing these is to understand the link between your past and present life.
Sometimes, talking about what’s going on for you can provide a great deal of self-awareness. You can identify patterns and use what you learn in your therapy sessions to achieve personal growth. Many therapists use this therapy for depression, stress, anxiety, chronic pain, and even eating disorders.
Art Therapy
Traditional talk therapy and one-on-one therapy sessions may not work for you. However, if you’re interested in trying alternative therapy, art therapy might appeal. This discipline focuses on the client and therapist and how art can transfer ideas. Many people see art therapy as helpful for:
- Self-esteem
- Self-awareness
- Emotional resilience
- Improved sensory and cognitive motor function
While art therapy is often targeted toward children, many adults also experience relief with this therapy technique. In fact, it’s usually offered as an option for children, teenagers, adults, couples, and families.
Group Therapy
The thought of being alone in a room with a therapist, having their full attention on you, can be overwhelming. Not everyone feels at ease talking about themselves in such an intimate setting. However, not feeling comfortable with traditional therapy doesn’t mean you can’t access the help you need. Group therapy, offered by Crestviewrecovery.com, might be a more suitable option.
Group therapy enables you to meet with like-minded people facing the same challenges. Whether you’re battling with substance use, grief, gender identity, or something else, there are support groups to help you feel less alone. Many group therapy sessions operate online with conference software like Zoom. However, you might also find in-person sessions near you.
In these sessions, you’ll find a safe space to share your experiences and listen to others, fostering a sense of community and understanding. The group setting allows for diverse perspectives, offering different coping strategies and insights. Moreover, witnessing the progress of peers can be incredibly motivating and reassuring. Whether online or face-to-face, group therapy provides a supportive network, guiding you towards healing and growth. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, and in group therapy, you’re not just receiving support; you’re also giving it by being there for others. If you need one of these sessions it is best to talk to professionals such as https://seasonsmalibu.com/.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a popular therapy technique for many conditions, such as:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- PTSD
- Substance abuse disorder
- Schizophrenia
This extensively researched therapy aims to reduce symptoms of mental health conditions by challenging and changing thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes. While similar to talk therapy, CBT differs slightly by prioritizing problem-solving and action-taking. Rather than just listening, therapists strategize to alleviate symptoms and achieve goals.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)
Various phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and PTSD can stop people from living full lives. Sometimes, trauma is to blame. However, many people aren’t initially sure where their fears, phobia, or disorders start. All they know is that their mental health condition is stopping them from leading a normal life.
Prolonged exposure (PE) therapy might be the therapy technique that helps them get their lives back on track. PE involves approaching your fears and expanding your comfort zone in a safe setting.
Most PE therapy sessions begin with patients discussing what scares them. Therapists often recommend starting with mild events and building up to traumatic experiences. With time and exposure to those fears, many people find them much easier to manage in everyday life.
Humanistic Therapy
You might know you require professional help, but fear of judgment for your thoughts, opinions, and emotions, can be a deterrent. When you hold this view, humanistic therapy could be an intervention worth exploring. Humanistic therapy is often described as unconditionally positive. It means that even if your therapist doesn’t hold your viewpoint, they will accept you.
Throughout your humanistic therapy sessions, you’ll learn self-acceptance and how to grow. These sessions are also patient-led. Therapists only step in when they require clarity.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, is a form of therapy used to help people living with borderline personality disorder. However, some clients with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges also find this therapy helpful.
DBT starts with patients looking at their thoughts and feelings to accept their existence. Therapists then help patients learn new coping skills to manage them. The aim of DBT is to help clients accept themselves and learn that they also have the power to change.
While everyone’s therapy experiences differ, many clients report positive results. A DBT study found that it positively impacted people’s lives by helping them manage setbacks and difficult situations. Those study participants also noted having more meaningful and healthier relationships post-treatment.
Many people associate therapy with talking. There’s no denying that talk therapy is among the most popular options. However, there’s more to the average therapy session than meets the eye. The more therapy interventions you learn about, the more comfortable you might feel choosing one to suit your unique needs.
