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Therapies
Matthew Jarvis MA, M.Ed, LPC, LAC
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Therapies
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) is widely used to treat PTSD, anxiety, and trauma. It’s also effective for changing negative emotions and adverse symptoms associated with phobias, depression and stress. Focusing more on the resulting reactions to trauma, there is a structured process for using EMDR as a therapy.
People often describe being stuck in a cycle of behavior associated with traumatic experiences in their lives. EMDR trains the brain to utilize both hemispheres using back and forth eye movements, similar to how REM sleep works. Many report feeling “unstuck” as a result of this balancing activity.
Rather than merely recounting the details of traumatic experiences, an EMDR therapist will ask you to describe the unpleasant thoughts and feelings associated with each event. The progression of treatment methodically changes the negative associations to positive thoughts and feelings. Those wishing to change their repeated adverse reactions to trauma triggers will benefit from EMDR.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is being aware of what is happening within ourselves in the present moment. This allows us to therapeutically process our reactions in a nonjudgmental way. Achieve awareness using techniques like guided meditation, breathing, and body scanning. The information gathered from mindfulness practices will inform the therapist and help develop goals for ongoing mental wellness.
Mindfulness will often be combined with other therapies to treat depression, anxiety, and many other common mental health issues. Working with a neutral third party professional can help keep harmful self judgment from blocking new ways of looking at recurring problems. The therapist provides qualified solutions that will help to develop healthy solutions.
Many mindfulness practices soothe anxiety, depression, insomnia, and other unpleasant mental states. Having a guide to keep efforts on track is important. Developing mindfulness will allow for more rapid consideration of rational solutions to stressful or unmanageable situations.
CBT
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most popular form of talk therapy. Designed to help someone change how they look at a specific problem, the client and therapist work collaboratively to develop goal-oriented solutions. A professional therapist is essential to provide qualified strategies for resolving issues associated with depression, anxiety, relationship stress and other issues that affect a person’s life.
A person’s thoughts, feelings and attitudes can negatively impact their behaviors and feelings. CBT offers a structured environment to unpack everything and look at the pieces that need changing. Developing new habits to replace old, destructive ones can build a sustainable way of living. Having the guidance of a professional can streamline the learning process.
Common mental health issues like depression, anxiety, phobia, sleep disorders, eating disorders, OCD, addiction can resolve using CBT. Even more severe conditions like bipolar and schizophrenia improve, but it’s not required that someone even have a diagnosed mental illness to benefit from CBT. A person can develop new, beneficial ways of behaving to enhance their current life situations.
Solution Focused Therapy
Using goal-setting, Solution Focused Therapy an analytical way of recognizing problems and developing immediate solutions. The therapist acts and a coach or mentor, encouraging and supporting sensible resolutions. Like other therapies, the role of the professional is a neutral third party who works collaboratively to bring about positive solutions.
How will a person know when they’ve reached a goal? Part of effective goal setting is documenting what completion looks like. The therapist will help establish what success looks like so that a person is sure to acknowledge when the goal is reached. This is important so that the person can recognize a change in themselves.
Many people use Solution Focused Therapy to start working toward their dreams. This can be a place where achieving a lifelong goal starts. Through setting and meeting goals, a person will begin to develop a new way of looking at challenges. The therapist is a guide to keep progress on track.
EFT
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) focuses on relationships and the attachment and bonding issues that come with them. This is a helpful therapy for families or couples seeking healthier relationships with one another. It’s crucial to have a neutral third party professional to work with couples and family members together.
Part of the therapists role will be to understand each persons side. This will require time spent observing how people interact with each other in a therapeutic environment. Then effort can be made to restructure how interaction takes place. People will learn different ways to resolve ongoing problems and start to develop their own sense of self.
New and healthy was of bonding with other family members can replace the old destructive patterns. Each person can learn to do things differently and work together. With the therapist’s help the relationships will become more authentic and mutually beneficial.