The mental health field is dynamic and nuanced, requiring a range of approaches and methodologies for treating individual concerns. The human experience is varied, and professionals use their library of treatment options to determine which treatments may be effective. Understanding the different treatment approaches can help individuals seeking treatment identify providers and facilities that can provide the quality care they need.
1. Evidence-Based Practices
One of the most common approaches to treating mental health concerns are evidence-based practices. Guided by research among the highest levels of education, evidence-based practices have been tested and evaluated for their efficacy. Some methods include cognitive-behavioral therapy, which is a type of talk therapy where an individual explores their current challenges. Working with their therapist, individuals break down their most overwhelming issues into smaller, more manageable parts. This approach can make one’s issues easier to dissect, understand, and ultimately, overcome.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy uses a multi-step approach that helps individuals build skills to help them overcome mental health challenges. Built off of CBT principles, DBT encourages self-analysis and acceptance of circumstances while building coping skills to manage situations individually. Individuals learn how to naigate life’s challenges with a greater understanding of triggers and what they can and cannot control.
CBT and DBT approaches can be accessed through outpatient providers and within mental health rehab facilities. While researching potential providers, ask for details about which approaches they use to treat conditions similar to yours. Both approaches follow sets of established protocols, which have been shown to be clinically effective, ethical, and improve patient outcomes.
2. Holistic Healing
Blending treatment for the body, mind, and soul can enhance mental health therapies and improve the effectiveness of coping skills. Today, many people live in a constant state of stress, which incites an elevated fight-or-flight response. By integrating holistic practices into one’s treatment, outcomes can improve in daily life and when mental health triggers arise.
Common holistic healing practices look to Eastern medicine and cultures for guidance, leveraging yoga and meditation to center the mind. Mindfulness, which can be more approachable and accessible for those with differing physical abilities, is commonly integrated with CBT. Some therapists provide prompts and guided questions to help individuals navigate their mindfulness practice.
Nutritional counseling is often paired with holistic practices, as modern diets often lack essential nutrients and vitamins. While there is reasonable debate regarding which came first, nutrient deficiencies can worsen issues like depression and anxiety. Other times, those experiencing mental health issues may look toward dopamine-delivering foods instead of nutrient-rich and healthy options. Dedicating time to exploring foods that support mental health treatment and retraining eating habits bolsters other therapies and improves outcomes.
3. Alternative Therapies
Some individuals shy away from traditional therapies, especially if prior experience has been ineffective or poorly executed. While one bad experience doesn’t mean that a treatment method can’t work for you, it’s reasonable to acknowledge one’s hesitancy. Alternative therapies can help individuals build confidence and become open to other therapies as they see improvements to their symptoms.
For example, art therapy helps people express their emotions in a creative way and without the need to outwardly state their fears. Music therapy can do the same, and one need not have musical talents to partake. Creating music, writing lyrics, or simply drumming a beat can promote the release of suppressed emotions. Many find that these therapies promote greater self-reflection and, when done in a group setting, participants can find community.
By using the full array of senses, individuals immerse their bodies in treatment instead of staying only in their head. The creative nature of alternative therapies can promote individuals to spend more time thinking about challenges outside of therapeutic settings. This can promote greater healing and boost the effectiveness of other methods.
4. Collaborative Care
A sports team doesn’t have just one coach, they have a team of professionals invested in their organization’s overall success. Your mental health is deserving of the same team-based approach, which promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and coordination. Often found in a mental health rehab facility or office specializing in interdisciplinary care, dedicated professionals work to customize treatment. Primary care physicians, mental health providers, psychiatrists, social workers, and other specialists will collaborate to ensure you receive comprehensive support.
Generally, when your providers are within the same system, they can share notes, recommend treatment, and collaborate seamlessly. Plus, providers can take into consideration your total wellbeing and understand other parts of your health picture. If you’ve been diagnosed with a medical condition, they can ensure your treatment considers any associated stressors.
Collaborative care teams can also work to align your insurance coverage and benefits. Your providers devise the most cost-effective way to evaluate your condition, refer to specialists, and run tests. This can help reduce anxieties about the cost of care and reduce barriers to accessing treatment. This team-based approach ensures you access the resources and experts to help you achieve healing and mental wellbeing.
Keep an Open Mind Toward Mental Health Treatment Methodologies
Embrace the introduction of new mental health treatment approaches and keep an open mind toward what’s possible. As you explore these methods, ask questions, do research, and seek to understand the reasons behind its recommendation by providers. Be curious about how these methods can support your mental health journey and commit to implementing prescribed treatment. With an understanding of these treatment methodologies, you can embark on a journey toward healing and mental wellbeing.
