Non-Talk Therapy: Different Ways of Healing
While you may be familiar with talk therapy–sitting down across a computer screen or room and talking with a licensed therapist about everything from relationship dynamics to stress to other mental health challenges–many people are still learning about non-talk therapies and their power to help heal. October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, as well as National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month and offers an excellent opportunity to highlight non-talk therapy as a way of healing after loss and living with depression. Continue reading for more information, and learn more here about NCCC therapists who may offer these services.
Somatic Experiencing is an approach that facilitates the completion of self-protective motor responses and the release of thwarted survival energy bound in the body, thus addressing the root cause of trauma symptoms. This is approached by gently guiding clients to develop increasing tolerance for difficult bodily sensations and suppressed emotions. Learn more here.
According to the EMDR Institute, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a "psychotherapy treatment that was originally designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories." Though EMDR involves some talking, the EMDR therapist focuses on stimulating your eyes with swinging pendulums, or by moving their finger back and forth. Basically, by engaging the five senses, EMDR is supposed to alter the way your brain processes and stores trauma — making the painful memory less painful. Though it's a new (and kind of confusing) therapy option, a 2014 study found EMDR was more effective at treating people with trauma than regular cognitive behavioral therapy. (Source: Bustle)
Art Therapy | The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) defines art therapy as "an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship." Multiple studies have shown art therapy not only eases the symptoms of mental health issues, but also anxiety and depression related to chronic physical illness. (Source: Bustle)
Dance and Movement Therapy can encourage your brain to release feel-good endorphins, and activate your pleasure responses. The practice is becoming more popular; there's even an annual conference in the U.S. hosted by the American Dance Therapy Association to discuss the benefits of dance and movement therapy. (Source: Bustle)
Nature/Walking/Hiking Therapy | While nature, walking, hiking therapy involves some talk with a therapist, the movement of the body in an outdoor environment (as opposed to a dimly lit office) can help unlock deep emotions, as well as give people a sense of ease and activity while engaging their therapeutic work.
