TW Magazines have published this article on their website and in their May 2021 printed editions. Below is a copy.
There are many approaches that can help with anxiety and a number of related problems. But what’s the difference between all the therapies? Here’s a brief outline…
PSYCHOTHERAPY
There are different forms and the type used will depend on your personal needs. It usually involves lots of talking and going into the past, especially childhood issues. Often, it can be a long process, so developing a trusting relationship with your therapist is essential.
EMDR
Eye Motor Desensitisation and Reprocessing is a form of psychotherapy that is less about talking and more about processing. It uses Bi-Lateral movements, which involve using eye movements. EMDR has been proven to be effective with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and can also help with grief, depression and many other conditions.
CBT
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy focuses on specific problems and breaks them down into smaller parts. It’s pragmatic and deals with challenging particular issues.
CLINICAL HYPNOTHERAPY
Hypnosis is an alert state of relaxation used to access the subconscious, using all your senses to focus. It’s not Stage Hypnosis and you won’t do or reveal anything you don’t want to. Most people find it enjoyable and calming. Rather than losing control, actually it’s the reverse: you start to take back control. It can be used for almost anything, from sports performance, public speaking to trauma.
NLP
Neuro-Linguistic Programming looks at how people organise their thinking, feeling, language and behaviour to produce the results they do. It’s about the link between language, the way you view past events, and your behaviours. It shows you how to take control of your mind and can be used for almost anything, be it business or self-development, and combined with other therapies.
MINDFULNESS
Mindfulness is really about being present with whatever is happening without preference. In other words, acceptance. It’s very much about becoming the observer of your thoughts instead of being run by them.
Summary
There are many more excellent therapies available, including the more alternative types, which can produce great results. So, which therapy is best? That will depend; different people respond to different methodologies, so you may have to try a few.
A phone consultation may help you get a better picture but a one-to-one is essential if you want serious help. Another factor to consider is that your therapist/coach must be a good listener, and you must feel like you gel with them.
Denise