21 Oct 3 Reasons Why Therapy Is the Best Form of Self-Care
Almost every Hollywood depiction of therapy shows an elderly-looking man sitting in a chair across from his patient, a notepad in hand.
“And how did it make you feel?” he asks while adjusting his glasses for effect.
Those who regularly attend therapy sessions know that’s not how it works. With the emphasis on “regular”, therapy has changed how people live their lives and helped them unlearn toxic behavior.
Call it the dismantling of problematic patterns if you must. Whatever your thoughts on therapy, one undeniable fact is that it serves your mental health and well-being.
Many people swear that therapy is the best form of self-care. While the aim is always the same, the pathway to healing can take different routes.
Below, we’ll explain how different types of therapy can be food for the soul and how they can address diverse challenges.
Emotional Trauma
The Conversation notes that a growing body of evidence points to the benefits of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) during therapy.
Commonly used for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), EMDR has also shown promise in helping with acute pain. The evidence-based treatment aids individuals to safely and systematically process traumatic memories and experiences.
EMDR came into the spotlight when Prince Harry underwent treatment to target traumatic experiences during his AppleTV+ docuseries The Me You Can’t See.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses specific eye movements or bilateral stimulation to help desensitize you to past trauma.
Benefits and Pensions Monitor recently reported on Toronto’s young adults struggling with their mental health in a post-pandemic world. The good thing is that they are open to seeking help.
EMDR therapy in Toronto is fast becoming part of the mental health toolkits for many practices as younger generations transition from adolescence to adulthood.
The therapy follows an eight-step protocol:
- History taking
- Preparation
- Assessment
- Desensitization
- Installation
- Body scan
- Closure
- Reevaluation
EMDR trauma therapy can be an effective way to process distressing memories. However, Equilibrium Mental Health & Wellness advises patients to seek out trained EMDR therapists to ensure they feel safe and supported during the process.
Fear of Rejection
It’s not easy to admit to others and yourself that feelings of rejection induce anxiety and low self-esteem. Fear of rejection can paralyze you emotionally and be a barrier to forming real connections with people.
Rejection therapy has made its way onto TikTok. Relationship coach Michelle Panning’s post went viral when she approached strangers in a crowd and asked if she could borrow $100.
It didn’t matter what their responses were. For Panning the goal was to ask the question. This form of therapy encourages you to ask people odd requests where the likely outcome will be them saying “no”.
The point of the exercise is to face your fear head-on and gradually become comfortable with rejection or negative reactions.
Although the trend has taken off on social media, mental health experts say it should be practiced with caution.
Blogger Jia Jiang took up the challenge for 100 days and documented his experience. He tells CNN that the key to success is that the other person doesn’t feel pressurized into answering, no matter how weird the request.
Negative Childhood Memories
Reappraisal is a strategy that involves reinterpreting an emotion-eliciting situation to change the emotional experience.
Research indicates that reflecting on a parent during therapy can subtly change how someone recalls childhood feelings.
During an experiment, participants recalled positive or negative attributes of their mothers, which significantly affected their current and past feelings.
The study highlights the flexibility of emotional memories, emphasizing the importance of awareness in therapy. The findings also signify the impact of self-reflection and its potential effect on relationships.
You don’t have to be struggling emotionally to see a therapist. Verywell Health says the common benefits of therapy include improved communication, less stress and increased happiness.
It provides you with the skills needed to cope with certain situations and change how you positively interact with others.
If you feel comfortable in a group setting, why not try couples or family therapy? You may find opening up is easier when surrounded by people you know.
Some final advice: ensure your therapist is properly credentialed and qualified to provide mental health care. It’s also important to feel comfortable with someone you trust.
For more information:
1: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22641-emdr-therapy
2: https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/eye-movement-reprocessing
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. To learn how to get support for mental health, drug or alcohol conditions, visit FindSupport.gov. If you are ready to locate a treatment facility or provider, you can go directly to FindTreatment.gov or call 800-662-HELP (4357).
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Last Updated on October 21, 2024 by Marie Benz MD FAAD