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Gestalt therapy was developed initially as an alternative to standard psychotherapy. It is a type of experiential therapy that focuses on an individual’s experience in the present moment and emphasizes the importance of self-responsibility in the recovery process. The holistic approach of Gestalt therapy has been found useful by many therapists. The sessions do not have rigid structures and allow the patient to use creativity to understand their emotions.

Having healthy self-esteem and feelings of self-worth are some of the most essential characteristics that you could have. Self-esteem is defined as the way we view our worth or value and it directly impacts our decisions and thought processes. Some studies link low self-esteem to many mental health disorders and low self-esteem may also influence people to abuse drugs to avoid feelings of low self-worth.

Mindfulness, simply stated, is the practice of gaining self-awareness. It is derived from ancient trans-Himalayan philosophies of contemplation and cultivation of awareness. Research has shown that frequent mindfulness exercises practice produces substantial changes in trait-like predispositions to being mindful in everyday life, even without being engaged in meditation. Many mindfulness practices are used in recovery therapies. Some are meditative, and some are more active approaches to mindfulness. Though, one technique seems to be both the easiest and most challenging for some to master—the art of being still.

Research suggests that both acute and prolonged use of drugs can affect a person’s brain responses. Some substances can exacerbate an already existing mental disorder. For instance, in people with a genetic disposition towards psychosis, using marijuana increases the chance of experiencing a state of psychosis. Marijuana is often viewed as a less destructive drug and has become increasingly more socially acceptable. However, there are implications of severe side-effects of marijuana use and mental health disorders. Diagnosing co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders can be difficult. The symptoms can often mimic each other, and providing treatment can be challenging. It is crucial to find a tailored treatment when dealing with co-occurring disorders. Many facilities offer inpatient treatment, which may be essential to treating mental health and substance use disorder (SUD). The great attention that inpatient provides is beneficial in treating co-occurring conditions. The best practice is to treat both disorders simultaneously. Treating them separately can be arduous, and one condition may take precedence over the other. When mental health is treated with SUD, relapse decreases due to awareness of mental health triggers. SUD and mental health disorders go hand in hand. You may be dealing with co-occurring conditions without realizing it. Some substances only exacerbate mental unwellness, and mental health may lead to drug use. A treatment program can address any mental health issues to provide the most effective care. Most recovery treatment models can be tailored to meet a person’s needs, and the addition of mental health counseling can only be positive in the long run. It is essential to research facilities before deciding to ensure they have the tools and resources to deal with co-occurring disorders.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) is often used to treat PTSD and other forms of trauma. EMDR focuses on the process of memory recall. During EMDR sessions, you relive traumatic or triggering experiences in small doses while the therapist directs your eye movements. Over 30 controlled outcome studies have shown positive outcomes with EMDR therapy. Some of the studies have shown:

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is designed to help people who suffer from chronic bouts of depression and unhappiness. Research shows it can also aid people who suffer from chronic pain and mental health disorders. MBSR prevents “downward spirals” of depression, which tend to be very hard to get out of once they start. Employing MBSR practice helps us clearly see the issues in our minds and enter an alternate mode of thinking, shifting gears from behaviors that promote downward spirals.

Have you ever felt so stressed that it makes your stomach hurt or you get a headache? This is because your mind and body are connected in a way that may not be immediately obvious to us. The mind/body connection is the idea that physical stress translates to mental stress and vice versa. Our mind and body are constantly communicating with each other and an issue with one can lead to issues with the other. When we say mind, we aren’t necessarily talking about the brain. Our mind consists of our thought processes, emotions, beliefs, and attitudes.

Phobias can be debilitating for the many people who experience them. The symptoms of phobias go beyond feeling a bit uncomfortable or scared of something. We often hear people talk about being afraid of spiders and heights, which are very common phobias. But sometimes people have more intense phobias that interfere with their quality of life. Agoraphobia and social phobia are two types of phobias that prevent people from completing daily tasks. Fortunately, there are therapies available for the treatment of phobias. Cognitive behavioral therapy is most often used to treat phobias either alone or in combination with other therapies. In treating a phobia, be sure to seek the help of a mental health professional who has specific experience or expertise in the area.

To better understand the concept of psychodrama, let’s start by breaking down the word itself. The word “psycho” derives from the Greek psyche, which means heart, mind, soul, and spirit, while “drama”, which is also derived from Greek, refers to a play, a movie, or a story. Essentially, psychodrama means a drama of the mind and soul. This form of therapy is helpful in recovery because it forces us to take a different perspective on our emotions or actions giving us time to reflect and develop the ability to properly express our emotions or to control our emotions.

Humans are social creatures and we habitually seek out love and approval from others. While feeling loved by others is important, nothing is as important as the love you feel for yourself. Self-love may seem obvious to some. For others, it is a foreign concept. Those of us who suffer from mental health disorders, usually fall into the second group despite the fact that self-acceptance and love are key to our recovery. We can express love to our family, friends, even strangers with ease but showing that same love for ourselves can seem nearly impossible. Cultivating self-love is a process, but we can start that process by changing the way we speak to and about ourselves. Try repeating these three affirmations to help accept and appreciate yourself.

It can be hard for us to maintain our recovery, especially when we don’t get the support we need. Support can come from many sources. Having the support of your family and loved ones is important, but many people feel there is an aspect missing from that circle; empathy. Only those who understand our struggles and behaviors through shared experience can provide true empathy. If you are looking to connect with someone who understands what it feels like to walk your path, Alumni support therapy is an option to consider.

Sometimes finding motivation for what we know we need to do is hard. It can make us even more depressed or anxious about change if we feel we have no motivation for it. Maybe we wonder what is really wrong with us. Is this really just our personality? Probably not. Finding motivation is a challenge for everyone whether it’s a constant challenge or just an occasional thing. We can actually inspire motivation through change, even if that seems backward. There’s a lot of science that goes into the process of changing ourselves psychologically. The stages of change are important to understand when it comes to motivation inspired by change in recovery.