Mental health counseling is a complex area where no two patients or situations are the same. This means that when counseling a patient, the mental health counselor will need to consider carefully what strategy or strategies to use. This process will be continually under review as the patient’s condition progresses or improves and depends on the effectiveness of the existing strategies. Among the possible options are alternative or complementary therapies. When used properly, these can be effective, but there may also be some limitations that both the counselor and client should be aware of.
Choosing a therapy
Mental health counseling is a journey, choosing the appropriate therapies will become easier as the counselor-client relationship develops. However, while situations do differ, there are some tried-and-tested strategies that can help groups of people or help with different conditions, and this is part of the expertise that mental health counselors gain when training.
When choosing a therapy, counselors will need to weigh up the benefits and limitations. These will vary among the different alternative therapies available, but a common limitation of them all is that there is a lack of research into how and when they can be used effectively. For those interested in developing their knowledge of mental health counseling, a doctoral degree in counseling is a good option. The CACREP-accredited online Doctorate in Education in Mental Health Counseling from American International College is an online course that prepares students not only for a career in counseling but also in research and academia. It is well worth considering for those who want to advance their career in this direction.
There is a wide range of alternative therapies available, but a look at some of the most common ones demonstrates that many do have advantages as well as some limitations.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness has its origins in Buddhist teachings and is becoming commonly used in mental health counseling. Mindfulness can include a number of practices, including meditation, yoga, and breathing. It involves focusing awareness on the physical, emotional, and mental condition in the present moment without judgment.
Mindfulness can be used in different ways in therapy and can help reduce anxiety, stress, and depression. These techniques are commonly used to treat an array of conditions, including substance abuse, bipolar disorder, PTSD, psychosis, and eating disorders.
While this is a versatile intervention that has multiple benefits, overly relying on mindfulness is not recommended. It can increase the intensity of emotions, and while meditation can aid sleep, too much meditation can hinder it. To get the best benefits of mindfulness, moderation may be key.
Art and creative therapy
Art and creative therapy use a variety of activities, the most common being visual art therapy, music therapy, drama therapy and dance movement therapy. They can be used to treat a variety of disorders, including psychosis and schizophrenia. The advantage of using these creative types of therapies is that many patients find it hard to put into words how they are feeling and discover that it is far easier to express themselves using a different media. There is no need to have any skill in the creative arts, making this a therapy that anyone can access. It is also thought that the very act of being creative can have a positive impact on mental health.
However, the benefits of art and creative therapy may vary depending on the client. If a client does not see the relevance, then it is unlikely to help. Also, while patients may find it easier to express their feelings through creativity, ultimately, talking is necessary and prolonged use of art therapy may mean delaying verbal communication. As a non-intensive therapy, it may take longer to see improvements if it is being solely relied upon. While art and creative therapy has its place, it is best used as a gateway therapy prior to or alongside other therapies.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine and in recent decades, has become increasingly accepted in Western medicine. Using needles to stimulate the body’s nervous system has several uses in mental health treatment. It can be used to promote better sleep patterns and metabolism and can also reduce cortisol, the body’s stress hormone. Patients suffering from depression can find acupuncture beneficial.
However, there are some drawbacks. There can be itching, bruising, or bleeding where the needles are inserted, and there is a risk of an allergic reaction. It is certainly not a therapy for everyone, with the thought of needles making some patients even more anxious. It should also be stressed that if acupuncture is used, it should only be delivered by a trained and certified practitioner, as improper technique could have even more serious consequences.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy can be used in several ways – through massage, room sprays, diffusers, or added to a bath. It is thought that aromatherapy works by triggering smell receptors to send messages to the part of the brain that controls the mood. It is used to treat depression, though it is unlikely to bring significant benefits on its own and is best used alongside other treatments.
Aromatherapy is mostly safe and something that a client might like to use at home between sessions. However, it is important that they know what they are doing. Some oils can cause allergies and skin irritation, and some can even be poisonous if ingested.
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Should alternative therapies be used?
With evidence of benefits, there is no reason not to use alternative therapies. While there are drawbacks and limitations, this is also true of all medicines and therapies. If using an alternative therapy, it is important for the counselor to thoroughly monitor and evaluate the progress to ensure that the client is benefiting from the treatment. It is also a good idea to use them alongside other more evidence-based treatments. However, this is an area of mental health counseling that is in development, and it is possible that future research will show ever more evidence of how these treatments can be used effectively and safely.
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