Therapy does not always involve talking. There are non-verbal therapies you can choose in your mental health or addiction recovery program. This article will describe eight alternative methods available at Avalon Malibu to offer something unique to your recovery experience.
#1. Acupuncture Therapy
Acupuncture is a practice used in traditional Chinese medicine. Tiny needles penetrate the skin to stimulate nerves, muscles, and tissues. This promotes the efficient flow of qi (CHEE). Qi is a complex concept involving the vital life force or energy that flows through every living thing.
According to the underlying philosophy, blocked acupuncture points can result in poor health. You will become energized and balanced by allowing qi to move unhindered throughout your body. For those overcoming addiction, the process can be physically and emotionally painful. Acupuncture can help relieve this pain.
#2. Aqua Therapy
You may find water to be very therapeutic. The feeling of floating can feel like freedom after being stuck in the cycle of addiction or debilitated by a mental disorder. The sound of waves and the smell of salty air can help you connect to the natural world.
Aqua therapy is all about intentional and restorative activities performed in the water. A therapist will guide you through therapeutic activities to help you heal and strengthen your mental, physical, and emotional capacities. Some exercises include:
- Ai Chi
- Aquatic PNF
- Bad Ragaz Ring Method
- Fluid Moves
- Halliwick Concept
- Swim Stroke Training and Modification
- Task Type Training Approach
- Watsu
#3. EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a helpful therapy if you have encountered severe stress and trauma. EDMR therapy is focused on resolving past experiences that continue to cause emotional and mental pain.
Techniques such as tapping sounds and rapid finger movements across your field of vision are used to help you focus on a painful memory and process it. Transforming traumatic memories into neutral ones will help you move on and finally heal.
#4. Art Therapy
Children are not the only ones who have fun with arts and crafts. If you have experienced severe stress associated with emotional and physical trauma, mental disorders, and addiction, you may benefit from expressing yourself through art.
In art therapy, a therapist will encourage you to use methods such as:
- drawing
- painting
- sculpture
- collage
Art helps you convey challenging internal feelings externally through creativity and imagination. Doing so can improve your communication and socialization.
#5. Writing Therapy
Writing therapy is based on methods that encourage introspection. Writing allows you to think deeply about an issue and coherently organize your thoughts. This helps you process your feelings and uncover things you may have not known were there.
Writing assignments are adapted to your condition and can be completed in individual or group therapy sessions or privately at home. Some examples include:
- writing imagined replies from a recipient
- writing unsent letters to specific individuals
- writing in the form of a dialogue with a person or troubling topic
#6. Neurofeedback Therapy
The brain and its neural networks are an essential focus on some therapies such as EMDR and neurofeedback therapy. Neurofeedback therapy involves mapping brain areas for normal and abnormal activity and then training neurofeedback to enhance brain function. In this way, your treatment protocol is unique to your brain activity.
In training, your brain activity is measured while you watch a video or play a game. The proper function of visual and audio feedback depends on your brainwaves. Feedback will become dysfunctional if your brainwaves are abnormal. Your brain learns how to correct itself to keep the video or game going.
This therapy has resulted in improved memory and focus with fewer mental health symptoms.
#7. Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is all about getting your body and mind to relax. A licensed massage therapist massages deep muscles and tissues, which triggers the production of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. This reduces stress and anxiety and aids your body in releasing toxins and tension.
Some massage modalities include:
- Thai massage
- Sports massage
- Swedish massage
- Remedial massage
- Hot stone massage
- Deep tissue massage
#8. Music Therapy
Music therapy is used to treat behavioral and emotional disorders. The physical, emotional, mental, social, aesthetic, and spiritual aspects of your wellbeing can all be addressed by the healing properties of sound.
Some music experiences that you may encounter in this creative therapy include:
- free improvisation
- singing
- songwriting
- listening to and discussing music
- moving to music
This treatment has improved numerous aspects of wellbeing, such as cognitive functioning, motor skills, and emotional and affective development.
See What Works For You
The therapy options that are best for you depend on your interests and what makes you feel a sense of fulfillment and peace. These diverse therapy options provide you with a chance to exercise your mind and body and make connections you did not know were possible.
When you think of therapy, it is likely that your mind pictures a patient sitting in front of their therapist talking about their problems. Talk therapy is just one class of therapies, however. Alternative, non-verbal therapies are also available and effective at treating a diversity of mental health problems and substance use disorders. Avalon Malibu is residential center that specializes in treating adults for mental health and addiction. Our facility in Malibu, CA offers numerous non-verbal therapies that engage your imagination and creativity. In our treatment program, you have the opportunity to engage in common activities in unique ways. These therapies take your healing process to a whole new level and support the building of skills that will sustain your pursuit of a happy and healthy life free from addiction or mental instability. Call us today at (844) 857-5992 to learn more about how these therapies can improve your health.
