7 Recommended Therapy Choices For Depression And Trauma

As more and more people open up about mental health in the media and everyday life, people are becoming more open to seeking professional help in the form of therapy. Therapy is effective in treating many different types of mental health problems.

According to the NHS one million people in the UK per year receive therapy services.

Here are the therapies that work best for treating depression, trauma and substance abuse:

Depression

Prolonged sadness, hopelessness, rage, and feelings of apathy are common symptoms of depression. Therapy offers a safe space for talking through negative thought patterns and difficult emotions. Through therapy we can also learn effective strategies for calming and moving past negative thoughts. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, psychodynamic therapy and counseling are all recommended by the NHS as effective in treating depression.

Trauma

People who have survived traumatic events such as mental or physical abuse, life-threatening illness, and other devastating events commonly experience symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), borderline personality disorder (BPD) or both. Flashbacks, nightmares and intense negative emotions caused by trauma can trigger self-destructive thoughts and feelings of distress.

Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy, art therapy, and group therapy can provide a safe space for revisiting traumatic events, releasing emotional blocks and learning to contain self-destructive patterns of behaviour.

Substance Abuse

When things get tough, it’s common to feel an urge for escape and ‘self-medicate’ the pain away with drugs, alcohol, or even food. These coping mechanisms give a false sense of emotional control and can worsen mental health problems if not addressed in time.

A variety of therapies including CBT, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and talk therapy are effective in helping people recover from substance abuse.