Evidence-Based Mental Health Treatments that Work

Mental health treatment has changed dramatically over the years. Long gone are the days of institutionalization for every little thing, using torture, or even labeling people who need help as crazy.

The first mental health hospital in the United States was created in 1752.

Since then, there have been many advances in treatment, specifically for people with depression and anxiety disorders.

Finding the right treatment can feel overwhelming when someone simply wants relief, but here are some of the best evidence-based mental health treatments that work.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT

CBT is a form of psychotherapy that can be used to treat anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. CBT can help people identify negative thought patterns that are associated with their symptoms, such as feeling anxious or depressed.

The goal of CBT is to change these thoughts so they have less impact on your mood and feelings about yourself. You basically work to replace negative thoughts with positive ones and over time it can reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety tremendously.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of therapy that helps people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias, and other conditions.

It’s also a form of exposure therapy that uses eye movements or other forms of sensory input to help people reprocess their trauma.

The idea behind EMDR is that traumatic events can get stuck in your memory, preventing you from fully processing them. This can lead to problems like intrusive thoughts or behaviors, like having nightmares or avoiding situations similar to the original trauma.

The goal of EMDR is to help people process these memories so they’re less likely to interfere with daily life.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a treatment that has been around for thousands of years. It is an ancient Chinese medical practice that involves inserting thin needles into the body at specific points to alleviate pain, treat health conditions and improve overall wellness.

Acupuncture can be used to treat many mental health disorders like depression.

The majority of people who have tried acupuncture report that it improves their symptoms or reduces their need for medication. Some people use this type of therapy in addition to the typical psychiatry medication management.

Using medicine along with traditional therapeutics has been shown to be more effective long-term.

Meditation

You don’t have to be a Buddhist monk living in a cave to reap the benefits of meditation. In fact, there are many evidence-based practices that can help you achieve similar results. One of these is mindfulness meditation, which is slowly becoming more mainstream.

Doing this type of meditation can improve your focus, help you feel more relaxed, and even lowers blood pressure. Just 5-10 minutes a day has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress.

Art Therapy

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses the creative process of making art to improve a person’s mental health.

It can also be used as a method of teaching, or as an expressive outlet. The art therapist uses different techniques to help individuals express their thoughts and feelings through various media such as drawing, painting, poetry, and even clay.

Tele-therapy

Tele-therapy is a type of therapy that uses technology to help people with mental health issues.

The therapy can be used in a variety of ways and is becoming increasingly popular as it becomes more accessible. One of the most common ways that teletherapy is used is as an extension of traditional face-to-face sessions.

Many therapists now offer their services online or over the phone, allowing you to meet up at certain times each week even if you don’t live close by. This can be extremely useful for those who have trouble getting time off work or who have other commitments like caring for children or elderly relatives.

It also saves money on gas and parking fees. This accessibility also has the benefit of being more affordable so that people who need help the most are able to get it no matter what their insurance covers.

Final Thoughts on Mental Health Treatments

Finding the right mental health treatment may mean trying a few things.

Combining holistic practices with modern medicine can make a big difference. Also, combining in-person and remote therapy sessions makes it easier to commit to working on your mental health needs.