There are many ways to heal. Typically in the past, you might go to a therapist for a psychological concern or to a doctor for a physical problem. However, today it’s not that simple.
Today, many treatment centers are offering various forms of treatment, many of which are considered alternative, in order to provide a full range of services. For instance, at a teen treatment center for addiction, you might also see dance therapy, writing therapy, music therapy, horseback riding, meditation, and yoga. These options are available to teens in addition to their normally scheduled appointments with their doctor, therapist, and drug counselor. A teen at such a facility might also receive family therapy as well as reviewing the family’s history of psychological illness. And if a teen’s symptoms are severe, treatment could also include hospitalization and medication.
At sober living homes, teen treatment centers, addiction treatment centers, and other facilities that provide services to teens, there is a growing trend to include alternative services in addition to the traditional ones. For instance, a few alternative therapies not already mentioned that might accompany traditional psychotherapy include:
Equine Therapy is a medical field that is recognized in most major countries. It is a form of therapy that uses horses as well as an equine environment to promote physical, emotional, occupational, and psychological well being in patients. Equine therapy is often used in the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Dementia, and Depression. It can also be used to treat traumatic brain injuries, behavioral issues, and addiction.
Equine therapy is a form of mental health treatment that involves more than just having patients ride a horse. It could include touching a horse, placing a halter on a horse, or leading a horse to a designated area. The presence of the horse and the interaction with the patient can have a significant impact on healing and treatment. This kind of therapy can build self-confidence, communication skills, trust, impulse control, boundary setting, and adopting new perspectives on life.
Hypnosis is a state of deep attention, which is induced by a therapist. The mind is highly receptive to suggestion and therefore can be used to help a person reach their goal for living sober.
Craniosacral Therapy is a modality that uses the craniosacral system – the soft tissues and fluid that protects, nourishes, and cleanses the brain and spinal cord – as a means for assessing disease in the body. A therapist trained in this modality knows how to work with the craniosacral system to release tension in the body and improve functioning of the central nervous system. Because of its ability to release emotionally held trauma that was stored in the body, this form of therapy has been used to treat a vast number of veterans with great success. Although it’s an alternative form of therapy, it has been used to treat PTSD for over 20 years and continues to be a healing method.
Acupuncture is a system of complementary medicine that involves pricking the skin or tissues with needles, which are intended to relieve pain and/or treat various physical, mental, and emotional conditions.
Herbal Therapy is a form of treatment that uses herbs, which are natural botanical substances that affect the body. Many herbs have long been used in detoxification. For instance, the herb Kadzu has the potential for moderating alcohol abuse. Milk thistle can improve liver function, and Kava and Valerian can be used to treat insomnia, which often accompanies withdrawal.
Pet Therapy is a new and growing field called Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT). It is a goal-directed intervention therapy that involves the use of an animal. A trained dog, for instance, is incorporated into the treatment plan as an essential part of an individual’s sober living recovery.
This list provides alternative ways to treat teens, depending on their needs. For those who are curious about the various forms of healing that are available to them, try calling a teen treatment center and ask about what they offer. For the most part, in the past, when you were sick, you’d go to an allopathic doctor. Yet, now there are a variety of options for healing. Perhaps a teen might be more inclined to consider treatment knowing these methods may be available to them.
