THE right FIT
HOW TO FIND THE SUPPORT THAT WORKS FOR YOU.
Psychotherapy is a general term that describes the “talking work” done with a therapist. It’s the kind we see in movies: Someone discusses her emotions while a sage professional listens and helps her deal with immediate or more complex issues. But there are different methods of going about that process. To help you figure out which one might be most suitable for you, we spoke with DR. DONNA FERGUSON, a clinical psychologist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
CBT helps people identify their emotional and behavioural reactions and set focused goals to change them.
IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?
According to Ferguson, CBT is one of the most common therapies and can be used to treat a variety of mental-health issues, from anxiety to substance abuse. She considers it suitable for anyone as it can be combined with other forms of therapy (like couple or family counselling).
Art therapy
Patients use imagery, music and dance to express thoughts and feelings that can be difficult to articulate otherwise.
IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?
People of all ages, from children to seniors, can benefit from art therapy, and it can provide support to those coping with PTSD as well as physical ailments like cancer or developmental disabilities. “It might also be used when other therapies are not welcomed or as effective,” adds Ferguson.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing
Patients focus on a traumatic memory while experiencing bilateral stimulation of the eyes (looking side to side in a rhythmic pattern).
IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?
Originally developed to treat PTSD, this therapy can help with symptoms—such as re-experiencing emotions that occurred at the time of a traumatic event when the memory is triggered— resulting from trauma that wasn’t fully processed.
Guided self-help
This is low-intensity therapy in which patients use a workbook or do an online course independently.
IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?
Ferguson encourages doing this in conjunction with treatment. It can also be more convenient for those who have tight schedules or want to try therapy before committing. She recommends the book Mind Over Mood: Changing How You Feel by Changing the Way You Think by Dennis Greenberger and Christine A. Padesky.
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
This practice incorporates mindfulness techniques with cognitive-therapy methods to help manage stress, addiction and other conditions.
IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?
MBCT is about learning to be in the moment. If you struggle with being present, this might not be very effective. “Somebody who has difficulty looking into themselves and isn’t ‘inside-oriented’ may struggle with this treatment,” says Ferguson.