Is therapy really a one type and done situation? No! Therapy can take a lifetime depending on what you are being seen for.
Different Types of Therapy
There are all sorts of different therapies, but some of the most common include Art, Horse, Trauma, and EMDR. I have had my share in dealing with each one in one way or another.
Art therapy for me involved a lot of paint and large canvases. I, as most know, had a bit of a turbulent childhood. So art, being something I loved, helped me through a lot of dark times. But it is not just paint. Art therapy can be anything that helps you to express your emotions through a creative process.
Now for horse therapy, that is a different perspective altogether. This is one the boys did. They would meet in a group at the ranch and do a bit of group therapy. But they would also do team-building exercises to help them build trust and to feel more comfortable opening up about their feelings.
Now, not all ranches work the same, so my experience may differ from the one you have. But it is worth the effort.
Trauma therapy and EMDR can almost go hand in hand. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is, in a sense, a way to retrain your brain in how to deal with trauma situations. Depending on which type of therapy you choose, you will be amazed at how much your mind is still willing to learn and to be retrained.
Knowing Which Therapy is Right For You
First of all, therapy is not a science. You will try and possibly fail. But the best thing you can do is to get back up and keep trying.
When looking into therapy for myself, I looked first at what I was hoping to accomplish by going to therapy. Knowing something like this is really one of the first steps to making sure you are even ready to attend therapy and make changes.
The second thing I asked myself was, how do I express myself best? Is it in the form of art? Do I need to be comforted or put in head first to the chilling waters of my past? And these questions can and might change on a daily, weekly or even a monthly basis. It’s okay if they do. It is normal.
And the last thing I cover is: What if this isn’t a good fit or I am not getting anywhere? Can I change my mind and not do it? Or can I change my mind and try a different form of therapy? This answer will always be YES!!! Therapists are trained to take care of the clients’ needs and not to take it personally if it turns out to not be a good fit. Don’t forget though, things do take time, so give it a few sessions before calling it quits.
Tools to Find Services
I know the biggest excuse in the book is “I don’t know where to start!” Well…..I am here to tell you, NO MORE EXCUSE! It can be hard to find the right resources and things to get the help you need but look no further. I will give you a few starting points right now.
The first one is my favorite. Google that s**t! Come on, we use Google for how many other things? Things that some may call stupid and pointless, so why not use it to help get help?!
You may need help with using Google, simply because rabbit holes do exist, and let’s face it if you are seeking help, there is a good chance you get easily distracted too and those rabbit holes can scoop away hours without you even realizing they are gone.
Another great resource is the insurance company. They always have lists of providers for different aspects including mental health. Just make sure you don’t get overly frustrated if not all of the information is up to date. It is hard for even the biggest of places to keep up with the ever-changing world.
But the bottom line, no matter what you do, just don’t give up. You always have support, even when you think you don’t.
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