Creative Therapy for Adults
In 2019, three out of four Americans reported feeling so stressed that they lay awake at night worrying about money, work, childcare, crime, and healthcare. In addition, 1 in 5 adults said they felt lonely or socially isolated. Finally, 1 out of 25 adults are in psychological (mental) distress from mood and anxiety disorders. Dance Movement therapy and Cognitive Behavior therapy can be of benefit to all of these people.
With such high numbers all types of people are dealing with stress or more challenging psychological challenges: business people, moms and dads, Uber drivers, Amazon delivery staff, healthcare workers, electricians, grocery store staff, etc. Some Americans manage these stressors in healthy ways, for example by going for walks, playing with pets, exercising or seeking social support, but most Americans have a hard time managing stress; and it builds up. Dance Movement Therapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy are two excellent ways to manage your stress, expand your stress management skills, Improve your body mind connection, and treat mental health disorders such as Depression and anxiety amongst others.
Techniques
Dance Movement Therapy works by using the connection between the body and the mind to release and manage stress and emotions, and in this way to heal the mind. It can also help you physically by expanding your movement -range and -complexity. Such an expanded movement repertoire can improve circulation, combat muscle stiffness and decrease pain. When these improvements are communicated to your brain you feel better mentally. It can also combat loneliness and depression. If you have been isolated, lonely or depressed; then engaging in a movement group with peers helps you feel less isolated or depressed; and these improvements decrease stress and help you mentally.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) helps your stress and mental health by focusing more directly on your thinking habits. Evidence shows that it can treat a wide range of problems, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, Autism, anger (and other emotions) management problems, and other disorders. CBT uses advanced skills to work with your thoughts. Specifically, when your therapist works with you he/she will engage you in all of the following activities. She will (i) help you learn about the connection between your thoughts, feeling and actions, (ii) help you identify the thoughts that are making you feel bad, anxious, or angry (for example), (iii) help you ask yourself if your thoughts are accurate or helpful, and finally (iv) help you reframe your thoughts so that they are more accurate and helpful. With practice you automatically begin to engage in more helpful ways of looking at yourself and your life challenges, and this improves the quality of all of your experiences