Which therapy helped you the most?

[monajoanne]

I’ve tried lots of different types of therapies over the years: CBT, counselling, reiki, hypnotherapy etc. but I’m still exploring different types in order to really get to the root of my issues so I wondered which therapies have been successful for you?

Are there any that really made a huge difference to you or that you didn’t expect?

Has anyone managed any success through self-help techniques?

Psychodynamic to explore why I’m like I am, followed by CBT a few years later to help with a specific problem.

I think the right person can make a really big difference as well as the type - not all CBT is equal, for example!

I think it really depends on white the issue is that you're struggling with.
for me Exposure response prevention therapy has done wonders but I have OCD so it's more of a specific treatment really.
psychodynamic therapy seems a possible good fit if you're wanting to find the 'root' of your issues, CBT/ACT more so if you're looking more to change a behaviour/thought pattern rather than understand it.

Integrative psychotherapy for someone who would help me get to the root of things but with a practical attitude that therapy should be about my life getting better.

TBH it was much more about the person I think. She was ace.

Echoing PP, it depends on the issues you are looking to fix and – more importantly – what caused them. No point in finding the dogs bollocks of sticking plaster if you still wearing the same shoes.

Therapist here :-) I agree that the therapist and the relationship with them is HUGELY important, and if done well CBT should be exploring the root of problems eg core beliefs developed in childhood. However, if you’ve given all of these a try and have still felt like something is missing I’d recommend considering and looking in to accessing some trauma therapy, such as EMDR. Trauma is the root of everything and it may be a number of ‘smaller’ traumas not just one big trauma. Sending love and luck x

NLP really helped me. I don't know if there's any scientific basis to that but it really helped

My psychologist uses the following methods and she has been phenomenal

• Integrative and evidence-based: Uses a variety of therapeutic models rather than one fixed approach, tailored to each client’s individual needs.
• Holistic: Considers emotional, mental, physical, and contextual aspects of wellbeing.
• Existential influence: Trained with Professor Emmy Van Deurzen, bringing a focus on meaning, values, and personal growth.
• Trauma-informed: Specialises in working with trauma and PTSD using EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) and Brainspotting.
• Cognitive and mindfulness-based techniques: Incorporates CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and MBCT (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy) to address thought patterns and build emotional resilience.
• Somatic and hypnotic methods: Uses somatic therapy and clinical hypnosis to help clients process emotions and stress held in the body.
• Empathic and humanistic style: Emphasises intuition, empathy, and a strong therapeutic relationship.

EMDR helped the most. I am much more present even if I'm triggered.

Totally agree with this. It’s less about the therapy and more about the rapport. This summarises my relationship with my old counsellor. I think I kept going back because I couldn’t bear the thought of starting over with someone new but now I see that I should have been brave enough to say maybe I need to explore other options.

For trauma, EMDR really helped me.

I have heard good things about EMDR. May I ask how it came about @IwishIhadcheese? Did you seek it out or was it something your therapist suggested?

Schema therapy really helped me with underlying issues stemming from childhood

Hypnotherapy for severe anxiety, it was strange straight away I felt calmer.

EMDR helped some of the issues shift

CBT helped me rationalise what was happening.

meditation helped me recognise/accept strong emotions.

Ive had talking therapy in the past which has helped me in the moment but not necessarily changed anything long term.

One thing I’ve learnt is anxiety can pop its head up at any time you are never ‘cured’ it’s having the toolkit to manage it when it does or accessing help again if needed.

CAT

Counselling. Had a good therapist who was honest in making me see my attitude to certain things was unhealthy and it did help. You need to be someone open to constructive criticism and self improvement.

Reiki is nonsense.