Alister Bredee is a therapist and trainer. He is the author of "Full Circle, Dancing the Meridians" and "Energy Essence and Attractor Fields" both are available as an e-books from Banishing Fears and Phobias Where you can download the first chapter for free.
Get Paid to Submit Article like "Can Psychotherapy Really Help?"Therapy in this case means behaviour change or at least behaviour modification, which can be achieved in a number of ways. Psychotherapy all started with Freudian psychoanalysis, but protracted therapy sessions with an analysis slowly grew less popular as people looked for quicker ways to solve their problems.
More recently CBT or Cognitive Behaviour Therapy which has evolved from behaviour Modification Therapy has become increasingly more popular. It is now in common usage as a treatment option and is widely accepted as an empirically based and cost effective treatment alternative by the medical establishment. Thus it is used to address many disorders and psychological problems. If for instance somebody is suffering from an anxiety state such as the fear of flying the person will set up a number of protective behaviours that will guard them from the belief that flying is inherently dangerous. Overall they will probably avoid flying in an aeroplane at all. If forced some people will travel by air but in great discomfort and under a lot of stress. In some cases anti-anxiety drugs may alleviate this. However, if the individual avoids flying altogether they will find that the behaviour inhibits them in many avenues of life. For instance it will be difficult to travel on overseas holidays which might result in family pressures. More likely the real crunch will come when the person is required to travel abroad for work reasons. A refusal or inability to fly could have huge repercussions on work prospects and could lead to the loss of a job. However, we all have feelings about flying which can range on one hand to an exhilarating adventure and to the other to something that is dreaded, I think all will agree it would be nice to have a choice in the matter. CBT is able to help in situations like this by getting the subject to examine the beliefs that came into being that designated flying as something dangerous. Frequently the cause events go back to childhood. However, CBT is unable to deal with a problem like fear of flying quickly. It will take several months to come to a place where the subject is able to take a plane and travel to a destination with acceptably reduced stress levels. Unfortunately people in need of this treatment to offset the fear of flying usually do not have the luxury of this elongated time frame. Very often business executives are notified of overseas business trips just a few short weeks before departure date. Moreover treatment requires severall therapy sessions and this can work out costly. However, it must be said that treatment techniques like CBT are considerably better than those that preceded them, so it seems we are on a gradually improving learning curve.
However, when we go outside the empirically proven techniques that fit within the belief structures of the scientific principals favoured by the medical profession we do come to therapies that are quick and effective, Hypnosis or more precisely hypnotherapy has gained favour over the years because it can be effective and it can be quick. Some people are afraid because there are so many misconceptions about hypnosis. Many people think that a cloaked Svengali figure will take possession of their minds whilst waving a pocket watch in front of their eyes. This is nonsensical but stereotyped images like this get in the way of the true effectiveness of hypnosis.
More recently the Meridian Energy Therapies have gained some popularity. The best known of these therapies is EFT or Emotional Freedom Technique. There is no hypnosis involved merely the tapping of the end points of the acupuncture meridians in a form of acupressure. EFT has had some amazing results from ridding people of life long phobias in a matter of minutes to curing Dengue Fever! It can be effective and is worth checking out because psychotherapy in the expert hands of a capable practitioner can result in truly amazing long-term benefits.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Brief Descriptions of Psychotherapy and Counselling Methods -part 1
- Counseling and Psychotherapy Part 2
- The Different Therapies Of Depression
- Psychotherapist Depression Therapy
- Coaching & Psychotherapy
- What is Holistic Psychotherapy?
- What to Consider When Starting Psychotherapy
- Why Does Cognitive Therapy Not Work In Every Psychological Condition?
Will Medication Stop Panic Attacks?
By: fatimah edris | 27/12/2009If you know that you are suffering from panic attack, it will be wise to look for solutions to stop panic attacks as soon as possible
Panic Attack Medication – Can It Really Help?
By: Blaine Scott | 27/12/2009Medications aren’t the only means of treating panic attacks, but they can sure help. Here’s some information that will help you understand some of the available options.
Learning How to Stop Panic Attacks for A Better You
By: Robert Woods | 26/12/2009Panic attacks can happen any time, any place, typically without warning. So know I knew a way that made it possible for me to control my panic attacks better. Natural remedies used with some de-stressing tips offer a long term solution. Learning how to stop panic attacks is very important.
How to Remove Anxiety and Panic Attacks From your Life
By: Robert Woods | 26/12/2009Panic attacks can be overcome, it is totally possible to remove anxiety from our lives. There are things that can happen to any of us at any point in our lives that could change the way we deal with all things in our life.
How to Stop Panic Attacks Naturally Starting Today!
By: Robert Woods | 26/12/2009One great way to stop panic attacks is to lie down, if possible, or relax as best you can and imagine yourself on a beach, walking barefoot in the sand.If possible they can come to where you are at to help, but even a phone call can do wonders at relieving stress.
Understanding Anxiety - Signs and Symptoms of Panic Attacks
By: Robert Woods | 26/12/2009Panic attacks occur for different reasons and affect people differently. For instance, counseling is a good way to help you identify what some underlying triggers are. One thing is evident about these attacks; they can take a toll on the body.
Panic Attack Treatment - Trying Meditation as an Alternative
By: Robert Woods | 26/12/2009Panic attack is a situation in which the person is suddenly gripped with a sense of fear about something that may or may not be relevant. You need panic attack treatment if you feel that you are constantly losing control of yourself.
Heal Allergies Fast With a Simple Acupressure Technique
By: alisterbredee | 04/12/2007 | Alternative MedicineCalifornia acupuncturist Tapas Fleming came up with a simple acupressure technique that she called TAT. It proved useful in treating allergies and much, much more.
Can Behaviour Change Techniques Really Help?
By: alisterbredee | 23/11/2007 | Mental HealthIn the past Freudian analysis was a major therapeutic tool. It was slow and newer techniques like CBT or Cognitive Behaviour Therapy are considerably quicker, but they are still too slow. Fortunately there are still newer treatment methods that are swifter and even more effective.
Eat Right for your Type
By: alisterbredee | 28/05/2007 | HealthYou can save time by eating fast food and you can get better by taking a quick acting pill. It seems in this age of McDo nald’s, health is degenerating. Fasting or forgoing food is the world’s most ancient and natural healing procedure. When animals feel unwell they stop eating and rest. This ‘cleanse’ reaches down into every cell and produces truly remarkable therapeutic results. Main stream opinion today tends to dismiss this health-promoting trend as “faddy and New Age”. Unlike some pharmaceutical medicines none of these practices do harm. Fasting and cleansing with the help of enemas and colonics have become increasingly more popular with those truly anxious to bring their health up to speed.
Fasting your Way to Wellness
By: alisterbredee | 28/05/2007 | HealthYou can save time by eating fast food and you can get better by taking a quick acting pill. It seems in this age of McDo nald’s, health is degenerating. Fasting or forgoing food is the world’s most ancient and natural healing procedure. When animals feel unwell they stop eating and rest. This ‘cleanse’ reaches down into every cell and produces truly remarkable therapeutic results. Main stream opinion today tends to dismiss this health-promoting trend as “faddy and New Age”. Unlike some pharmaceutical medicines none of these practices do harm. Fasting and cleansing with the help of enemas and colonics have become increasingly more popular with those truly anxious to bring their health up to speed.
Fasting and Cleansing in Koh Samui
By: alisterbredee | 24/05/2007 | HealthIn the past couple of years Pete has made four visits and has completed 2 de-tox fasts at “The Health Oasis Resort” on the Thai tropical island of Koh Samui. Originally he finished what the “Resort” describes as a Nurture Fast. This is a comprehensive de-toxification programme. In essence you forgo food for nine days. After this he lost 7 kilos in weight. To assist in the elimination process guests at ‘spas’ like Health Oasis Resort cleanse with the help of colonic irrigation, magnesium oxide and experience a liver flush at the end of the treatment. The fasting and cleansing programme reminds him to eat healthily and exercise regularly when he leaves the lush paradise of Koh Samui and returns to the real world.
Yoga for Mind, Body and Spirit
By: alisterbredee | 21/05/2007 | HealthEvery morning she joins several other guests in one and a half-hours of Hatha Yoga as part of her mental and spiritual de-tox programme. Before coming to Koh Samui Janca would never have dreamed of embracing this oriental exercise system. Yoga is a ‘Sanskrit’ word and it means ‘joining or uniting’. The emphasis here dwells on enlightenment of the mind (ha) via purification on the physical plane through the medium of exercise, which leads to the increase of ‘prana’ or life force energy (tha). People like this flock to 'spa’ type location such as the Health Oasis Resort in Thailand’s Koh Samui to achieve this increase in energy and well being, and yoga is one of the means of achieving that end.
How to Live Longer and Stay Healthier Thanks to an Asian Spa
By: alisterbredee | 19/05/2007 | HealthIn Thailand the notion of spa is a blend of ancient tradition comprising massage and meditation and herbal baths and steam rooms. There is however, a different type of spa that came into existence in the early 1990s. Destinations such as Koh Samui attracted a younger and more health conscious tourist. Today people flock from all over the globe to stunning locations such as the Health Oasis Resort order to be part of this remarkable health conscious philosophy. It is a five point programme that embraces firstly cleansing. breathing, eating according to your blood type, exercise and meditation.