Beyond Words: Unveiling the Power of Evidence-Based Therapy
You may have heard the term “Evidence-Based” before, and it sounds good right? But what does it mean? Why does it matter for your therapy treatment? Evidence-based therapies (EBTs) are therapeutic approaches that have been scientifically researched and proven effective through rigorous empirical studies. The goal of EBT’s is to ensure that your therapy actually works. It’s more than “talk therapy” and venting to a neutral source. It is proven therapies to produce changes in your symptoms, happiness, relationships, and overall wellness. If you are looking for the best therapy in Raleigh, we highly recommending seeking out trained therapists who provide some of the therapies mentioned below.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
CBT is one of the most widely researched and practiced evidence-based therapies.
It focuses on identifying, challenging, and changing your negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with painful emotions.
CBT is effective for a range of conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT):
DBT was developed specifically for individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) but has proven effective for other conditions as well.
Four areas taught include Distress Tolerance, Emotional Regulation, Interpersonal Skills, and Mindfulness.
DBT is great for people that feel overwhelmed by their emotions, struggle to maintain healthy friendships or relationships, and have difficulty with impulse control.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):
ACT emphasizes acceptance of thoughts and feelings rather than their elimination.
It incorporates mindfulness and behavioral strategies to help individuals clarify their values and commit to behavior changes aligned with those values.
ACT is proven to be one of the best depression and anxiety treatments.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR):
EMDR is an evidence-based therapy primarily used for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
It involves bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements) to help individuals process traumatic memories and reduce distress.
Unlike other treatments that focus on directly altering the emotions, thoughts and responses resulting from traumatic experiences, EMDR therapy focuses directly on the memory, and is intended to change the way that the memory is stored in the brain, thus reducing and eliminating the problematic symptoms. (APA, 2017)
It involves exposing individuals to anxiety-provoking stimuli while preventing the associated compulsive behaviors.
Internal Family System (IFS)
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic model that views the mind as composed of different parts, each with unique roles. The core Self is central, embodying calmness and compassion.
Therapy focuses on accessing and strengthening the Self, allowing it to lead the internal system. Various parts, such as Exiles, Managers, and Firefighters, are identified and worked with collaboratively.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
CPT is an Evidence Based Treatment for Trauma, which helps identify and challenge negative cognitions and beliefs associated with the trauma (stuck points), promoting cognitive restructuring and a more balanced perspective.
CPT often includes written assignments, such as trauma narratives and worksheets, to facilitate the processing and restructuring of thoughts and emotions related to the traumatic event.
American Psychological Association. (2017, July 13). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/eye-movement-reprocessing
