DrRoberta Investigate alternative psychotherapy.
Alternative psychotherapy is conducted by a qualified therapist who knows how to treat emotional problems in a traditional manner, but instead uses several combined methods to achieve quicker results in fewer sessions.
Counseling, writing, tapping, guided imagery, and assigned homework, are the methods usually combined. Here’s an example:
Judy came to therapy to help her recover from the shock and disappointment of being left at the altar. Her fiancé told her, the morning of their wedding, that he could not and would not go through with it. All the guests were on the way, the caterers were cooking, and Judy was left crying. Two weeks later she was still crying so it was time for therapy.
In one session she:
- Told the therapist what happened and they discussed her reaction (counseling)
- The therapist taught her how to tap to decrease her reactive feelings (tapping)
- The therapist asked her to list all the reasons why it was better for the fiancé to reveal his true feelings now, rather than years later (writing)
- The therapist conducted a hypnosis session to re-live that traumatic day without the shock and the strong feelings. (guided imagery) That part of the session was recorded.
- Judy was told how to tap at home and advised to do so once each day, and also to listen to her imagery recording once each day.
She scheduled two additional sessions, one month later and then three months after that. At the second session she and the therapist determined that the third appointment was not necessary; she could continue on her own. Her life was back on track.
