When it comes to mental health treatment, Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is often the go-to solution. CBT operates on the premise that thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are intertwined and that negative or irrational beliefs can be challenged and changed. Although effective for some, CBT often falls short of addressing the underlying causes of emotional distress. Mind-body therapy, on the other hand, employs a range of methods that use the body as a source of feedback and information to improve emotional states. In this article, we will explore the benefits of mind-body therapy over CBT and why a combination of both is often necessary for lasting change.
Mind-body therapy is a collection of techniques that uses the body as a source of information to enhance emotional well-being. Examples of mind-body therapy include mindfulness, body scanning, intentional breathing, EFT tapping, and creative visualisation. These methods allow individuals to become more aware of the sensations, emotions, and memories that are stored in the body and to release them in a safe and gentle way. Mind-body therapy can be particularly useful in healing from trauma, managing stress, and enhancing overall well-being.
Are CBT and Mind-body Therapy compatible?
At first glance, mind-body therapy and CBT may seem contradictory. However, the two modes of therapy can complement each other and work together to facilitate deeper, long-lasting change. Although CBT emphasises cognitive functions, such as logical reasoning, we are far less rational beings than we think. However, neuroscience research has long established that our brain has older regions responsible for ensuring our survival that react to perceived danger by sounding the alarm and preparing the body for a fight, flight, or freeze response. When these regions are highly activated, emotional arousal can override our capacity for logical reasoning and our rational brain loses control.
For individuals who have experienced trauma or been exposed to adverse psychological conditions for a long time, CBT may not be sufficient. If a person’s brain perceives a situation as threatening due to past traumatic experiences, it may prepare the body for an emotional response that matches the level of perceived threat, even if the current situation is not objectively threatening. In these instances, the CBT skill set can only be effective until an individual reaches a heightened emotional state where the trigger is too strong. This is where mind-body therapy can help.
Access to ’emotional brain’
Mind-body therapy uses sensory information and images, such as those we experience in our dreams, to communicate with the ’emotional brain’. These approaches can help individuals increase their awareness of what is going on inside their bodies and use this awareness to establish communication between the body and mind. Mind-body therapy can release unnecessary tensions, lower nervous system arousal, and facilitate a sense of calm. Additionally, it can be very effective in diagnosing and rewiring the brain to defuse trauma, reduce triggers, and maintain ongoing communication between the rational and emotional parts of the brain.
In conclusion, a combination of both mind-body therapy and CBT can help individuals achieve deeper, long-lasting change. If you are experiencing emotional distress as a result of trauma or persistent struggles that may be a result of unrecognised trauma, a holistic approach to therapy may be more effective. Please feel free to contact me to explore how a combination of these two therapies can benefit you on your journey to healing.
Extinction rebellion of our body