There have been many advances in mental health treatment in recent decades. However, mental health professionals have yet to discover one specific treatment plan that works for everyone. Therefore, you must receive individualized treatment from a professional who uses evidence base therapy as the foundation of your overall plan.
The Importance of Individualized Treatment Plans
Obtaining individualized therapy is critical because mental and physical health issues may impact you in specific ways. For example, you might have anxiety that manifests in stomach cramps or an inability to eat. It’s possible that an ulcer or some other secondary issue actually causes your stomach cramps. Therefore, you need medication to help you relax without exacerbating that ulcer or other internal problems.
It’s also possible that a lack of appetite has caused damage to your kidneys, liver, or other internal organs. This may limit the types of medication that you can take as you don’t want to ingest anything that might further weaken your organs and wreak havoc on your body’s ability to regulate itself.
The Benefits of Using Evidenced-Based Therapies
The primary benefit of evidence base therapy is that you are more likely to experience positive results in a shorter period. Typically, researchers spend years or decades learning about why a particular system works and a given therapy’s potential drawbacks or inefficiencies. Therefore, when you are ready to seek help, your therapist knows which treatment is likely best for your needs.
The faster you can manage or overcome your addiction or other mental health problems, the quicker you can start rebuilding your life. Depending on your circumstances, timely treatment may allow you to keep your job or develop a relationship with your kids before they are fully grown.
Finally, the less time you spend in treatment, the less money you’ll spend on it. You may be able to function without medication or need to see a therapist daily or weekly. This may enable you to minimize the long-term cost of overcoming addiction, which may be especially important if you don’t have insurance.
Examples of Evidence-Based Therapies
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the best-known EBT therapy available. It aims to help you better understand the relationship between your thoughts and actions. It also allows you to better understand how your current belief system may reinforce negative thoughts or feelings that you might have about yourself or aspects of your life. With treatment, you can begin to think positively about yourself, which can help you move on from your past traumas.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy aims to help your body heal from adverse events in the past. External stimuli such as tapping or musical sounds are used to create new associations with old memories. Altering your body’s response to negative thoughts will eventually allow you to forget about them or reframe them so that they are less harmful to your mental health.
How to Find an Evidence-Based Therapists
You may get the name of an evidence-based therapist by speaking with your primary care physician (PCP). Your insurance provider can also provide you with therapists who meet your needs and are covered by your policy. Social media contacts, friends, or others you trust can also make recommendations.
How EBT Therapy and Individualized Treatment Increase the Odds of Success
Enrolling in EBT therapy tailored to your needs may help you build confidence in both your plan of action and the person tasked with helping you execute it. Therefore, you may be more likely to stick with a treatment plan even if it means that you still experience physical or emotional pain every so often.
Individualized treatment programs that use EBT programs such as CBT or EMDR may offer the best path toward overcoming a mental health issue. Even if you don’t fully overcome your past trauma or overcome a temptation to use drugs or alcohol, these tactics may help you obtain the tools needed to be a functioning person again.
