Mind Body Therapies

Overview

Mind-Body Therapies includes a number of non-pharmacological treatments intended for those struggling with mental health disorders, but not necessarily responding well to pharmacological and/or psychological interventions. For example: A surprising 2/3 of people with major depressive disorder (MDD) are not helped by typically effective psychological treatments and/or medication.

Usually requiring multiple sessions, mind-body treatments have been documented as safe and successful for reducing or eliminating symptoms of phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), increasing impulse control and treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), major depressive disorder (MDD) and substance abuse, as well as treating minor traumatic brain injury (MTBI).

Research indicates mind-body therapies can also optimize treatment gains and enhance clinical outcomes when used in conjunction with other treatment approaches, such as standard cognitive behavior therapy (CBT).

Mind-body therapies offered at CFI

Biofeedback therapy: Teaches control of normally involuntary bodily processes, such as muscle tension, blood pressure or heart rate. Specific biofeedback techniques include:

Applied relaxation training: Mind-body exercises aimed at relieving GAD symptoms

Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB): Harmonizing of cardiovascular and physiological systems to positively affect such conditions as depression and anxiety

Neurofeedback therapy: A form of biofeedback that measures and monitors central nervous system activities and regulates brainwave activity to retrain and rebalance areas of the brain

Mindfulness and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR): Forms of meditative or breathing practices to alleviate suffering associated with physical, psychosomatic and psychiatric disorders

Mindfulness/meditation: Practices exploring one’s internal mental, emotional and physical processes toward greater self-understanding and wisdom

Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR): Deep relaxation technique used to control stress and anxiety, relieve insomnia and reduce chronic pain

Yoga-based breathing techniques: Also known as deep diaphragmatic breathing, these are breathing techniques to help manage thoughts, moods and experiences

Virtual reality therapy (VRT): Use of VR technology along with biofeedback to navigate stressful or anxiety-provoking situations in a safe environment.

Candidates for Mind-Body Therapies

Mind-body therapies may be used by people of all ages and in various stages of health and development. Even those without symptoms of adverse health may benefit from the understanding they gain in relation to how their body functions.

Individuals may be referred for biofeedback or mindfulness training, for example, as alternative or adjunctive therapy for several reasons, including:

- Current treatment may be producing insufficient or no responses
- Intolerance to medication or when medication is contraindicated (such as during pregnancy or breastfeeding)
- When not adhering to current treatment regimens
- In response to those requesting additional help or therapy
- When stress is a significant component of a medical condition
- Self‐selection, for those valuing self‐control and enhanced performance

Individuals might consider neurofeedback training, especially when common conditions like depression, ADHD, anxiety and concussions are not responding to typical treatment. Studies show neurofeedback has helped: