All models of therapy seek to create change - even if the change is ultimately a transformation to an attitude of acceptance. Here are some examples of approaches and methods to evaluate, re-learn, and re-create our lives:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) involves increasing our psychological flexibility by 1) getting connected with our values, 2) unhooking from unhelpful thoughts, 3) opening up to difficult emotions, 4) connecting with the present moment, 5) connecting with the observer inside us, and 6) doing what it takes to align our lives with what we feel is most important. Each of these 6 areas can be useful in and of themselves, but they are also powerful when combined (for example, mentally connecting with what's going on right now, noticing a thought or feeling that arises, and connecting with who we want to be).
- Person Centered and Existential: talking about our thoughts and feelings is an essential ingredient for developing awareness of ourselves and what we want to change. One perspective in psychology is that we become people based on the "mirrors" which others provide for us. Some of the issues we face are universal for all human beings, such as finding meaningful pursuits, coping with isolation, making choices that exclude other opportunities, and facing the inherent limitations of life and death.
- Depth/Jungian Psychology: this psychodynamic kind of work is about developing a conscious awareness of our inner complexities and developing a different relationship to these associated thoughts and emotions through a kind of "mythopoetic" personification. From the perspective of the conscious mind (or ego), it can sometimes seem like we are "not alone in the house" of the mind, so to speak. Depth psychological work is inherently mindful and often involves the active use of imagination to interact with the mind and the self. Dream tending can be a helpful process for deciphering the unique meaning of our own life symbols which can also intersect with broader archetypal themes of our culture(s) and world. Check out this video of Aaron Beck, father of cognitive therapy, talking about integrating psychodynamic therapy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZnDn5t-CKY - Drama Therapy: We tend to learn while "in action" and Drama Therapy offers a way to relearn and rehearse intended actions in a safe environment. Any therapy has the potential to only access the "head level" and not get to the deeper emotions that often trigger behaviors. Drama Therapy is a set of tools that helps us to get into our bodies and connect with the core issues we want to change.
