Mind-body therapies, according to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), are a “group of healing techniques that enhance the mind’s interactions with bodily function, to induce relaxation and to improve overall health and well-being.” Some of the different types of mind-body therapies with teenagers include, but are not limited to, the following, provided by Ohio State University:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Guided imagery and self-hypnosis
- Heart-centered practices
- Massage
- Meditation
- Mindfulness
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Relaxation response
- Biofeedback
- Tai chi
- Yoga
Mind-body approaches are commonly used to treat a various health conditions (e.g., obesity, insomnia, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal problems, depression, etc.) that directly impact teenage mental health. A review published in the journal The Nurse Practitioner, exploring the use of mind-body therapies for teens with anxiety, explains that “mind-body therapies encompass self-regulation and positive thinking […] to help promote self-control, physical health, and emotional well-being.” Empirical evidence illuminates several benefits of biofeedback, as this mind-body therapy has shown to help relieve symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), help young people with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) focus, and reduce chronic physical pain associated with eating disorders, addiction, and depression.
Integrating mind-body approaches into teen mental health care can enhance treatment outcomes and support their overall development. Placing dual focus on engaging the brain and body in the therapeutic process can strengthen the therapeutic alliance, which is directly linked to treatment outcome. Further, through enlisting both the mind and body, the brain is better able to integrate information and work toward easing symptoms that present in the body. Mind-body therapies can benefit teenage mental health treatment because they encourage relaxation, improve coping skills, reduce tension, moderate pain, and lessen the need for medication. Researchers have scientifically proven the complex links between the mind and body, and as such, mind-body therapies are among the most used complementary mental health treatment approaches, for people of all ages, and they continue to increase in popularity.
For Information and Support
Every family in need of mental health treatment must select a program that will best suit the needs of their family. When one member of a family struggles, it impacts everyone in the family unit. To maximize the benefits of treatment we work closely with the entire family to ensure that everyone is receiving the support they need through these difficult times.
Seeking help is never easy, but you are not alone! If you or someone you know needs mental health treatment, we strongly encourage you to reach out for help as quickly as possible. It is not uncommon for many mental health difficulties to impact a person’s life, long term. Pursuing support at the beginning of one’s journey can put the individual in the best position to learn how to manage themselves in a healthy way so they can go on to live happy and fulfilling lives.
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