Two Non-Traditional Therapies That Transformed My Life

Seeking treatment at Morningside Recovery is the best thing I’ve done for my recovery. The intensive treatment I’ve received has helped me change many parts of my life. Not only am I receiving help to stay clean and sober, but I am also getting help dealing with traumatic experiences from childhood. These two non traditional therapies have especially helped me to overcome insomnia, addiction, and trauma:

EMDR

EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) has helped me process trauma that left me afraid to go to sleep at night and afraid of the dark. With EMDR I’ve been able to process the trauma where it no longer affects me.

The goal of EMDR is to reduce the long lasting effects of distressing memories by developing more adaptive coping mechanisms.

The EMDR therapist moves her fingers back and forth in front of my face, and asks me to follow the hand motions with my eyes. Another technique is using bilateral stimulation, which repeatedly activates the opposite sides of the brain, releasing emotional experiences that are trapped in the nervous system. This has improved my sleep patterns and relieved me of terrible nightmares. I can finally sleep at night.

Tai Chi

Taking Tai Chi classes at Morningside has also improved my sleeping patterns. It helps lower blood pressure, improve productivity, and increase brain function, by building synapses that have collapsed due to drug use. It also relieves stress and anxiety, and improves mental focus.

In Tai Chi I’ve learned how to relax and relieve my anxiety by doing Yin style breathing. I breathe in slowly through the nose for a 4, 5,or 6 count and then breathe out through the nose or mouth using the same count, then wait two seconds and repeat.

Yang style breathing helps with depression or tiredness. I breathe in slowly by the nose for 4, 5, or 6 count, hold it for 2 seconds, then breathe out through the nose or mouth using the same count.

Practicing the Martial Arts movements and the Yin/Yang breathing has helped me in my recovery process. I feel so relieved and focused after every class.

Traditional and Non Traditional Therapies Benefits

Traditional therapy can include 12 step recovery, non 12 step rehab, experiential therapy, and holistic therapy. Overall, the addiction therapy services and processing groups help me to have a better outlook on life. Not only am I able to open up and talk about my issues, but I also have a big support system at Morningside Recovery. My life has definitely changed and I’m on my way to a brighter future.

Call Morningside Recovery today at 855-631-2135 to learn how you can get started on your own path to recovery with traditional and non traditional therapies.

Blog by Kristy U., Morningside Recovery client