There are various anxiety treatment options available to help individuals manage and alleviate their anxiety. These approaches vary in their techniques, goals, and what individuals can expect during the treatment process.
1. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
- What’s involved: SFBT is a future-oriented therapy that focuses on identifying solutions and building on existing strengths and resources, rather than dwelling on problems or past experiences. In SFBT, the therapist may begin by acknowledging the client’s problems but will quickly shift the focus to what the client wants to achieve instead. The therapist may ask questions to help the client envision their preferred future and identify exceptions to their anxiety, where they have successfully coped or managed their symptoms. The therapist may also help the client to transform problem descriptions into desired outcomes.
- What to expect: Clients can expect a collaborative approach where their own expertise and motivation are valued. Treatment length is often variable and individualised. SFBT aims to help clients create small changes that can lead to larger improvements, focusing on accountability and action. Clients may gain insight during or after treatment, but the primary focus is on building solutions rather than understanding the root causes of anxiety.
2. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- What’s involved: ACT aims to foster psychological flexibility by encouraging acceptance of unwanted thoughts and feelings, rather than struggling against them. Clients are encouraged to identify their values and commit to actions aligned with those values, even in the presence of anxiety. Mindfulness techniques are used to observe thoughts and feelings without judgment. Experiential avoidance, the attempt to avoid or suppress negative emotions, is a key target in ACT. Exposure exercises, when used, are reframed within an acceptance and mastery of experiencing framework, with the goal of living a valued life rather than simply reducing anxiety.
- What to expect: Clients can expect to actively participate in experiential exercises and discussions. Therapy may involve homework and the use of forms to track progress and values-driven actions. ACT does not view anxiety as something to be eliminated but rather as a normal part of human experience. The goal is to change how clients respond to their emotional and psychological experiences, making room for those experiences while freeing up space for valued living. Symptom alleviation may occur, but it is not the primary focus.
3. Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
- What’s involved: NLP operates on the principle that every human experience has a structure that can be identified and modified. NLP techniques use structured terminology, body movements, and imagery to achieve specific objectives. These objectives include teaching people to use their minds more effectively, considering future events from a calm state of mind, and choosing new methods for dealing with anxiety.
- What to expect: NLP aims to reprogram the mind to change responses to different situations. This can involve visualisation and other techniques designed to empower individuals and promote a calm, self-assured mentality.
4. Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
- What’s involved: This is an intensive talking therapy that aims to help people understand and come to terms with the reasons for their anxieties that they may not have recognised themselves.
- What to expect: The treatment can take place in groups or individually and is usually weekly for several weeks or months.
5. Somatic Therapies
- What’s involved: Somatic therapies involve addressing dissociative tendencies.
- What to expect: While many people swear by somatic approaches, they don’t help everyone. The best outcomes, regardless of modality, tend to occur when the therapist is empathic and engaged, and when the client is comfortable and dedicated to the process.
6. Medication
- What’s involved: Medication is often used in combination with psychotherapy for sustained response, and works by targeting deficits.
- What to expect: Clients who have a detailed description of what the first signs of recovery might look like, assuming that the medication takes effect, and how the recovery will further manifest itself, may have more success.
Summary: Anxiety treatment options
Anxiety treatment options include a range of approaches such as SFBT, ACT, NLP, medication, and other therapies and techniques. SFBT focuses on solutions and building on existing strengths. ACT aims to accept unwanted thoughts and feelings and commit to valued actions. NLP seeks to reprogram the mind using specific techniques. Medication can be effective when integrated into an overall treatment plan. The choice of treatment depends on individual preferences, the nature of the anxiety, and the guidance of a mental health professional.
Tags: anxiety treatment options, SFBT, ACT, NLP, psychotherapy, medication, relaxation, mindfulness, exercise.