Exploring Therapy: Finding the Right Fit for You

Hello Readers,

Today, I want to discuss the topic of therapy briefly. There is often a lot of stigma and misconceptions surrounding therapy, and it can sometimes feel like a broad, vague topic. However, therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution. There are diverse types of therapy, each tailored to unique needs. Understanding your challenges is key to finding the right kind of support.

In my journey, I discovered the importance of seeking the right help. For instance, I learned about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) when it was recommended to me as a way to manage unresolved issues from my childhood trauma. This specific therapy helped me understand and work through my triggers.

There are also therapies like Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Somatic Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy—the list goes on. Each of these approaches offers unique tools for healing, depending on what you need.

Sadly, in the country, we do not have a wide range of well-trained practitioners available. But that doesn’t mean help isn’t out there. The internet has made it possible to access therapy online, connecting you with professionals who can guide you, no matter where you are.

While I’m not in a position to recommend specific websites or practitioners, I encourage you to do your research and find what works best for you. The more I learn about myself, the more I realize that therapy goes beyond just talking to someone about your problems. It’s a deep, multifaceted field with different approaches that can make a difference. So, if you're considering therapy, take the time to explore the options. You deserve the right kind of support.

I also have some books I’m currently reading that may help you in your search for therapy and healing. Both books cover the different types of therapies I mentioned above, along with many more, and they provide strategies and techniques that you can use.

1. "The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma" by Bessel van der Kolk: This book explores how trauma impacts the brain and body, drawing on decades of research and clinical practice. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, a leading expert on trauma, explains how traumatic experiences are stored in the body and mind, affecting everything from mental health to physical well-being.
2. "Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving" by Pete Walker: This book is a practical guide for survivors of complex PTSD, a condition that often results from prolonged exposure to trauma, particularly during childhood. Pete Walker, a therapist and survivor himself, provides insights and tools for healing and thriving after trauma.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article on therapy and healing. If you found this information helpful or know someone who might receive help from it, please share. Also, feel free to share your experiences with surviving trauma, finding healing, and any places or books that have helped you and that you might recommend.

Disclaimer: I am not a licensed therapist, counselor, or trained psychologist. What I’m sharing is based on my personal learning experiences, and I hope the information I find useful may benefit others. Please seek proper counseling and therapy help.

If you or anyone you know needs counselling and help, please call the national helpline 1-Tok Kaunselin Helpim Lain (715-08000). This is a confidential phone counseling service set up in 2015 by ChildFund PNG.

Thank you.

#TherapyAwareness #MentalHealth #HealingJourney #thrivenow #healsurvivethrive