Addictions - Including Substances, Self Harming Practices, Sexual Assault Dance-Movement Therapy

Addictions - Including Substances, Self Harming Practices, Sexual Assault

While some people can use prescription or recreational drugs with no negative effects, many others become addicted and face dramatic health and lifestyle problems as a result. Substance addictions negatively affect relationships, home, school or work, leaving the person feeling ashamed, helpless and isolated.

Physical symptoms of substance abuse and addiction are varied depending on the drug of choice, but the symptoms of the addiction itself are similar. People who are addicted to substances may neglect their responsibilities, take potentially dangerous risks and get into trouble with the law. As their drug use spirals out of control, they will lose interest in activities that used to be enjoyable and continue to take drugs despite knowing the harm it causes.

Substance addicts tend to build up a tolerance to their drug of choice, and get angry when they can't get more of it. Withdrawal symptoms are highly probable when an addict goes without it for too long. Depression, nausea, insomnia, sweating, restlessness, anxiety and shaking are all common withdrawal symptoms.

Psychotherapy can help you to overcome substance addiction by focusing on correcting maladaptive behaviors. Substance abuse is usually a coping mechanism against emotionally overwhelming past events or memories. Substances are often used to provide instant gratification instead of facing certain issues.

Therapists are equipped to help clients deal with addiction recovery through empowerment and helping them set simple short term targets. The first target is sobriety, followed by empowering the client with adaptive skills and finding new coping strategies that deal with the issues that caused the addiction. Substance addiction can be ended, allowing the person to live a healthy, productive life.

If you need a counsellor or psychologist to help you address the effects of substance addiction, you can search the directory below to find a professional with the approach best suited to your situation.

Sexual assault or abuse in childhood often causes psychological and emotional difficulties as the victim grows up. A child who is abused by a parent, is likely to suffer from severe anxiety, low self-esteem, uncontrollable anger, depression and intimacy issues. However, sexual assault is not limited to children, and it can harm an adult emotionally too.

Immediately after sexual assault, a person may not immediately experience pain or fear. They may even experience moments of pleasure, which can cause a lot of confusion and inner turmoil. They may feel betrayed if the abuser is a relative or acquaintance, but at the same time, feel guilty for reporting the sexual assault and getting the abuser in trouble. Abusers often lie to their victims, or reward them, and threats can deepen the emotional trauma.

A victim of sexual assault will often have trouble coping with relationships that are growing close, or with people physically touching them. When starting a relationship, memories will start to occur and they will cause trouble with intimacy in the relationship. Some people who have experienced sexual assault will become promiscuous, which can cause even more guilt.

It is essential for sexual assault survivors to receive counselling from a professional psychologist who is experienced in sexual assault. A therapist will help the victim to work through emotions and help clarify his or her choices. Working through the emotions of anger, guilt and shame will help to facilitate emotional healing. EMDR has been proven a very effective treatment for post traumatic stress disorder in sexual assault victims.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who offers sexual assault counselling to address your emotional healing issues you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Dance-Movement Therapy, Shamanism

Psychotherapists who facilitate Dance-Movement Therapy use movement to promote physical, spiritual, cognitive and emotional development. This type of therapy is suitable for people of all ages, and it is particularly helpful for people with mental and emotional health needs, physical disabilities, addictions, and personal development requirements.

Each client will have different needs to address through dance-movement therapy, but it will include the therapist observing a client's physical movements. Physical movement can bring great insight into a client's emotional, cognitive and behavioural state. The therapist can then plan movement sessions, sometimes in groups, to cater to the group  or a single individual's requirements.

Dance-Movement Therapy offers a safe environment for clients to communicate, acknowledge and contain their feelings and to encourage positive interactions with other individuals.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers Dance-Movement Therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Individuals who suffers from emotional, physical or spiritual difficulties may benefit from this ancient form of healing. Shamanic healing affects each individual differently. Often people report feeling stronger, lighter, clearer and more grounded. When working with a good practitioner clients often report feeling a deep sense of calm and sense that a shift has occurred. 

For further information, and to determine whether this is right for you, you will want to speak directly to a practitioner and/or do further research on the topic.

 

Note: You may narrow your search by selecting more than one filter below.

Tannis Hugill

M.A., RCC
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I am a Dance-movement and Drama Therapist, BC Clinical Counsellor and Spiritual Director with an MA in Somatic Psychology. I bring over thirty-five years of experience to my work with individuals, groups, adolescents... Read more