Mental Health Minute
- Brody & Mayalene Bates
- Sep 10
- 2 min read
Exploring Therapy Options for --
DEPRESSION, ANXIETY & SUBSTANCE USE Disorders
When you're facing depression, anxiety, or substance use challenges, finding the right kind of therapy can be life-changing. Mental health isn’t one-size-fits-all—and thankfully, therapy isn’t either. There are multiple evidence-based approaches designed to help you process trauma, build resilience, and create lasting change.
Here are a few effective modalities to consider:
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
IFS is a powerful, trauma-informed approach that views the mind as made up of different “parts,” each with its own voice and role. Many of us carry wounded parts due to past trauma—and IFS helps us identify, understand, and heal them with compassion.
Especially effective for:
Childhood trauma
Emotional regulation
Deep-rooted beliefs and behaviors
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns. It’s highly structured and practical, helping people develop healthier ways of thinking and behaving in everyday life.
Especially effective for:
Anxiety & depression
Substance use relapse prevention
Coping skills development
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Originally developed for PTSD, EMDR helps people reprocess traumatic memories so they no longer cause emotional distress. It’s becoming increasingly used in treating addiction and anxiety.
Especially effective for:
Trauma-related anxiety
Substance use with a trauma history
Intrusive thoughts
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
MI is a collaborative approach that helps people strengthen their motivation and commitment to change—particularly helpful when ambivalence or fear is present, which is common with addiction and depression.
Especially effective for:
Substance use disorders
Building readiness for change
Goal-setting
Why Trauma-Based Therapy Matters
Many symptoms of depression, anxiety, and addiction are rooted in unresolved trauma. Trauma-informed approaches like IFS and EMDR don’t just treat the symptoms—they go deeper to heal the source, empowering people to break free from self-destructive cycles and build healthier habits from the inside out.
The takeaway: Healing is possible—and the right therapeutic approach can help guide that journey. Whether you’re exploring therapy for the first time or looking for something new, consider modalities that not only address symptoms but support deep, lasting growth.
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