There are many other types of psychotherapy that are effective in treating anxiety disorders, including interpersonal therapy,
supportive-expressive therapy, narrative therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. Additionally, there are some other lesser known therapies.
such as dance therapy, EMDR, and body-oriented approaches.
An approach to psychotherapy that has been beneficial in treating anxiety disorders is one of a number of body-oriented psychotherapies.
Body-oriented psychotherapies incorporate a range of massage, bodywork and movement techniques into the psychotherapeutic process.
Body-oriented psychotherapy has also been used successfully to treat PTSD in war veterans and women recovering from sexual abuse.
In one study, 31 women were divided into two groups, one of which had regular psychotherapy sessions while the second group had
individual body-oriented therapy sessions with a type of therapy called "Mindful Awareness in Body-oriented Therapy" (MABT). MABT is a
mind-body approach that incorporates massage, mindfulness, and the emotional processing of psychotherapy. Those who participated in the
MABT experienced pain relief, relaxation, and increased feelings of trust and safety.
Dance therapy, sometimes called "movement therapy," is a holistic approach to psychiatric disorders, incorporating an array of medical, psychological,
social, and spiritual concerns. Dance therapy, with its unique emphasis on nonverbal communication in assessment and treatment, is an innovative
therapeutic approach to address the needs of people with anxiety disorders.
Dance therapy has reduced anxiety in a variety of settings, including breast cancer patients, substance abusers, and torture survivors.
In a study using dance therapy with breast cancer survivors who had mastectomies, the use of dance and movement in a therapy setting significantly
reduced anxiety and produced a feeling of well-being.95 In addition, dance therapy helped the women in the study address their fear of death and
grief over multiple losses, including anxiety over bodily disfigurement, and worry about alienation from others.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of "eye movement therapy" which is intended to treat anxiety, stress, and trauma.
Clinical trials have demonstrated EMDR's efficacy in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In some studies it has been shown
to be equivalent to cognitive behavioral and exposure therapies. Although some clinicians may use EMDR for other psychiatric problems, its
research support is primarily for disorders stemming from distressing life experiences.
The theoretical model underlying EMDR treatment hypothesizes that EMDR works by processing distressing memories.
EMDR is based on an information processing model which posits that symptoms arise when events are inadequately processed, and can be eradicated
when the memory is fully processed. EMDR is an integrative therapy because it synthesizes elements of many traditional psychological orientations,
such as psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, experiential, physiological, and interpersonal therapies.
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Price, C. J., McBride, B., Hyerle, L., & Kivlahan, D. R. (2007). Mindful awareness in body-oriented therapy for female veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder taking prescription analgesics for chronic pain: a feasibility study. Altern Ther Health Med, 13(6), 32-40.
Price, C. (2005). Body-oriented therapy in recovery from child sexual abuse: an efficacy study. Altern Ther Health Med, 11(5), 46-57.
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Harris, D. A. (2007). Dance/movement therapy approaches to fostering resilience and recovery among African adolescent torture survivors. Torture, 17(2), 134-155.
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