COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES
Clients mother
: I just dont like the way it makes him act and feel. He doesnt act like himself when he is taking the medications. He isnt sleeping, and its like he is a stranger when he talks to me. I am worried that the cure is worse than his condition. Isnt there something else we can try?
Mental health professional: I hear that you are concerned, and you are looking for something else for us to try. I have some options that we could consider
Often mental health professionals see clients who are concerned that the side effects of the medications are worse than the disorder. Although some research supports the incorporation of a number of alternative therapies, many medical professionals are skeptical of alternative therapies. Additionally, some clients might hesitate to choose complementary or alternative therapies because they perceive them as unscientific.
How might your own preconceived ideas about complementary and alternative therapies affect the options that you suggest to a client? How important is it that mental health professionals be well informed about alternative treatments? How can you expand your awareness of alternative therapies?
For this Discussion, select a topic to discuss:
Alternative approaches used to treat anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders
Complementary approaches in the treatment of anxiety and depression
LEARNING RESOURCES
Required Readings
Burnett-Zeigler, I., Schuette, S., Victorson, D., & Wisner, K. L. (2016).
MindBody Approaches to treating mental health symptoms among disadvantaged populations: A comprehensive review.Links to an external site.
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 22(2), 115-124.
Helan, W., Angela, S., Rachel, N., & Julien, C. (2014).
Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: A Systematic Review.Links to an external site.
Journal Of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, (3), 161-175.
Preston, J. D., ONeal, J. H., Talaga, M. C., & Moore, B. A. (2021).
Handbook of clinical psychopharmacology for therapists(9th ed.). New Harbinger.
Chapter 21, Over-the-Counter Dietary Supplements and Herbal Products (pp. 93-95)
Schuver, K. J., & Lewis, B. A. (2016).
Mindfulness-based yoga intervention for women with depression.Links to an external site.
Complementary Therapies In Medicine, 26, 85-91.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Links to an external site.
(2017). Health. Retrieved from https://nccih.nih.gov/
