Alternatives in Mental Health - Therapies, Practitioners and Other Resources

Alternative and complementary therapies are increasingly popular in this country and a wide range of approaches has become available. Most complementary therapists emphasise that they adopt a 'holistic' approach - that they address physical, mental and emotional factors - treating the whole person rather than just a set of symptoms.

These therapies are used to help with a variety of problems, such as pain and tension, sleep problems, stress and depression. They may help relieve anxiety and distress and increase your sense of mental and physical well-being.

There has been a growing interest in alternative and complementary therapies among recipients and some providers of mental health services. You can find some of these therapies on offer in day centres, health care settings, and so on. People experiencing either acute or more ongoing distress report finding many of these therapies calming and reassuring. If these therapies are practiced and used correctly, reports of adverse effects are rare.

Choosing a therapy and practitioner

Selecting a therapy from the wide range available can be a daunting task. Reading about what is available can help, as can advice or recommendations from friends. Use your instinct in choosing a therapy that feels right for you.

It is always possible for an individual to set up and practice with few or no qualifications or very little training, so make sure you choose a qualified practitioner or a member of a reliable professional body. Check how much the treatment will cost before it starts and ask how many sessions you are likely to need; ask whether the practitioner is experienced in treating the kinds of problems that you are seeking help with, and how long he or she has been practising.

Local practitioners

We have a list of practitioners who all work in and around Lambeth and Southwark and who generously took part in the 2004 taster day or supported our project in other ways.

What to expect

An initial session with an alternative practitioner will usually last at least 45 minutes, allowing the therapist to build up a picture of your problems in the context of your life. Therapists are likely to take into account such factors as your lifestyle, diet, predominant emotions, your unique life history and present situation. The time and attention given can feel very different from a short appointment with a busy doctor, and can be therapeutic in itself.

Most therapists work privately and fees can range from about £10 to £35 (and more) per session, and although some practitioners will negotiate a fee according to your income, the cost means that these therapies may be hard to afford if you are on benefits or a low wage. However, you can find some free and low-cost options available: with a supervised student at a training institute, for instance, or through some voluntary sector organisations.

Some alternative treatments are available on the NHS for people experiencing emotional distress or mental health problems. Some GP's surgeries have complementary therapies available, and some GPs may have extra training in a specific therapies themselves. Speak to the practice manager or your GP to find out what is available.

You may find some disagreement within the medical profession about the value of complementary therapies, although more and more people choose to visit these practitioners every year. Many people use them not as an 'alternative' but alongside, or 'complementary' to, conventional medicine, continuing to visit their doctor as necessary as well. It is advisable to tell your doctor about your alternative treatment in case of any drug interactions or unexplained symptoms or problems.

Types of therapies, organisations and centres

There are too many types of alternative therapies to explain or list on this website, but one guide that we looked at says that they might be divided into the seven categories below - click on a category for more details about the therapies and details of some relevant organisations and centres. We also have a list of local practitioners.

Alternative Systems of Medicine:
e.g. homeopathy, traditional chinese medicine (includes acupuncture), ayurveda (a traditional Indian system)

Exercise / Movement Therapies:
e.g. yoga, dance, t'ai chi.

Nature Cures:
e.g. diet and nutrition, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, flower remedies

Psychological and Relaxation Therapies:
e.g. hypnotherapy, meditation, autogenic training

Sensory / Creative Therapies:
e.g. colour therapy, arts and creative therapies

Spiritual or Energy Healing / Diagnosis:
e.g. spiritual healing, energy healing, reiki

Touch / Manipulative Therapies:
e.g. massage, reflexology, cranio-sacral therapy, shiatsu, osteopathy

(Adapted from ‘A Brief Guide to Treatments’, OpenMind magazine 1993, Mind Publications)






	Choosing a therapy and practitioner \| Practitioners \| What to expect \| Types of therapies, organisations and centres Alternative and complementary therapies are increasingly popular in this country and a wide range of approaches has become available. Most complementary therapists emphasise that they adopt a 'holistic' approach - that they address physical, mental and emotional factors - treating the whole person rather than just a set of symptoms. These therapies are used to help with a variety of problems, such as pain and tension, sleep problems, stress and depression. They may help relieve anxiety and distress and increase your sense of mental and physical well-being. There has been a growing interest in alternative and complementary therapies among recipients and some providers of mental health services. You can find some of these therapies on offer in day centres, health care settings, and so on. People experiencing either acute or more ongoing distress report finding many of these therapies calming and reassuring. If these therapies are practiced and used correctly, reports of adverse effects are rare. Choosing a therapy and practitioner Selecting a therapy from the wide range available can be a daunting task. Reading about what is available can help, as can advice or recommendations from friends. Use your instinct in choosing a therapy that feels right for you. It is always possible for an individual to set up and practice with few or no qualifications or very little training, so make sure you choose a qualified practitioner or a member of a reliable professional body. Check how much the treatment will cost before it starts and ask how many sessions you are likely to need; ask whether the practitioner is experienced in treating the kinds of problems that you are seeking help with, and how long he or she has been practising. Local practitioners We have a list of practitioners who all work in and around Lambeth and Southwark and who generously took part in the 2004 taster day or supported our project in other ways. What to expect An initial session with an alternative practitioner will usually last at least 45 minutes, allowing the therapist to build up a picture of your problems in the context of your life. Therapists are likely to take into account such factors as your lifestyle, diet, predominant emotions, your unique life history and present situation. The time and attention given can feel very different from a short appointment with a busy doctor, and can be therapeutic in itself. Most therapists work privately and fees can range from about £10 to £35 (and more) per session, and although some practitioners will negotiate a fee according to your income, the cost means that these therapies may be hard to afford if you are on benefits or a low wage. However, you can find some free and low-cost options available: with a supervised student at a training institute, for instance, or through some voluntary sector organisations. Some alternative treatments are available on the NHS for people experiencing emotional distress or mental health problems. Some GP's surgeries have complementary therapies available, and some GPs may have extra training in a specific therapies themselves. Speak to the practice manager or your GP to find out what is available. You may find some disagreement within the medical profession about the value of complementary therapies, although more and more people choose to visit these practitioners every year. Many people use them not as an 'alternative' but alongside, or 'complementary' to, conventional medicine, continuing to visit their doctor as necessary as well. It is advisable to tell your doctor about your alternative treatment in case of any drug interactions or unexplained symptoms or problems. Types of therapies, organisations and centres There are too many types of alternative therapies to explain or list on this website, but one guide that we looked at says that they might be divided into the seven categories below - click on a category for more details about the therapies and details of some relevant organisations and centres. We also have a list of local practitioners. Alternative Systems of Medicine: e.g. homeopathy, traditional chinese medicine (includes acupuncture), ayurveda (a traditional Indian system) Exercise / Movement Therapies: e.g. yoga, dance, t'ai chi. Nature Cures: e.g. diet and nutrition, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, flower remedies Psychological and Relaxation Therapies: e.g. hypnotherapy, meditation, autogenic training Sensory / Creative Therapies: e.g. colour therapy, arts and creative therapies Spiritual or Energy Healing / Diagnosis: e.g. spiritual healing, energy healing, reiki Touch / Manipulative Therapies: e.g. massage, reflexology, cranio-sacral therapy, shiatsu, osteopathy (Adapted from ‘A Brief Guide to Treatments’, OpenMind magazine 1993, Mind Publications) Other organisations British Holistic Medical Association British Naturopathic Association Institute for Complementary Medicine Research Council for Complementary Medicine

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	Renuka Bhakta Coordinator - renbhakta@hotmail.com c/o Lambeth Mind - 020 7735 3505 \| info@slmind.freeserve.co.uk \| www.lambethmind.org.uk www.mhalternatives.org.uk last updated on 13/11/2005 \| Designed by Francesco Tirimo

Therapies, Practitioners and Other Resources

Choosing a therapy and practitioner

Local practitioners

What to expect

Types of therapies, organisations and centres

Other organisations