Think of how many types of therapy you can name. If you are not well-versed in different therapy modalities, you may not be able to come up with any! This is totally normal and to be expected. As an outsider to the field of trained professional mental health practitioners, there are various forms of therapy you may not be aware of.
One of these types of therapy is accelerated experiential dynamic psychotherapy (AEDP). This format includes many techniques, formats, and benefits for each participant. If this is something you are interested in learning more about, then you have come to the right place. Keep reading to learn more.
So, what really is AEDP?
AEDP is another form of talk therapy. This specific format looks to specifically focus on the relationship between the client and the therapist. This is done through techniques that prioritize healing and transformation.
There are four pillars to practicing AEDP. These include:
Belief in the client’s ability to heal: While every therapist must believe in their client to some degree, this is doubly true in AEDP. Everyone has the inner power to overcome and to heal. This is at the forefront of AEDP.
Quickly working through defense mechanisms: Exploring a deep therapist-client relationship can be incredibly vulnerable and even frightening. However, working through defenses quickly is critical to the effectiveness of this type of therapy. There is almost no room for embarrassment or hesitation.
Understanding the power of being seen: Being known and understood is a huge asset that many people overlook. Truly being seen creates the ability to change. Your therapist will be with you throughout this entire process.
Ability to trust and emote: Trusting your therapist is absolutely critical throughout the AEDP process. Expressing your emotions truly and deeply is the way you can show your therapist who you truly are.
Techniques and applications
Your therapist will be deeply involved throughout the entire AEDP process. Having a strong initial relationship with said therapist is very important to create a basis of trust. This is one of the first techniques a trained AEDP therapist will implement throughout the process. Additionally, your therapist should impress upon you just how important it is to be completely honest and how you are not alone.
After that, your therapist will walk alongside you throughout the process of exploring your deep emotions. They will keep a strong record of not only your spoken words but unspoken ones as well. Body language, tone of voice, and even eye movements can be a huge indication of how you are feeling and how your therapist can help you.
What to expect in a session
At your first AEDP session, your therapist will work hard to create a strong foundation of trust. They will ask questions about your past and listen to your thoughts and emotions without judgment. In later sessions, your therapist may begin to explain some of your emotions and where they stem from. Their main goal in any session is to ensure that you do not feel alone.
Who can benefit from AEDP?
While almost anyone can benefit from therapy, AEDP does have a target audience. Specifically, those who have suffered some sort of trauma can really gain from practicing AEDP. Individuals with anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions such as obsessive compulsive disorder can also learn much from AEDP. Finally, anyone who wishes to gain a deeper understanding of their thoughts, emotions, and feelings will benefit from this form of therapy.
Regardless of whether or not you were familiar with AEDP before reading this article, I hope you have gained additional knowledge on the subject. If you are interested in exploring AEDP therapy for yourself, I offer it as a practice methodology. Reach out to me today to learn more on the topic and see just how much you can benefit.
For more information on trauma therapy, check out the link!