There are a variety of therapies available which can be used to support a person’s mental health and wellbeing. Here we take a look at few. We exploring what they are, how they can be accessed, who might access them, and how they can help.
Speech and Language Therapy
Speech and Language Therapy is aimed at developing communication skills and motor skills. This includes a person’s ability to speak and communicate as well as their ability to eat, drink and swallow.
The therapy is used for a variety of reasons including:
- Selective mutism
- Autism spectrum condition
- Hearing impairment
- Stammering
- Changes in voice quality
- Feeding/swallowing difficulties
Often the strategies used within speech and language therapy are built in to the person’s daily life and usual activities. For example, using pictures, gestures or pointing to communicate.
There are a number of strategies that are used to help develop a person’s communication. These are known as Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). This can be a wide range of techniques. For example, using pictures, signs and symbols to technological aids which work based on eye movements.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy, or physical therapy, is designed to assist people to have as much mobility as possible. It can also be to help prevent further injuries if affected by injury, illness or disability.
This therapy can include giving general education and advice, giving specific movement, exercise and physical activity advice and manual therapy.
General education and advice often includes discussion around your overall build, maintaining a healthy weight and regular exercise. It may also include offering advice in relation to everyday activities to reduce any potential risks. For example keeping good posture and correct lifting and carrying techniques.
Physiotherapy can include the following:
- specific movement.
- exercise and physical activity advice includes:
- exercises to improve mobility and strength in a specific area of the body,
- whole body exercises,
- hydrotherapy (exercises in water) and
- assessing for and providing mobility aids.
Manual therapy includes the physiotherapist moving, manipulating and massaging certain areas of the body. This is to improve circulation, mobility and reduce pain and stiffness and for relaxation.
Nutrition and Dietetics
Dietetics is a form of therapy designed to improve a person’s nutritional intake. It is based on making a personal dietary plan. One that takes into account any conditions and dietary requirements a person may have. It may also include understanding and working on the relationship a person has with food.
This therapy can include providing education and general advice about a person’s diet. It uses strategies to help improve nutrition including behavioural change, motivational interviewing and mindfulness.
When receiving education and guidance make sure that the person is a suitably qualified dietitian. This is rather than a nutritionist or nutritional therapist or diet expert. This is because, by law, only qualified dietitians can offer this therapy for people with medical conditions or dietary requirements.
Personal Experience
If you’d like to share your personal experience, please email [email protected] for more information.