Top Down or Bottom Up? What Types of Therapy Should You Be Seeking Out?

As a trauma therapist in Oakland, CA, I often help clients understand what therapy may do for them and what type of therapy (and therapist) might be best for them depending on who they are and what their goals.

ｔｏｐ ｄｏｗｎ approaches emphasize cognition (thinking), emotion, and thought patterns in influencing behavior. This approach assumes that changes in these higher-level processes will lead to changes in behavior and mood. Top-down approaches include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other talk therapies that focus on changing negative or distorted thought patterns.

ｂｏｔｔｏｍ ｕｐapproaches emphasize the role of physiological (body) and sensory processes in influencing behavior. This approach assumes that changes in the body and sensory experiences will lead to changes in behavior and mood. Bottom-up approaches include somatic approaches, EMDR, psychedelic therapy, and other body-focused therapies that work with the nervous system to address trauma and stress.
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Trauma therapy in Oakland, CA