Therapy
Snoezelen
This method is used in a particularly pleasant and adjusted environment, using light and sound, aroma and music, with the aim to stimulate the senses.
It is designed for persons with mental, physical or multiple disabilities, autistic spectrum disorder, behaviour and learning disorders, mental disorders, brain trauma, for people suffering from dementia and chronically ill patients, but also as a pleasant relaxation.
Snoezelen is suitable for social service facilities, rehab centres, day-care centres and hospices. It may be used by psychologists, psychotherapists, health care and rehab staff and physiotherapists.
Treatment with music (music therapy)
Music is a therapeutic tool, whether listened to, played or sung. According to a music therapy and neurophysiotherapy expert, MARKO LOS from the Italian foundation Santa Lucia, therapy with music and art is also important in case of dementia or in old people.
According to his research, the parts of the brain associated with music and memory are damaged less compared to other zones associated with memory. Therefore, clients with severe brain damage may enjoy melodies. With music therapy, a memory of a patient with dementia who has lost the majority of their memories is strengthened by using alternative brain pathways instead of conventional ones; these are the pathways that lead to the areas of the brain associated with musical memory. Thus, when a client listens to their favourite songs, the terms and words that they know very well come back to them. That’s why they are easier to repeat and remember. On the other hand, clients who do not suffer from this disease may play a musical instrument which reduces the risk of these diseases.
However, music is medicine and a mood stabiliser, or even a balm for the soul.
For example, in clients with stroke, listening to music is very useful in terms of observing their reaction. When a client is listening to their favourite music and open their hand, they can hear a melody; when the music is getting stronger, it can be seen how their fingers are moving.
Music therapy is not only about listening to music. It also helps heal physical conditions. It heals the soul and the body.
Book therapy (bibliotherapy)
The definition of the term bibliotherapy comes from the Greek words biblion, i.e., a book, and therapeia, i.e., treatment, service, care.
It is a therapy using books and reading. It is used for the treatment of mental diseases by appropriately choosing and reading books. At the same time, it is connected to the production of shorter literature genres, such as stories, poems or novellas. Bibliotherapy is a substitution for psychotherapy that uses the effects of reading on the treatment and support of human mental health.
Healing with herbs/plants (phytotherapy)
Nature has everything to make people live a healthy and happy life. We only need to know the right way of using its gifts: healing herbs.
A phytotherapist is a nutritionist who prepares an individual treatment plan using healing herbs.
Healing with art (art therapy)
Art therapy means healing with visual arts. An important aspect is the support of creative skills and mutual respect. Art therapy focuses on the healing potential of the creative activity in the first place.
Art therapy may have both a relaxing and educational function, developing the artistic technique and skills of the client. It also has a therapeutic function, assessing feelings instead of the work, with the creative process meant to lead to relaxation, activation to do something and relax.
Healing with memories (reminiscence therapy)
Reminiscence therapy is an activation treatment that uses a client’s preserved long-term memory and ensures activation through the memories that the client is able to recall. The goal is to improve the client’s mental condition, interaction with the client and eliminate or reduce their difficulties.
This therapy is also called healing with memories. It involves recalling events from the person’s life through various stimuli, such as old photographs, items, music or anything connected to the client’s active life. It is a revival of past experience, especially those that are positive and very important for the client.
They include, in particular, family events and the good times they like to remember.
Occupational therapy (ergotherapy)
The principles of ergotherapy are based on motor learning that involves constant interactions between a person, their targeted activity and the environment. It is always a priority to ensure self-sufficiency in the activities of daily living that are a precondition for independent, self-sufficient life and thus one of the most important requirements for the good quality of a person’s life.
In their work, ergotherapists not only deal with the physical aspects of the client, but also with their mental health, taking into account their personality, age, education, family and social background.
Pet therapy (animal therapy)
Animals can make our lives pleasant by their presence. They also have the ability to heal, since they act as a certain form of therapy. Animal therapy is beneficial for the emotional and physical health of people. It also helps people with traumatic experiences and those suffering from depression and stress.
It is an alternative, but a very effective supportive treatment, in case of numerous physical and mental diagnoses.
Each therapy has different effects and procedures, with individual lengths of treatment. However, it is certain that emotional relationships to animals help release the hormone interferon that strengthens the immune system, and endorphins, the hormones of happiness.
The healing effects of animals are associated with the empathy and love they are able to show. This therapy helps improve memory, concentration, has a positive effect on human psychology and improves their mental health. It is suitable for all age groups.