Deciding to seek therapy is a brave step, but with so many different types of therapy available, it can be difficult to know where to start. At Healmatic Group Practice in San Diego, CA, we understand that finding the right therapeutic approach is crucial for your healing journey. Our practice offers a variety of trauma-informed therapies like EMDR, Brainspotting, and Parts Work, but we also want to help you understand how these approaches differ from more cognitive therapies.

In this post, we’ll explore different types of therapy, focusing on how each method approaches healing, particularly for individuals who want to address stress, trauma, and other mental health concerns.

Cognitive Approaches to Therapy: Understanding Top-Down Processing: Cognitive therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), focus primarily on changing how you think to influence how you feel and behave. This type of therapy is considered “top-down”, meaning it starts with higher-level brain processes (like thinking and decision-making) and works its way down to influence emotions and bodily responses.

In CBT, for example, therapists work with clients to identify negative thought patterns (like "I'm not good enough" or "I always fail"), challenge these beliefs, and replace them with more helpful thoughts. This is especially effective for individuals who are used to relying on their intellect and logic to navigate the world. However, while cognitive approaches are powerful for changing thought patterns, they may not address the deeper, emotional or body-based responses triggered by trauma. That’s where bottom-up approaches come in.

Bottom-Up Approaches: Healing from the Ground Up: At Healmatic Group Practice, we specialize in bottom-up therapies, which target the brain’s more primitive systems, such as the limbic system (responsible for emotions) and the brainstem (responsible for bodily responses). These therapies are particularly effective for processing trauma and overwhelming emotions that can’t always be “thought away.” For example, you might find it extremely challenging when your triggers arise, and it can be particularly frustrating when what you know to be true doesn’t seem to FEEL true.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is one of the bottom-up therapies we offer. EMDR helps individuals reprocess traumatic memories by using bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements) to activate both hemispheres of the brain. This helps clients process trauma in a safe, controlled way, moving the disturbing memories from the emotional, “stuck” parts of the brain to more logical, understanding parts.

Similarly, Brainspotting focuses on how eye positions can access and release stored trauma in the brain. By locating where a client looks when thinking about a traumatic memory, therapists can guide clients to “unfreeze” and process those experiences. These methods don't just address thoughts but engage the body's and brain’s natural healing processes.

An Inclusive Approach to Healing: Another approach we offer at Healmatic is Parts Work, which is a blend of top-down and bottom-up processing. Parts Work involves recognizing the different “parts” of your identity that may be in conflict. For example, you may have a part that is highly critical of yourself and another part that feels deeply wounded. This therapy helps integrate these parts into a cohesive sense of self, offering both cognitive insight and emotional healing.

Which Therapy is Best for You? The type of therapy that’s best for you depends on your specific needs, goals, and what feels right for you. For ndividuals in San Diego who may feel overwhelmed, stuck, or stressed, it’s important to choose a therapist who understands the unique pressures you face.

At Healmatic Group Practice, we offer a personalized approach to therapy, blending top-down (cognitive) approaches with bottom-up (body-focused) therapies. This approach is also known as Holistic Therapy honoring all parts of the brain and its connection to the body. Whether you're looking to reframe negative thoughts or dive deeper into processing trauma, our team of skilled therapists are here to help.

Therapy Tailored for You at Healmatic Group Practice in San Diego: At Healmatic Group Practice, we believe that your mental health journey is unique. Located in San Diego, CA, we offer inclusive, trauma-informed therapy designed to address the mind-body connection. We specialize in therapies such as EMDR, Brainspotting, and Parts Work for those seeking a deeper healing experience.

To find the right type of therapy, we recommend scheduling a free 15-minute consultation with Brittani Williams, LCSW, at Healmatic Group Practice in San Diego, CA. This short call allows you to discuss your concerns and goals while Brittani offers guidance on whether therapies like EMDR, Brainspotting, or Parts Work are best for your needs. It's an ideal opportunity to understand how top-down and bottom-up approaches can support your healing journey. Reach out today to get started!