Alternative and Complementary Therapies

Part of what makes Silver Hill among the best and most comprehensive private psychiatric hospitals is that we offer you an array of alternative and complementary therapies as part of your overall treatment plan. They are proven to help alleviate symptoms and reinforce newly-learned skills.

Acupuncture – A process of applying ultra thin, disposable, sterile needles to specific points on your body with the goal of stimulating the nervous system and improving your body’s natural healing abilities.

Acupressure – Similar to Acupuncture but without needles, practitioners use their hands to apply gentle pressure to strategic points on your body. Acupressure is an ancient art of self healing and is used to release tensions.

Craniosacral Massage – A gentle hands on approach working your spine and head to ease the restrictions of nerve passages and reduce pain. It helps to reduce your stress and anxiety.

Hospital Chaplain – Serves your spiritual needs and those of the entire Silver Hill patient community in a non-denominational way, respecting all spiritual beliefs and observing sacred holy days and practices.

Massage – Soothes your muscles and improve flexibility and circulation. At Silver Hill we use it for stress reduction and to help with withdrawal symptoms. Massage is a natural healer of the body.

Mat Pilates – Helps you achieve a greater sense of physical and mental well-being through a series of progressive Pilates mat exercises designed to increase strength, flexibility and an overall sense of fitness. Classes promote awareness of proper body alignment while focusing on the coordination of your breath and movement. Accommodates all levels of abilities.

Mindfulness Meditation – Helps you stay focused on the present moment, with the goal of becoming more aware of your thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and surroundings. You will find it useful to reduce anxiety and stress, alleviate symptoms of depression, improve sleep patterns and support cognitive function.

Tai Chi – A gentle, low- impact exercise. Unlike yoga, tai chi stretches your body using continuous slow motions instead of holding poses. There are also no extreme stretches and there is less stress on your back and joints. Like yoga, tai chi improves your physical health and can help to modify your stress response. Studies have shown that people experience mood improvement and stress reduction when incorporating the practice into their mental health treatment plan.

Yoga – A philosophy and exercise system that combines movements and simple poses with deep breathing and meditation to promote healing, relaxation and to reduce your fatigue. Studies show the body’s stress response is altered during yoga; the heart rate slows and blood pressure drops. This physiological change improves your mood and anxiety levels. Some studies have shown yoga is also beneficial for people with PTSD, pain and insomnia.

Art Therapy – A form of psychotherapy that encourages you to explore feelings, perceptions and imagination through visual art. The focus is not on the pictures or objects being created, but on the feelings and emotions that are revealed through the creative process. Often people find a voice through art that they didn’t know they had.

Drumming – Uses West African drums to teach you the skills of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) in all Transitional Living Programs at Silver Hill.

Writing – Explores your creative side through writing and journaling. A study presented in the Journal of Advances in Psychiatric Treatment found that expressive writing helps improve moods, reduce depressive symptoms, relieve stress, and improve overall mental well-being. Writing is also known to improve physical health.

Journaling – reduces stress and helps you clarify your thoughts and feelings. This can help reduce your anxiety, improve your mood, and help you identify thought patterns and recurring feelings that are standing in the way of healing and happiness.