Innovative Treatments in Mental Health Care – What You Should Know
Are psychotherapy and medication the only treatments available for mental health treatment? The answer may surprise you.
Traditional treatments such as psychotherapy and medication have provided genuine benefits and improvements for many individuals dealing with mild, moderate, and severe mental health conditions.
But, with the increasing interest in holistic solutions and natural wellness approaches, more and more people are opting to look for innovative alternatives that are non-invasive and free from potential side effects.
The good news is, research is ongoing, and while many of these treatments are in their nascent stage or need further research and development, they have shown promise, opening the door to hope and possibilities.
If you’re exploring new mental health treatment options, we can help. On this page, we will cover:
- What innovative treatments mean in the context of mental healthcare
- Currently available innovative treatments for mental healthcare
- Benefits and drawbacks of each
- How to get access to these innovative treatments today at Mission Connection
What Are Innovative Treatments in Mental Healthcare?
Innovative treatments are emerging and cutting-edge treatments that could potentially change the way we approach mental health care. These treatments can focus on the use of technology, personalized interventions, diagnostic accuracy, and predictive capabilities to improve mental health outcomes. They are also less likely to be invasive and cause severe side effects.
The New Treatments for Mental Illness
Mental health treatments continue to evolve with time. While psychotherapy and medication (where warranted), continue to be the standards in mental health care, newer treatments that are being developed side-by-side show a lot of promise, with some already being backed up by evidence.
1. Neurofeedback Therapy for Mental Health
Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback therapy, but specifically geared toward brain activity.¹ In neurofeedback therapy, electrode sensors are placed on the client’s brain to measure brain waves in real-time, and this activity is recorded via computer software and relayed back to the client through feedback. The feedback can be audio, visual, or a combination of both. The sessions are set up based on the desired goals for the client.
Let’s say a client wants to deal with their symptoms of anxiety. In session, they will be asked to watch a movie, play a game, or listen to music. Every time the brain activity shows the desired behaviors to meet the goal, such as calm and relaxation, the software rewards the client through positive feedback. For a video game, this can take the form of bonus points.
Over the course of a session, the brain gets retrained to regulate its activity by doing more of the desirable behaviors that lead to rewards.
Applications of Neurofeedback Therapy
While research is ongoing, neurofeedback therapy has shown benefits for treating ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), Schizophrenia, Insomnia, Learning Disabilities, Substance Abuse Disorders, Depression, Anxiety, Epilepsy, and ASD or Autism Spectrum Disorder.1
Benefits of Neurofeedback Therapy
Neurofeedback is a drug-free and non-invasive form of therapy. Its usage has also resulted in long-term improvements in specific conditions. Neurofeedback therapy is also customized to each individual’s needs.
Drawbacks of Neurofeedback Therapy
Neurofeedback in its current state does have some cons:
- It can be time-consuming: The number of sessions can vary from person to person, but in general neurofeedback training can take anywhere from 20 to 40 sessions.
- Expensive: Neurofeedback sessions may not always be covered by insurance, in which case you’re looking at hefty out-of-pocket expenses.
- Limited access: Neurofeedback therapy may not be easily available in all locations.
- Results can vary: The therapy doesn’t always deliver long-term results.
2. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
In a TMS session, a magnetic coil that is switched “ON” and has a magnetic field around it, is placed close to the scalp. Inside the brain, nerve cells and neurons use small amounts of electricity to send and receive messages. When magnetism comes in contact with electrical activity, the process can influence changes in brain activity.
TMS is seen to be effective for treatment-resistant depression because it stimulates parts of the brain that show decreased activity with depression.4
Applications of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Benefits of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
FDA approval: TMS has received FDA approval for all the conditions listed previously. Researchers are looking into developing TMS for other types of mental health conditions.- Efficacy in treatment-resistant depression: TMS has shown benefits for clients who have not responded to traditional treatments such as medication or talk therapy.
- Side-effects that are minor and temporary in nature: Side effects are minor and usually resolve quickly. Some clients may experience pain at the site, twitches, lightheadedness, ringing in the ears, headaches, or toothaches. More rarely, they may experience seizures.6 Wearing earplugs is usually beneficial to prevent another potential side effect – hearing loss.
Not all clients make good candidates for TMS, and it’s important to discuss your medical history in depth with your healthcare professional if you’re considering this treatment. People who have metal implants or a history of epilepsy, or are pregnant should consider alternative treatment options.
Drawbacks of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
TMS does have its share of drawbacks.
Frequency: You may need frequent sessions when you’re just starting the treatment. Expect sessions that last 5 days a week for several weeks. Although changes start to occur from the first session, it may sometimes take up to 6 weeks of treatments before the client can experience relief.7
The result may be temporary: While one-third of clients with depression on TMS can experience full remission, others may find that the mood disorder may reoccur, in which case they need to go through another round of TMS treatments.
- Expense: Given the high frequency of sessions required, check insurance coverage and financial capability before opting for TMS.
3. Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
Psychedelics are substances that can temporarily cause changes in a person’s moods, thoughts, sense of self, and the way they perceive reality.8 Psychedelics that have garnered a lot of interest for research in recent years are MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine or “Molly” or “Ecstasy,”), Psilocybin, and LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide or “acid”).
Applications of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
Benefits of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
- Long-term recovery with fewer sessions: One study has shown how a single dose of psilocybin resulted in sustained remission of depression at 18 months.11
- Emerging interest in considering psychedelics for mental health treatment: Australia has already approved MDMA and Psilocybin for the treatment of PTSD and treatment-resistant depression.
Drawbacks of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
The drawbacks of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, include:
- Regulatory hurdles: The treatment is currently not approved by the FDA in the US, pending more research.
- Individualized treatment: Given that treatment has to be tailored to each individual, it’s hard to create a definitive set of guidelines for treatment. This can pose a number of challenges for medical professionals, including greater time demands, specialized training, and questions about how novel treatments can be incorporated into existing protocols.
- Potential for adverse side effects: Psychedelics can have adverse side effects on some individuals, although for therapeutic purposes, the doses are managed under controlled settings by trained medical professionals.
4. Telehealth Therapy
Telehealth therapy is also known as online or virtual therapy. In a telehealth therapy session, you simply connect to your mental health expert through a laptop or phone, send text messages, call them, or engage in an audio/video session with them.
No major differences exist between the experience of a therapy whether it’s in-person or online, but it may not be suitable for all types of mental health conditions, such as when it’s a serious mental health illness, or if the client needs intensive 24-hour monitoring in a hospital setting.
Applications of Telehealth Therapy
Telehealth therapy is most beneficial for people who don’t have the time or flexibility to travel for in-person sessions, especially those who have hectic schedules or reside in remote locations. The sessions can be used for initial consultations/assessments as well as ongoing counseling/talk therapy and other therapeutic interventions.
Benefits of Telehealth Therapy
Virtual therapy has a lot of benefits to offer for individuals looking for flexible, outpatient sessions to cope with their mental health challenges.
- Cost-effective: Telehealth therapy can often be more cost-effective for the client given it’s carried out online and the client doesn’t need to travel.
- Flexibility: With the number of mental health treatment facilities and practitioners that are going online, it’s entirely possible to find therapists who can carry out sessions without your preferred time slots.
- Comparative efficacy: Online sessions are seen to be just as effective as in-person sessions, especially for conditions like depression, anxiety, phobias, and OCD.
- Reduces stigma: It’s easy to access teletherapy from the comfort and privacy of your home.
Drawbacks of Telehealth Therapy
Telehealth therapy has a few drawbacks that clients need to be aware of.
- Not suitable for all: Telehealth therapy is not suitable for people with a severe mental health disorder or if your condition requires intensive round-the-clock care in a hospital setting.
- Licensure requirements: Ensure that your therapist and facility are both licensed to operate in your state before starting therapy.
- Technological barriers: If you’re experiencing technological barriers, refer to our in-depth resource, where we cover the many ways you can overcome these to access virtual therapy. Some individuals may not be comfortable with technology and may feel more comfortable meeting their therapist face-to-face.
5. Treatments Using Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) for mental health care is a very new and emerging field but it’s one that could pave the way for early and accurate diagnosis and intervention, personalized treatment, and providing immediate support.
Benefits of Treatments Using Artificial Intelligence
Early detection: AI could potentially be able to review past medical history and other data points to identify clients who may be at risk for mental health disorders.- Clinical support: In the future your therapist, while doing one-on-one sessions, may also be able to offer AI tools that support homework in the form of skill-building, as one example, so there’s continuity and improvement while you’re on your own.
- Monitoring: AI could potentially be used to monitor patients in real-time, adherence, and potentially recommend suggestions for improving treatment methods.
Drawbacks of Treatments Using Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence is seen as a tool that works best in support of human interventions. Regardless of how evolved AI is, it is seen as unable to replace the warmth and rapport of a human therapist.
- Privacy concerns: Clients as well as healthcare providers can have concerns about the privacy of client information and this requires specific regulations to be put in place.
- A futuristic treatment: While research and development is ongoing, it may be some time before we can start to see the commercial application of AI ts for mental health care.
Get Access to Our Innovative Treatments
At Mission Connection, we believe that everyone deserves access to compassionate, cutting-edge mental health care. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or another mental health challenge, we’re here to walk with you every step of the way, on your journey toward healing and long-term recovery.
Our highly-trained mental health experts use a combination of evidence-based treatments, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and EMDR to name just a few, together with cutting-edge innovations like telehealth therapy, neurofeedback therapy, and TMS to create the most effective protocols for sustainable recovery and wellness.
What sets Mission Connection apart from other treatment providers is our wholehearted commitment to you. Our team is dedicated to helping you experience compassionate and expert care in a non-judgemental environment, so you can regain hope, build resilience, and learn the tools to thrive.
Ready to take the next step in your mental health journey? Connect with us today.
Get started by filling out a free pre-assessment form to book your personalized consultation or call us directly at 866-660-4843.
References
- Marzbani, H., Marateb, H. R., & Mansourian, M. (2016). Neurofeedback: A comprehensive review on system design, methodology and clinical applications. Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 7(2), 143–158. https://doi.org/10.15412/J.BCN.03070208
- International Society for Neuroregulation & Research. (n.d.). What is neurofeedback: Guidelines for practice. https://isnr.org/what-is-neurofeedback
- Klomjai, W., Katz, R., & Lackmy-Vallée, A. (n.d.). Basic principles of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and repetitive TMS (rTMS). ScienceDirect. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877065715000792
- Mayo Clinic. (2023, April 7). Transcranial magnetic stimulation. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation/about/pac-20384625
- Cohen, S. L., Bikson, M., Badran, B. W., & George, M. S. (2022). A visual and narrative timeline of US FDA milestones for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) devices. Brain Stimulation, 15(1), 73–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2021.11.010
- Mann, S. K., & Malhi, N. K. (2025, January). Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK568715/
- Harvard Health Publishing. (2020, October 27). Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): Hope for stubborn depression. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-for-depression-2018022313335
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2024, April 9). Psychedelic and dissociative drugs. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/psychedelic-dissociative-drugs#what-are
- Reiff, C. M., Richman, E. E., Nemeroff, C. B., Carpenter, L. L., Widge, A. S., Rodriguez, C. I., Kalin, N. H., & McDonald, W. M. (2020). Psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. American Journal of Psychiatry, 177(5), 391–410. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19010035
- American Psychological Association. (n.d.). The emergence of psychedelics as medicine. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2024/06/psychedelics-as-medicine
- The Lancet Regional Health – Europe. (2023). Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is an emerging treatment. The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, 27, 100620. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100620
- Health Resources & Services Administration. (2024, February 29). Why use telehealth? https://telehealth.hhs.gov/patients/why-use-telehealth
- American Psychological Association. (2024, November 21). Artificial intelligence in mental health care. https://www.apa.org/practice/artificial-intelligence-mental-health-care
