Welcome back to the last post of a three-part series – Managing Mental Health & Where to Get Help

In the first part of this series, I spoke about RECOGNITION

In the second part, I spoke about EDUCATING

In the final part of this series, I’m going to speak about – DECISIONS:

• Deciding which options to consider whilst looking for mental health support
• Interviewing a Therapist – a special Interview with a Mental Health Therapist, answering some of the questions that you as an audience may want to ask if considering therapy/ counseling for your Mental Health

 

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DECISIONS

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Deciding which options to consider if you are looking for mental health support

For everyone, mental health is a completely different experience. Although two people might share the same diagnosis, each person is an individual and requires a support plan that would best fit their separate needs. What might work for one client, could be completely detrimental for another even though they could well present the same symptoms.  It’s important to discuss with a healthcare professional what the best options are for you to consider, research and educate yourself about the pros and cons of each treatment and how you would go about these services and starting effective treatment.

There are different types of treatments that you could consider for your mental health support:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Exposure Therapy
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Medication – Medication does not cure mental illness. However, it may help with the management of symptoms. Medication paired with psychotherapy is the most effective way to promote recovery.
• Peer Support Groups

 

 

Interviewing a Therapist

 

Have you ever considered mental health therapy but felt a little daunted by the idea?

Do you ever feel like speaking to a counselor is an impossible thing for you to do, and don’t see how they could be at all approachable?

This month I teamed up with a mental health therapist to ask a few questions that I feel would be beneficial for anybody considering the option of therapy but not quite sure about how to approach this avenue…..

 

Laura: Hi, Johnzelle. Thank you for joining me on my blog today to complete this last section of Managing Mental Health & Where to Get Help. Could you introduce yourself to the readers, tell us a little bit about yourself and what your aim is.

Johnzelle:

Hi everyone! I’m Johnzelle and I work as a therapist and mental health clinician. Laura and I wanted to collaborate on this post to continue to educate about mental health services. Our goal is to normalize therapy and other aspects of mental illness.

Laura: What motivated you to become a Mental Health Therapist?

Johnzelle:

I was originally going to be an elementary school teacher but then learned that I don’t like children, haha! Once I graduated with my Degree in Psychology I chose to go to Graduate School to get a Masters in Professional Counseling. I became interested in mental health in my junior year of Undergrad because I began to suffer from panic disorder and depression.

After spending about a year working on my own mental health, I realized that I could use my experiences to relate to others and to help them manage their mental health struggles. I’ve been in the mental health field for a few years now and have worked in many roles. I am about to earn my state license in professional counseling and will be opening my solo practice for therapy this coming spring! 

Laura: It’s reassuring to hear how you relate to clients through having your own mental health challenges and using your knowledge to pass on to others. So, how can someone go about looking for a therapist that’s suitable for them?

Johnzelle:

Finding a therapist can be a lot like shopping for a car. Different therapists practice from different theories and use different types of interventions.  

If you go and you don’t click with your therapist, don’t give up! Try another one. 

I recommend checking with your insurance for therapists that are covered by your plan and that are accepting new clients. Psychologytoday.com is a great resource for finding a therapist or a psychiatrist based in your location.  

Laura: What might some of the challenges be that someone experience with therapy?

Johnzelle:

Where do I start? Therapy is hard work. You’re working on yourself, gaining awareness, and changing your thought patterns and behaviors. With change comes discomfort. When I first went to therapy, I cried in every session.

Other challenges include the cost, stigma, finding a therapist that’s a good fit, committing to treatment, and being patient with the change process. 

Laura: Those are important things to note down, thank you. So, once someone has made the decision that counselling/therapy is a good option for them, how should they go about preparing themselves for therapy?

Johnzelle:

I actually did a vlog on this – SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel to get more mental health tips and advice

 

Laura: What practical benefits can you mention for people considering therapy

Johnzelle:

Therapy is an investment in your QUALITY OF LIFE. If you commit to therapy, you will see an improvement in your mood, a reduction in symptoms, increased awareness, clarity, and the list goes on.

Laura: Would you like to say anything else to the readers?

Johnzelle:

Hmm, 🤔 Your mental health impacts all aspects of your life. It impacts your physical well-being and your relationships. Take care of yourself and remember that self-care is essential, not a luxury.

Thanks, Laura for having me on your blog! You can all find and connect with me at perectlyimperfect92.wordpress.com and on Twitter @perfimperfect92

Thank you all for reading and take care 👋🏽

Laura: Thank you, Johnzelle for taking the time to do this Interview and linking up for this months Mental Health Awareness series. Always a pleasure and much appreciated!

 

Conclusion

It takes time to become aware of what truly works for you in supporting your mental health, sometimes it’s a combination of treatments that help to manage your health and that’s completely normal. If you’re struggling to comprehend what your needs are then I encourage you to start off writing your concerns and needs down and then speak to a trusted loved one and most definitely speak to a mental health professional

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Mental Health is something that continually changes as you get older. Speaking up about your struggles and even RECOGNISING that you do need help with your mental health is such a massive step. Even if you haven’t reached the stage of verbalising your needs, rest assured you are heading in a great direction and doing so well for acknowledging your struggles.

Taking the time to EDUCATE yourself about Mental Health & different Illnesses is a step towards making a positive difference with your own health and others.

Consider all options that will most benefit you and your Mental Health. DECIDE what’s best for you in your circumstance. Trial & error can help find the best fit. Don’t get discouraged. Remember, health in all aspects and areas of life is a journey, not a destination.

That concludes all posts for this section of, Managing Mental Health & Where to Get Help

 

Part 1: R ecognition ✔

Part 2: E ducating ✔

Part 3: D ecisions – Interviewing a Therapist ✔

 

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Thanks for stopping by.

Laura,

XOXO