Feb 24, 2023
Do you need a therapist for mental health and peace? If you say you do, then be informed that the entire process of finding the right one is more difficult than breaking the Da Vinci codes nowadays. You may also need separate consultations to deal with this complementary trauma. So to help you in your quest, we have compiled this quick guide. It discusses different types of ways you can use to find a therapist for mental health, along with other critical information that will help improve your mental journey.
But, before delving into this directly, we should first find out when you need to see a therapist for mental health. It will help pave the way for our journey as well. So here we go:
When do you need to see a therapist for mental health?
Many people think that one should go to a therapist only when things have worsened. That is not true at all. You should not wait for your mental health to start looking ugly before seeking help. Back in time, though, this perception still looked relevant and okay mainly because things were quite simple. The lifestyle was completely different as compared to what we all are experiencing as we read this guide right now. The technologies were limited and not as advanced as they are now. Working hours used to be health-friendly. Nowadays, we work the graveyard shifts and, as a result, that is exactly where our mental health is eventually going—to the graveyard!
Remember, damage should not be the trigger for seeing a therapist. So when do you exactly need to see a therapist for mental health?
You should see a mental health therapist when any type of issue starts interfering with your daily life. Yes. You heard it right. It is as simple as that. You do not have to qualify for Ashecliffe Hospital at Shutter Island.
In fact, you can go to see a therapist for reasons as simple as a change in sleeping patterns, loss of appetite, and, maybe, a tough job. Just when you are thinking about it is probably the best time you should go for it. You do not have to be diagnosed with any kind of sickness for it. It is a healing procedure that will only improve your life and the way you perceive it.
Did you know that even today more than 54% of adults (around 28 million individuals) do not see a therapist for mental health?
How to find a mental health therapist?
Now that we know the “When” and “Whats” of mental health therapy, it is finally time to cover the main topic: How to find a mental health therapist?
Well, everything for the first time is a complex affair. However, complexities in the case of a medical condition can be more detrimental than you can imagine. So let us not take any chance in this quest and start discussing tips that can help you find a mental health therapist without much of a fuss.
Decide the type of therapist for mental health you actually need
A therapist for mental health is a professional who is qualified and trained to guide you through your stress and heal your emotional issues from the very root. Your therapist should either have a master’s degree or at least, credentials from some reputed institution. Ensure that the therapist you are seeking consultation from is licensed to provide you with the services.
Apart from that you should also know that there are different types of therapists who treat different types of issues an individual experiences. For example, if you are going through depression, then a therapist with expertise in depression will help you. A therapist whose expertise lies in dealing with people who have had job-related stress issues will not be able to work with you. So the type of therapist for mental health you choose is a very critical decision you will make. Here is the list of a couple of types of a therapist you will have to choose from based on their expertise.
Therapist for mental health: “Psychiatrist
“Psychiatrist” is a very common term. We use it interchangeably with a lot of its counterparts but, in reality, it is a different type of expertise.
A psychiatrist is a medical practitioner whose expertise lies in dealing with mental health conditions. They are also called doctors of medicine (M.D.) or doctors of osteopathic medicine (D.O.). These types of medical practitioners specialize in areas such as child and adolescent and addiction.
How can a psychiatrist help you?
- One of the most important responsibilities of a psychiatrist is to identify mental health conditions and treat them in a timely manner.
- They are also responsible for providing psychotherapy that help heal an individual’s mental health conditions.
- If required psychiatrists also prescribe adequate medications as well.
Therapist for mental health: Psychologist
A psychologist is a medical practitioner whose expertise lies in the science of human thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. They generally hold doctor’s degrees, including Ph.D. and Ed.D. amongst others.
How can a psychologist help you?
- Psychologists provide counseling for mental health conditions and associated disorders.
- Licensed psychologists prescribe medications as well.
- They can also work with other practitioners to cure mental health disorders from the root.
Therapist for mental health: Psychiatrist-mental health nurse
A psychiatrist-mental health nurse is a trained professional to help an individual deal with mental health conditions and disorders. They are licensed, registered, and have master’s degrees in mental health nursing.
How can a psychiatrist-mental health nurse help?
- A psychiatrist-mental health nurse can treat a variety of mental health conditions depending on their training, education, and experience.
- Depending on the state laws and their training, they can prescribe medications as well.
Therapist for mental health: Physician Assistant
These types of therapists are certified care providers who often assist physicians with their medical practice.
How can a physician assistant help?
- Physician assistants identify medical health conditions and treat them as well.
- They can provide counseling and other associated education to help cure mental disorders.
- Licensed physician assistants can also prescribe medication to an individual in need depending on their training, certification, and experience.
Therapist for mental health: Professional counselor
Professional counselors have a master’s degree and have other certifications depending on the state laws.
How can a professional counselor help?
- Professional counselors provide in-person and online therapy, counseling and education on mental health conditions.
- They can identify the root cause of the problem.
What options do you have to find a therapist for mental health and peace?
There are many ways you can find a therapist for your mental health and peace. Some of these have been described below:
Consult with your health insurance providers
Looking for an answer to does insurance cover therapy? A lot of health insurance providers have a list of therapists you can seek consultation from for mental health conditions. So it is better that you connect with them for the list. Your health insurance providers can guide you directly to the ones that are covered by your plan.
Check online profiles
Finding an online therapist is becoming easier than ever before. The best way to start your search is by seeking out therapy providers in your area that offer virtual visits or in-person sessions. Once you find a few potential candidates, check to see if they are qualified and licensed, and read patient reviews and other information on their website for more insight into their approach. You want to make sure the therapist understands your needs and provides services that will be helpful and useful for you. With the right guidance and research, you will be able to find a mental health therapist who caters to your precise needs.
Seek any references from your friends and loved ones
Talk to your friends and loved ones. Chances are that they probably know about some therapists who can really help with your condition. Communication is sometimes the best remedy you can ever get. It unlocks several solutions. So just talk to your friends and loved ones.
Check with your organization
Working hours in the workplace and other work-related stuff lead to depression among working professionals. That is why a lot of organizations nowadays provide their staff with counseling for mental health. So instead of going anywhere else, check with your company. You will have the right therapist for your mental health.
Check with associations
There are a number of associations these therapists are accredited with. So to get hold of these therapists, you must reach out to these associations including the American Medical Association, the Association of Psychiatric Association, and the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive therapy.
Did you know that more than 5% of people globally need some sort of therapy to deal with mental health conditions?
Things to do to choose the best therapist for mental health and peace
- Just like the best therapist, you should invest some time in choosing the best therapy type as well. There are a variety of therapy in the world right now but you have to choose the one that aligns with your goals. A lot of other things go into, doing this. So here are the therapy types that you can choose from for your goals:
- Psychoanalytic therapy
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Acceptance and commitment therapy
- The cost of therapy may vary depending on your goals and other factors such as emotional issues and where you are trying to get it. In fact, if you google it you will find that many therapies are for free online. Online therapy is generally very cost-effective while traditional therapy can sometimes be quite the opposite. You need to understand your willingness to pay for the treatment and how much your budget allows you to pay.
- You must zero in on your goals as to what you are actually trying to achieve from your therapy. This will help you reach out to the right therapist as well. For example, if there is work-related stress that is interfering with your daily life, then you should go to a therapist who has a proven track record of dealing with these kinds of situations. Your therapist should know all that you are experiencing. The only way to ensure that is by understanding your own goals first.
Quick facts about therapy for mental health and peace
A lot of myths about mental health treatment, and therapy keep floating around. So to bust them and guide you in the right direction, we have compiled this list of quick facts for you. Let us check this out:
Fact # 1
Your mental health condition is not really a disease. It is just a tough emotional journey affecting your overall capability as a person. It can be caused by a variety of reasons and it is very common among people of various age groups.
Fact # 2
Mental health therapy is cost-effective. They are not always expensive as often perceived by some individuals. In fact, this therapy can easily be customized based on your goals.
Fact # 3
Mental health therapy is not just about giving pieces of advice to individuals. It is a treatment procedure based on science. It does involve guiding people toward places where they should be better at but that is not entirely on giving a piece of advice. It is about discovering the root cause and with the help of science implementing it to your better self.
What are the consequences of not seeing a therapist for mental health on time?
Like any other condition, leaving mental health conditions untreated for a long can have several negative impacts on your life. Let’s take a look at signs of mental health issues in detail below.
Relationship issues
One of the first things that untreated mental health conditions start affecting is a relationship. Too much stress or depression distracts you from your relationship commitments and other responsibilities. Your significant other views this behavior as anything but emotional, making them drift away with time and, eventually, disappear in oblivion.
Lack of concern for personal care and others
Untreated mental health conditions make you indifferent toward many things in life including care for yourself and others. You start losing focus on yourself and do not see your life going into despair. You do not exist for yourself let alone for others. Your relatives loved ones, and friends also start detaching themselves from your life because of your indifference.
Performance issues at work, school, and college
If left untreated for long mental health conditions affect your ability to perform at work, school, and college as well. Mental health conditions are directly correlated to your overall physical performance. That means if it is not in good shape, your ability to perform in academics, sports, and various other zones will be impacted.
Increase in other health conditions
Depression and anxiety have often been discussed as two of the most common reasons behind blood pressure among adults. And not just blood pressure, they are also touted as the key triggers for deadly diseases such as cancer amongst others.
Suicidal tendencies
According to a study by World Health Organization (WHO), more than 700,000 people die due to suicide every year. The most common reason behind these suicides is depression or, you can say, mental health conditions.
Did you know that more than 280 million people in the world are suffering from some sort of mental health condition?
Final thoughts
You may take some time to find your ideal therapist for mental health and peace, but that is absolutely normal. If it is going that way, then just let it be. Do not even try to rush things unnecessarily because that too is a sign of some sort of stress that needs a cure for sure.
Take your time because every moment is worth the effort you are putting in. Remember, in your quest, you may cross your path with therapists who are not just good for you. Those kinds of incidents may ruin your experience but they should not be ruining your determination. It is the best investment for your mental health, the returns are worth all the penny. Talk to experts at Lifebulb, we are committed to helping you live brighter!
