Mental health is a critical element of your overall wellbeing, but there are some important distinctions to consider when choosing a therapist. Being aware of some of the elemental differences can help you find the therapist who’s right for you.
In traditional medicine, healthcare providers try to determine the cause of certain symptoms and attempt to treat the cause. Depending on your condition, that’s often where treatment stops. Mental health diagnoses are a bit different. Some mental health conditions can’t simply be identified by conclusive testing. Descriptions and symptoms of mental health disorders can also change over time and involve a person’s perception of how they appear or experience events.
Therapists and counselors take different approaches when it comes to helping you assuage your symptoms. If you’re the kind of person who responds to a definitive medical diagnosis, like depression or anxiety, a therapist who takes this approach would most likely work well for you. If you’re seeking help for self-diagnosed behavioral issues you aren’t really interested in labeling, you might be more inclined to respond to treatment with a therapist who considers these types of self-diagnoses when developing a treatment approach. In addition to therapy, meditation, mindfulness, and self-compassion may work for one person, while medication is better for another.
Just as it is best to see a doctor who is well-suited for your needs and personality, this is even more critical when you see a counselor for therapy. Trust is one of the most important elements of the client-therapist relationship. If you find you’re not “clicking” with your therapist after a few sessions, don’t hesitate to speak up and look for someone else. Remember that your therapist’s primary goal is to help you enhance your mental health. If that means you should see someone else, they shouldn’t have a problem with it.
If you cut yourself and need stitches, your culture, background and environment aren’t all that important when seeking medical treatment. In mental health, culture and social circumstances have a much more significant impact. For example, if you’re part of a marginalized group, such as the LGBTQ community, you’ll want to find a therapist who is knowledgeable about the specific challenges and cultural pressures you may face.
Taking care of your mental and emotional wellbeing can also improve your physical health. Therapy is a valuable tool to help you find more self-awareness, healing and joy. To learn more, contact a therapist at Kayenta to schedule an appointment.
