Going Crazy trying to understand your mental health options?
Therapists. Counselors. Psychiatrists. Psychologists. Who are all these people? What do all the titles mean? And who does what? How can we understand all these mental health options with so many choices, and so many titles? J.K. Rowling said it best “Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery", with that being said we all need to have a working understanding of mental health professionals, before we choose a mental health professional. But what if our lack of knowledge prevents taking these first steps towards wellness. I have been a psychotherapist for years and I recently over heard my mother telling a close relative, “You should talk to Nad (my mother calls me that) about that problem, you know she is psychologist”. My mother loves me dearly but even my mother affection’s for me don’t yield to understanding my profession, I am psychotherapist, lol. But the truth is, I cant blame her. This can be confusing and anyone could have this moment when defining mental health terms becomes a mix bag of linguistics. Where do you start? How can we learn the correct titles and roles to know which mental health professionals to choose? I suggest asking a mental health professionals. Here are few questions to start the conversation.
1. What type of education, training, and credentials has this mental health professional acquired? What does this mean for you, is he/she qualified to address your issues?
2. Will you have a significant role and voice in shaping the treatment process?
3. As a client, is there a safe method for providing assessment and feedback on sessions?
4. Has this mental health professional considered and implement my cultural identity into this treatment process?
5. Will the sessions be flexible to my work schedule?
6. What are the cost associated with addressing my near-term and long-term therapy goals?
Still have questions or need more support? Listen to a recording of our webinar, “Understanding your mental health and wellness options”. No More Martyrs at www.Valenrich.com/No_More_Martyrs creator Dr. Nadia Richardson hosted this conversation along with myself, Lanada Williams, a Life Coach, Professional Social Worker, and Psychologist.
But if you want to hear more of these conversations, join me every Tuesday at 6:00pm ET on www.blis.fm/Thelanadawilliamsshow/ on “The Lanada Williams Shows” to build literacy on redefining mental health stigma. Please check out the page Facebook.com/The.Lanada.Williams.Show and www.Facebook.com/Join.No.More.Martyrs and share us with your family, friends and community.Chat with you soon!
By Lanada Williams, MA, NCC, LPC, LCPC
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