Is Your Mental Health on the Back Burner?

When I tell others that I’m a psychologist, they usually respond with something like, “Oh no, you just analyzed me” as though I have some super powers to read minds and peer into souls at first glance. They also seem to envision me working with individuals in straight jackets with one eye in the middle of their foreheads, who drag one leg and foot behind them. In short, psychology is for the “crazy” or the weird. Oh contraire! While individuals may not brag about close encounters with therapy, those determined to get “unstuck” and overcome cycles of dysfunction are growing in therapy if they’ve done their homework in selecting a compatible therapist and if they’ve invested themselves in the process. Consider the following in determining your possible need for therapy and how to make a good choice in a therapist:

1. Turning to friends and family for counsel is not always wise because they may let you off the hook for what a more objective professional recognizes as glaring deficits that short-circuit your life unnecessarily. Additionally, those closest to you may be well meaning in their intentions to help but come across as too worried, judgmental, intrusive, or gossipy and therefore counterproductive in meeting your needs.

2. It’s a myth that psychology is just for “crazy” people. Mental health professionals are expert listeners who help organize your thoughts while guiding you to consider unexplored solutions and resources. Everyone can benefit from the gift of being heard.

3. Sometimes medication is part of the treatment, but most times it is not. And by the way, a psychiatrist (an M.D.) prescribes medication. A psychologist (a doctoral-level clinician) conducts therapy and may refer a client for medication. Other professionals who conduct therapy include licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, and licensed marriage and family counselors. It’s a good idea to seek a professional licensed by a state governing board in order to have some assurance of a therapist with updated training, offering a therapeutic relationship with appropriate boundaries.

4. When you’ve failed to overcome impaired functioning in relationships, family, and the workplace due to distracting thoughts, mood instability, procrastination, debilitating anxiety, persistent feelings of inadequacy, low or excessive energy, impulsivity, a destructive temper, emotional eating, social isolation, or poor judgment in decision-making and problem-solving--it’s time to find answers with the help of a professional. When searching, insist on talking to the actual clinician in order to sample the type of rapport you’re likely to build with that individual. Call a few and make your best choice accordingly. One resource to consider is www.psychologytoday.com.

5. Most importantly, stop talking and ACT. Your life is waiting.