how to find the right mental treatment for yourself

One place to find mental health for yourself is through your doctor’s office. Your primary care physician may be able to recommend a qualified mental health professional he or she knows and trusts to help you with your specific circumstances. If not, then your doctor can still help put you on the right path.

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How do I find a good mental health therapist?

Mar 17, 2022 · Varying levels of care. Look for a facility with inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospitalization programs. Upon intake, the organization’s mental health professionals should assess your loved one to determine the most appropriate level of care.

What can I do to improve my mental health?

May 21, 2020 · You can find affordable mental health services through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Visit https://www.samhsa.gov/find-treatment; Your local health department’s mental health division or community mental health center provides free or low-cost treatment and services on a sliding scale.

Where can I find information about mental health services in Massachusetts?

But there are some things you can do to make it easier: Find a treatment team you trust. Some doctors are better than others. Some doctors are great, but don’t know much about... Ask for recommendations. If you have friends or family members who have experienced similar mental health challenges,... ...

What can I do if I don’t have a psychiatrist?

Mar 23, 2018 · Understanding the differences between types of providers is the first step to finding the treatment that is best for you. Different types of mental health providers offer different types of treatments, and any treatment needs to be tailored to an individual’s needs.

Can I treat my mental illness by myself?

How do I know what therapy is right for me?

Can I diagnose my own mental illness?

How do you know if you have a mental disorder about yourself?

What are the 3 types of therapy?

What kind of therapy is used to treat depression?

What are the 5 signs of mental illness?

Should I go to a mental hospital test?

How do you stop self-diagnosing mental illness?

What are the 7 signs of a mental disorder?

What are the 7 main mental disorders?

How do you know if you're not mentally ill?

How long does it take for a mental health med to work?

But most mental health meds need to be taken every day. It will often take at least a few weeks to see an improvement. If you skip days or suddenly stop taking a medication, you can experience withdrawals. Ask your doctor about the best way to take your meds—and what to do if you decide to stop taking them.

Can you take meds with food?

That can be good or bad—some medications should be taken with food, while others should be taken on an empty stomach. Medications can also interact with certain foods, the same way meds can interact with each other.

How does DNA affect our brain?

Your genes: The DNA we inherit from our parents determines lots of things about our brains and body . It’s not just the color of your eyes or the shape of your nose—your genes affect things like which meds will work, how quickly they’ll work, and which side effects you’ll be most sensitive to.

Can you drink water while taking meds?

Drinking water: Some medications can cause dehydration. Make sure you drink plenty of water when you use any of these substances. Taking your meds consistently. There are some medications that you can take as-needed—for example, if you’re experiencing a panic attack.

Can medications interact with food?

Medications can also interact with certain foods, the same way meds can interact with each other. Some medications have a special diet you have to follow while you are taking them. [6] Drinking water: Some medications can cause dehydration. Make sure you drink plenty of water when you use any of these substances.

What type of therapy does a psychiatrist use?

Also, psychiatrists are generally the only mental health providers who can perform electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, or other neuromodulatory treatments that use devices to noninvasively stimulate the brain in severe or medication-resistant cases.

What is a psychiatrist?

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have graduated from medical school and completed at least four years of additional specialized training, through residency and often fellowship, in the medical treatment of mental disorders.

How many years of schooling do psychiatrists need?

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have graduated from medical school and completed at least four years of additional specialized training, through residency and often fellowship, in the medical treatment of mental disorders.

How to Find Mental Health Help for Yourself

One place to find mental health for yourself is through your doctor’s office. Your primary care physician may be able to recommend a qualified mental health professional he or she knows and trusts to help you with your specific circumstances.

Mental Health Advice for Parents

As a parent, one of the biggest ways you can help your child face mental health issues is to keep him or her safe. This involves knowing where your child is at all times, who your child is spending his or her time with and what apps and messages are on your child’s phone.

Health Insurance for Mental Health Treatment

Starting in 2014, most health insurance plans both for groups and individuals, including Medicaid Alternative Benefit Plans, are required by law to cover substance use and mental health disorder services.

Narrow Your Search

Before you start looking in earnest, think about what you’re looking for. Addressing a few initial questions might help to narrow the scope of your search.

What Type of Therapy Do You Need?

The provider’s discipline is another important matter to consider early in the decision-making process.

Seek Advice

Consider the advice of others to help guide your search. You might start by asking your PCP—assuming you have a good relationship with your PCP. It’s likely that your physician routinely refers patients to mental health providers, so that’s often a great place to start.

Are You Comfortable With Your Choice?

Once you’ve found a clinician, it’s important to meet with the provider a couple of times to see if there is a connection. And it’s okay to interview two or more prospective practitioners.

Online Tools

There are plenty of online resources available to help you find a mental health provider and low-cost mental health services.

Road to Recovery

After you have addressed the matters above and pick a therapist to go back to, please keep in mind that you’re not obligated to stay with that provider. Although there are merits to being patient, consider a change in course if your condition is not improving.

How to find a mental health professional?

There are a variety of ways to search for mental health professionals. Ask your primary care doctor or some of your other health professionals for referrals. If you are a student, contact your school’s counseling center. Ask family, friends and peers from support groups for recommendations.

What to do if your first attempt is not successful?

If your first attempt does not prove successful, don’t give up. Finding someone who will be invested in your long-term wellness, through thick and thin, takes experimentation.

What does a good provider listen to?

A great provider listens to the person not only as a patient, but as a person with a life story that goes beyond symptoms and diagnosis. Even though it can be difficult to trust your judgment when you are struggling, pay attention to your instincts and trust your gut reaction.

Can a psychiatrist prescribe medication?

Since they have medical training, psychiatrists — unlike psychologists — can prescribe medication. Typically, a patient receives “split treatment,” with a psychiatrist handling the management of medication and a psychologist providing talk therapy, though some psychiatrists also practice psychotherapy.

What are the two approaches to therapy?

There are a range of approaches to therapy, but many therapists combine elements from two schools: cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy . Before you look for a therapist, it pays to understand these two approaches.

Is it hard to take things in stride?

But when life takes a challenging turn, it can be hard to take things in stride. Perhaps you're feeling persistently irritable (a frequent sign of depression) or experiencing the stress that often comes from caring for an elderly parent. Maybe your marriage is in a rut or you're grappling with a major life change, ...

What is cognitive behavioral therapy?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a directive therapy, which means the therapist leads the process, teaching patients how to develop effective ways of coping with a range of problems, including depression, anxiety and panic disorders . “Cognitive behavioral therapy is based on the idea that ...

What is psychodynamic therapy?

While CBT concentrates on the here and now, psychodynamic therapy (PDT) is an exploratory therapy that delves deep into the past and your unconscious to help you gain insight and get to the root of your problems. The idea here is that most people's thoughts, feelings, behaviors and the choices they make are tied to earlier (sometimes forgotten) experiences. By becoming aware of connections, you may find it easier to break unhealthy patterns. For example, Bufka says, “a significant loss as a child may contribute to current fears about losing a loved one.”

What is a psychotherapist?

First of all, “psychotherapist” is basically a blanket term for any trained professional who treats people for emotional problems or mental health issues. This includes psychiatrists, psychologists and clinical social workers.

What degree do social workers have?

Clinical social workers. These therapists typically have a master's degree. “When some people hear ‘social worker,’ they think of professionals who work in hospitals, helping with transition care, for example,” Bufka says. “But there is a segment of social workers who are trained to provide psychotherapy.”.

Can a therapist give you a free consultation?

Some therapists will offer a free brief consultation over the phone prior to scheduling your first appointment. This can allow you to get to know the person a little and ask any questions you may have.

Is it important to find a good therapist?

And while the process of finding someone you think you can connect with may seem a little daunting, it’s well worth the effort.

Who is Amy Morin?

Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind . She's also a psychotherapist, the author of the bestselling book "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," and the host of The Verywell Mind Podcast. Learn about our editorial process. Amy Morin, LCSW. Updated on December 24, 2020.

What is therapeutic alliance?

Edward Bordin, one of the first researchers to examine the effect of therapeutic alliance, found that the alliance isn’t just composed of a bond between the therapist and the patient. It also has to do with agreement on the goals of therapy and the methods used to reach those goals. 1 .

Who discovered the therapeutic alliance?

Edward Bordin, one of the first researchers to examine the effect of therapeutic alliance, found that the alliance isn’t just composed of a bond between the therapist and the patient. It also has to do with agreement on the goals of therapy and the methods used to reach those goals. 1 

What questions do therapists ask?

The therapist may ask questions about your childhood, your medical history, your family, and any history of past mental health treatment. This can help them gain an overall view of you.

Do you need a degree to become a life coach?

This is important if you are looking for therapy as opposed to life coaching. Life coaches are not required to have a specific degree , and they don’t have oversight by a governing board. Licensed therapists must meet state qualifications, which may include the following: Passing a licensing test.