Mental Health Services That Can Improve Your Well-Being
Mental health is a vital component of overall well-being. It affects the way you feel and think. It impacts your ability to maintain and work relationships and socialize and make decisions.
Treatment can help you manage your symptoms and improve the quality of your life. Talk therapy and medicines can be included. You can inquire with your insurance provider to find out the treatments that are covered.
Individual Therapy
Psychotherapy, also known as individual therapy, is the process through which a person works one-on-one with an expert in mental health to tackle issues that affect their emotional and psychological well-being. In these sessions, also known as counseling or talk therapy, people can discuss their beliefs, feelings and actions in a safe and secure environment. They can also work through difficult or traumatic memories, identify aspects of their lives that they'd like to change, and start working toward positive change.
It is important to realize that, despite the numerous advantages to individual therapy, it isn't a panacea to make problems disappear. It teaches strategies for coping to help people face issues and live their lives more fully. Individual therapy is typically utilized in conjunction with other behavioral and mental treatment options, such as family or group therapy to produce the most effective outcomes.
The first step to find a therapist who is right for you is to look at the directory of your insurance company. Some insurance companies have directories of therapy providers who are in network. You can also ask for the recommendation of a doctor. Many therapists provide group counseling as well and can recommend it either in place of or in addition to your individual sessions.
In private sessions, your therapist might employ different methods, based on your individual needs. For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on helping you identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It could include learning to express your emotions in healthy ways and identifying strategies for solving problems and practicing mindfulness.
Individual sessions can be held either online or in person and last around an hour. They can be scheduled weekly or more frequently, as required. Individual therapy can help you overcome the problems that cause you stress. It can also help improve your quality of life, by enhancing your self-awareness and encouraging lifestyle changes.
Finding the right therapist an essential first step towards recovery, whether you are going through a major life change, such as loss or divorce or are struggling with addiction. If you're ready to begin your journey, get in touch with us today.
Group Therapy
Group therapy, which is often referred to as support groups, gives you the chance to talk about your feelings and concerns with others who have similar issues. Meeting with other people who are in the same position can make you realize that you aren't alone and encourage you to explore new ideas that may simplify your life. You can learn from others their experiences and learn from how they fought through their challenges.
Most group therapy sessions are led by a mental healthcare specialist who is experienced in treating the problem or condition that the group is focused on. The leader may have specific experience in one of the more popular types of psychotherapy, like cognitive behavior therapy or interpersonal therapy. Group therapy can be used on its own or used in conjunction with individual counseling.
The purpose of group therapy is to improve your functioning in all areas of your life including the workplace, relationships and at your home. Some groups are based upon a diagnosis, like substance abuse, depression or addiction, while others are open to anyone to join. Some groups are facilitated by two therapists. Research suggests that co-led groups have more benefits than groups with one leader.
Some group therapy sessions are psychoeducational and focus more on delivering information and education on certain topics like conquering phobias or recovering from addiction. Other groups are more interactive and focuses on the interaction between participants, such as groups that process or skills development groups. Others are based on specific techniques such as cognitive-behavioral or socialization skills training.
In many cases, a person in group therapy will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement just as they would with individual psychotherapy. This is due to the vulnerability of sharing personal thoughts and struggles in a group setting. The therapist can also provide additional privacy by using first names or initials, which can be helpful for people who are hesitant to share their true identities with others.
Hospital or Residential Treatment
A person's mental health can be so bad that they have to be in a hospital or a residential treatment facility for the duration of their care. It's usually a last option, but a reputable treatment facility can save someone's life when they are in a state of crisis and at risk of harming themselves or anyone else. A hospital or a residential treatment program can assist someone to get back on track, and learn to deal with mental illness instead of having it control them.
Inpatient treatment is the most specialized degree of care that provides 24 hour supervision in a secure area in a hospital or treatment facility. This option is for those suffering from a serious mental health crisis or were previously hospitalized for self-harm or other dangerous behavior. Inpatient care usually includes a psychiatric evaluation and assessment and medication management, as well as a plan for continuing treatment in the community.
The purpose of inpatient treatment is to help a person improve their symptoms enough to reduce or eliminate their need for psychiatric drugs and prepare them to return to daily activities in the community. Inpatient treatment is often the most effective method to stabilize a person who is suffering from an acute mental illness like schizophrenia, clinical depression or bipolar disorder.
Inpatient treatment patients will be required to be able to attend group and individual therapy sessions. These sessions can either be therapeutic or educational or both, but they can be both. They can help a patient feel understood and accepted, which is an important aspect of recovery. Individual therapy can help someone identify the factors that caused their psychiatric crisis and hospitalization, and also learn how to manage them in the future.
Residential treatment provides a more home-like environment than the hospital setting and can be offered in a live-in setting or a partial hospitalization program (PHP). PHP programs are a step up from inpatient treatment, and they allow patients to apply the skills they learned during their residential treatment. Residential treatment can also be conducted as a group residential community in which a person is living with other people going through the same experience, which could be beneficial both during and after the program.
Medication
People suffering from mental health issues can benefit greatly from taking medications. They alter brain chemicals that regulate thoughts and emotions, and are usually more effective when they are combined with psychotherapy. Psychiatric medications can also reduce symptoms that interfere with treatment such as anxiety, depression or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, so a person can participate more fully in therapy.
Sometimes, medications can be sufficient, especially when mild mental illnesses are well controlled. It's essential to talk to a mental health professional should you have any concerns about your medication and how it's impacting you.
Your mental health professional will watch for indications that your symptoms are becoming more severe or dangerous. He or she will examine how your symptoms impact your quality of living and activities and determine if you are at risk of causing harm to others or yourself.
If your mental health condition is serious, you may require treatment in a psychiatric institution. Options there include 24-hour inpatient care, partial or day hospitalization and residential treatment, which offers a place to live while providing assistance. These settings are recommended when a person is unable to take care of themselves, doesn't have the ability to return safely to their home or is in immediate danger.
New Yorkers who require mental health services can get assistance in their communities as well as online. Many counties offer free, confidential, and unbiased counseling services and referrals for mental illnesses, addiction disorders and co-occurring diseases like HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis. Many communities have local programs that aid people suffering from mental disorders. They include resilience and coping tools. Some organizations also provide telephone or online crisis counseling.