A recent article published in Business Insider, titled ‘7 Things Mental Health Experts Wish Everyone Knew About Therapy’ by Amy Morin includes this list:
- Therapy isn’t for the weak minded.
- There are many different types of therapy.
- It’s important to find the best therapist for you.
- Online therapy is an option.
- Therapy doesn’t have to last a long time.
- You don’t have to talk about things you don’t want to address.
- The information you share is confidential.
You can read the full Business Insider article by Amy Morin here.
As a mental health provider, Elemental Mental Health, agrees with this list and would like to discuss each item in further detail.
Mental Health Therapy Isn’t for the Weak Minded
We actually believe the exact opposite. We think that those seeking help for any mental health issues they may be struggling with are strong and smart people. It is easy to sit back and do nothing. It’s much more difficult to face your issues, acknowledge that you need help, and then work towards making the changes necessary to combat those issues and grow as a person.
There Are Many Different Types of Therapy
Many people have the misconception that therapy consists of lying on a couch talking about your childhood. Yes, some people may need to do this if they are dealing with issues caused by childhood trauma. But this is not the case for most people.
At Elemental Mental Health, we use a person-centered approach to therapy. We work with our clients to recognize and address the mental health issues they are currently struggling with. Then we work on a plan together to combat those issues. We use a variety of tools and tactics to work toward a solution that works for each individual client.
It is Important to Find the Best Therapist for You
People (in general) are very different, therefore, different people are more comfortable in different situations. You need to think about what type of therapy or therapist you would be most comfortable talking to. Some things to consider may include:
- Are you more comfortable going to the therapist’s office for therapy sessions or would online therapy be more comfortable and/or convenient for you?
- If you prefer the idea of online therapy, do you have a private space at home or at work where you would feel comfortable discussing private matters?
- Are you more comfortable opening up to a male or female therapist? Does that matter to you?
- What mental health issue(s) are you seeking help for? It is best to work with a therapist that treats those specific issues or disorders. View a full list of the issues and disorders that Dr. Alyx MacTernan specializes in here: Disorders Treated
- Some types of therapy, such as couples counseling requires more than one party to participate in therapy. You will need to find a type of therapy and therapist that you are both comfortable with.
Online Therapy Is an Option
Time and location are two very important factors that you need to consider when deciding what type of mental health therapy is best for you. Mental health counseling will only work if you are willing to put in the time and effort needed.
You need to find a mental health provider that fits into your schedule. Does a weekday session (while the kids are at school) work best for you? Do you have limited time off from work and would you prefer evening sessions? Do you travel frequently for work and weekends work best for you? Determine what days and times work best and find a therapist that fits into your schedule.
Location is another factor you need to consider. Do you live in a big city with horrible traffic and getting across town a stressful challenge? Or do you live in a rural area and have to drive a long distance to get to the closest town? Think about what location(s) are most convenient for you to travel to regularly for sessions. And consider online counseling – it is a safe, convenient alternative to in-office sessions.
Elemental Mental Health offers online counseling for residents of Georgia, Florida and Texas. And we have extended office hours, allowing our clients the ability to pre-schedule evening or weekend appointments.
You Don’t Have to Talk About Things in Therapy that You Do Not Want to Address
At Elemental Mental Health, we use a person-centered approach to therapy that allows clients to take more of a lead in discussions. The therapist’s role in person-centered therapy is to be a compassionate facilitator – to help drive discovery and change in the areas the client would like to focus on.
The Information You Share is Confidential
Online therapy with Elemental Mental Health is safe, and your online security is of the utmost importance. The (online) telemental health platforms utilized by Elemental Mental Health are secure and meet HIPAA data privacy and security provisions for safeguarding medical information. You can find our notice of privacy practices and specific information for residents of each state we service on our website’s forms & fees page.
Learn More About Mental Health Counseling Services from Elemental Mental Health
We offer online mental health counseling services to residents of Georgia, Florida and Texas. If you are interested in learning more or have any specific questions, please reach out to us via the website contact form or give us a call at 404-548-8737.