As per Mental Health America, a mental health counselor is equipped by training to hold group or individual counseling sessions. Mental health counselors can diagnose mental health conditions but can’t prescribe medication.
Most people aren’t aware of how mental counselors help. However, as they begin receiving psychotherapy, they get to see how valuable these professionals can be. If you’re yet to understand how mental health counselors help, read along to get enlightened.
Mental health counselors offer advice, support, and a safe space for individuals to open up about their problems without being judged.
Mental Health Counselors Help Someone:
- Identify what’s affecting their mental health
- Understand their feelings
- Set goals for personal growth
- Discover their true selves
- Understand more about mental health conditions
- Learn more about coping strategies
Mental health counselors are equipped with the knowledge to recognize symptoms of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. There are different mental conditions and life events that a counselor can help with. Some of these conditions and life events include:
- Addiction
- Grief or loss
- Bereavement
- Phobias
- Relationship and family difficulties
- Eating disorders
- Observe-compulsive disorder
It’s important to note that counselors specialize in one or more of the areas named above. They can also special training to assist individuals who have experienced sexual assault, trauma, or domestic violence.
Counseling often focuses on dealing with the main symptoms or challenges an individual can’t deal with mentally. This helps individuals overcome challenges, obstacles, or events affecting their mental health.
A mental health counselor helps one develop healthy coping mechanisms to solve their challenges by themselves. Also, a mental health counselor can refer you to a doctor, dietician, or support group upon determining the need to do so.
Remember, you don’t need to experience severe symptoms to seek counseling. Some people attend counseling because they need to talk to a nonjudgmental professional about what’s disturbing them.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, it might take 11 years on average for someone with a mental health condition to receive treatment.
Nevertheless, seeking early intervention can reduce the period of your recovery and reduce the impacts that mental health can have on your general health.
Roles of Mental Health Counselors
As earlier said, mental health counselors, help an individual cope with their challenges in a better way. They help one manage their stress and how to manage their emotions. Counseling can be focused on recovery or management of the conditions. Additionally, mental health counselors can also help patients to modify their behaviors for better results.
Mental health counselors are found in various settings such as hospitals, schools, clinics, private offices, and substance abuse treatment facilities. For one to be a mental health counselor, they require at least a bachelor’s degree. Nevertheless, a master’s degree in psychology, clinical social work, or mental health might be required.
The following are different forms of mental health counseling:
Counseling During Crisis
Mental health counselors assist persons with an immediate need for treatment following a traumatic event. They might help a person distressed over an accident or natural disaster. Also, mental health counselors help rape and violence victims.
Mental health counselors provide crisis treatments for persons who have become suicidal, are a threat to other people, refuse medication, or are experiencing severe mental health symptoms.
Counseling for Mental Challenges
Mental health counselors help individuals with a different range of mental health issues. They help one identify coping mechanisms for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, anger management, among other challenges. They can also treat persons dealing with post-traumatic stress issues, troubled relationships, and grief. For instance, a mental health counselor can treat a domestic violence victim or treat the abuser. Additionally, a mental health counselor can treat an individual with poor self-esteem.
Counseling for Life Changes
Mental health counselors also offer help for persons experiencing life changes that might cause anxiety and stress. This might be when choosing a career path or are changing their career. Also, most counselors help people deal with life changes linked to aging and their emotions. Mainly, this form of counseling deals with setting goals, working towards them, and managing stress and anxiety.
Counseling for Addiction and Substance
People dealing with addiction and substance abuse often require professional help to recover. Fortunately, mental health counselors are there to help. For instance, a counselor can help individuals struggling with drug addiction, including prescription drugs and alcoholism. In such events, a counselor focuses on assisting the patient in recognizing the problem, understanding the triggers, and developing coping mechanisms towards recovery.
The counselor may counsel people close to the patient on dealing with any issue due to addiction. The counselor also coaches the patient in maintaining recovery success.
What Is the Role of Therapists in a Team Effort
While mental therapists work with a patient on a one-on-one basis, some work as a part of a team. For instance, a mental health counselor might consult or work with medical professionals to ensure that their patient gets proper care and treatment depending on their mental and physical health. They can also work closely with educational professionals and other therapists.
Additionally, a mental health therapist can work with patients in a group, helping them to learn from other patients in addition to treatment.
How Mental Health Counselors Can Help – Conclusion
We all need to be in our right mind to perform our daily activities. However, some life events such as death and accidents can sometimes be inevitable. Such events might lead to anxiety and depression. In such cases, you might require to work with a mental health counselor. These professionals will help you overcome your mental health challenges and develop coping mechanisms.
Also, persons dealing with addiction and victims of certain circumstances can seek counselors’ help to determine a treatment plan. Generally, everyone with mental challenges can seek a counselor’s help to know how to get better and lead a healthy life. If you’re looking for mental health resources, the team at LGBTQ and ALL Resources have compiled a list of therapists from all over the world, make sure to check them out and find a suitable professional to assist you when needed.
