Getting the Most from Mental Health Services
Mental health is intricately intertwined with the physical health of every human being. It begins developing the day we are born and is influenced by a number of factors, such as genetics, environment, and the curveballs life throws at us. Fortunately, psychiatric services are becoming more accessible and these services provide guidance, support, assistance, and medical care to those who seek it out. Psychiatric services can vary to adapt to the needs of each patient and provide them each with the care they require.
Mindful Living Group offers a diverse number of psychiatric services for children, adolescents, and adults. By combining natural and modern medicine with empirically-based techniques, the team is able to treat mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, eating disorders, OCD, and many more. Each therapist and counselor have their areas of expertise to provide the highest level of care to each individual patient.
Mental Health And Psychiatric Services
Psychiatric services are not one-size-fits-all. What works for one person may not be helpful to the next person. Fortunately, there are several ways people can receive care for their mental health. The most popular method is psychotherapy (or “talk therapy”) and pharmaceutical interventions. However, the mind and body are intricately connected, and many physical treatment methods provide benefits to mental health.
Care for our mental health is equally as important as care for our physical health. Practices such as yoga, mindfulness, and meditation incorporate preventative and healing measures to the body and mind. Psychotherapy can take place weekly, biweekly, or monthly depending on your particular situation. It is a healthy outlet to learn stress management, problem-solving skills, and gain deeper insight into yourself. In some cases, psychiatric medications are coupled with therapy programs.
Finding the right therapist or counselor is vital to each person’s care. The therapeutic relationship is the professional alliance established among the therapist and patient and has been deemed a critical factor in the success rate of therapy. This relationship is built on a foundation of trust, safety, respect, and mutual effort. During therapy sessions, it is expected for uncomfortable or painful emotions and memories to surface so they may be resolved and the individual is able to move forward in life. It is essential for patients to feel safe during this vulnerable time. This safety requires a bond and trust with their therapist or counselor, whose job is to provide guidance, support, and education. It is crucial for there to be no judgment, punishment, or a sense that you, as a patient, are unable to open up – honestly.
Psychotherapy Services At Mindful Living Group
Psychotherapy (or “talk therapy”) is a process between a therapist or counselor and an individual, couples, family unit, or a group. This therapeutic process can be short or long term, formally structured or more “free-flowing,” and adaptable to each person’s specific needs. There are many methods psychotherapy can occur. Most of these depend on the therapist or counselor’s training, experience, and decision on what will best help each client. Methods include, but are not limited to, Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapies, Humanistic Therapy, and Psychoanalytic Therapy.
It is important to remember that when you first begin psychotherapy, it may take a couple of tries before finding a therapist or counselor that is the right fit. If you are not seeing progress or you are still unable to begin feeling comfortable after several visits, it is essential to voice this. There may be adjustments that can be made, or your therapist may be able to help you find someone else who will be more suitable to provide you the care needed.
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy sessions typically last 45 to 60 minutes each and can be either short or long term, depending on the needs of each patient. This can be an excellent place to begin your journey of recovery and healing. Individual sessions give people time to focus on themselves healthily as the therapist often leads the direction of each meeting. In some cases, the therapist or counselor may suggest coupling sessions with group, couples, or family therapy depending on the circumstances afflicting the person’s life.
Couples Therapy
Relationships are complex. There’s no denying this fact. No matter how much you love a person, sometimes you need the guidance of a professional to help navigate conflict or present ideas to bring back the excitement that so often gets lost in the mundane of daily routines. There are many reasons people seek help from a couple’s therapist or counselor: financial, communication, fertility, one or both people may have a mental health disorder, trauma, or maybe they are caught in a rut. There is no shame in seeking the help of a couple’s therapist.
Family Therapy
Family therapy is often sought out when there is a conflict that cannot be resolved or when there has been a significant loss or trauma. Another reason a family therapist is often a beneficial resource is when a family member is suffering from a mental or learning disorder. In these cases, the therapist or counselor is able to provide the family with valuable skills to utilize in daily life, assist in bettering communication, and provide education on the disorder.
Group Therapy
Group therapy is often underestimated for its ability to help people. It brings together people who are facing similar life situations and gives them a community and a network of resources, connections, and support. Group therapy is often led by one or two therapists and consists of approximately five to 15 members. For more information on group therapy, read our blog here.
Psychiatric Care At Mindful Living Group
Mindful Living Group provides a distinct psychiatric service through its team of psychiatric nurse practitioners. The expertly trained and licensed nurse practitioners have unique credentials and specializations in psychiatry, providing each patient with individualized care. Treatment plans may include the use of psychiatric medications, psychotherapy, recommendations for nutrition changes or overall diet, exercise, and more. The medical team’s goal is to assist each person in achieving a healthy, fulfilling life through the combination of appropriate medical care and building on each patient’s strengths, values, and goals.
Why Mental Health Services Are Important
Mental health and psychiatric services provide numerous benefits to the lives of those who seek out care. Communication and interpersonal skills are two areas that are significantly improved and, in turn, sow and reap benefits throughout multiple other areas in life. Our complex ability to communicate and create connections is foundational to being human. Developing and bettering the ability to communicate is far more than being able to speak; it’s actively listening to others, to ourselves, and understanding the emotion and feeling behind what we and others say. Nonverbal communication, especially body language, plays a prominent role too. In bettering these skills, people are able to build trust and respect, overcome diversity, problem-solve more efficiently, and help establish deeper relationships with others. Not only do communication skills benefit us in our personal lives, but professional lives, too.
The exchanges we have with ourselves are potentially one of the most influential factors on our mental health. Learning to have compassion for ourselves is healing and essential for recovery and growth. Psychotherapy teaches us healthier ways to think and helps us open our minds to the ebb and flow of life. The mindfulness skills taught by the therapists and counselors at MLG provide new ways to perceive what is happening around us and within us. You may be able to gain deeper insights into your emotions, thoughts, and the essence of yourself. Mindfulness is a proven method of reducing stress and increasing overall mental and physical health.
Getting Started At Mindful Living Group
Mental health services are as effective as you are willing to allow them. Meaning: you must be ready – of your own volition – to put in the work and commitment it takes, with an open heart and mind to change and grow. Mindful Living Group’s compassionate therapists, counselors, and medical team are available and ready to help you overcome any challenges you are facing. There is no shame in reaching out for help. Genuine joy and peace are accessible to everyone.
Contact Mindful Living Group today to start your journey to a healthy, happier, fulfilling life.