Feeling stressed? Overburdened? Overwhelmed? A study released by the National Institute of Mental Health revealed that more than a quarter of American adults experience anxiety, depression, or other mental disorders throughout the duration of any given year. Even more need help coping with other issues, such as the loss of a loved one, weight loss, or smoking cessation. Then there are those with relationship troubles, loss of employment, and substance abuse.
No problem is greater than any of the others are. All of the issues above can be debilitating and cause immense dissatisfaction and unhappiness in one’s life. In today’s fast paced world, these problems have become all the more prevalent, which is why psychotherapy in Chicago IL is becoming increasingly commonplace.
What Is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is conducted by trained psychologists. These individuals apply sound scientific procedures to help individuals develop healthier habits and more productive ways of coping with issues. This may involve:
1. Cognitive behavioral training
2. Interpersonal therapy
3. Dialectical behavior therapy
4. Family focused therapy
Some psychotherapists may also apply psychodynamic therapy and light therapy.
When Should One Consider Psychotherapy?
There are many misconceptions and myths attached to psychotherapy. One doesn’t need to wait until he or she has been diagnosed with a mental disorder or when he or she is in dire straits. Individuals who consider this type of treatment often do so because:
1. They have been depressed or anxious for an extended period of time
2. They are angry
3. A chronic illness is standing in the way of their emotional and physical well-being
4. An individual needs help working through a short term problem (such as children moving out of the home or a divorce)
Certain emotional states that one may find them in can also indicate that one can significantly benefit from all that psychotherapy has to offer.
1. You feel a prolonged sense of sadness
2. You feel helpless
3. You are having a hard time completing tasks or day to day activities
4. You feel “edgy”
5. You work excessively
6. You are abusing alcohol or drugs
7. You are more aggressive
8. Your problems are not getting better despite helping yourself and receiving help from friends and family members
Finding the Right Psychologist
Psychologists may have varying specialties and years of experience. Each may also have a different approach to treatment (i.e. more natural such as yoga and meditation versus a referral to a psychiatrist for medication). But the most important factor that one should be looking for in a psychologist is how comfortable they feel with them. Even the most experienced and acclaimed of psychologists have been turned down by individuals simply because they didn’t sense a great rapport with them.
