Personal issues that can be helped by a mental health professional include such things as racing thoughts, anxiety, depression, life-stage challenges, and mood swings, to name a few. If you feel bad and your medical doctor can’t find anything wrong with you physically, maybe you would find relief from a mental health professional. You do not have to “learn to live with it.” There is nothing wrong with asking for help.
These “issues” are often caused by changes in brain chemistry. The changes can be brought on by a myriad of things including certain medical conditions, prescription drugs for medical conditions, hormonal changes, stress, grief, and difficult situations. Even age and genetics can play a role. Medication is available to assist in balancing the chemistry in your brain, if needed. You may be required to have blood work done before medication is prescribed
When chemical imbalance is not a factor, often just having someone to discuss things with can help you understand your individual situation. You’re probably heard the saying “can’t see the forest for the trees.” This is a perfect example of that – sometimes you are just too involved to be able to see a solution without assistance. An uninvolved third party can help tremendously.
Discussing your life in some detail is necessary for a counselor to determine how they can assist you. They want to help you feel better and learning about your life is the first step. It can be scary to talk to a stranger about something you are so uncertain of. It can be difficult to lay out your private problems or thoughts to someone you’ve just met. They know this and will help make you feel comfortable. How soon a therapist can help you is really up to you and how transparent you can be with them. Expect this and be prepared to spill your guts. The plus side is that they are bound by ethics and law not to disclose anything you discuss, unless they feel you might do harm to yourself or others. Even then disclosure is limited. You should feel protected in a therapy session and be able to be honest.
Know it’s normal to feel anxious about taking the first step. After you get through your first appointment, you will leave thinking, “That wasn’t as bad as I expected.” Contact us and take that first step to living a better quality life and allow us to help you feel better.