The importance of mental health is clear to everyone today, and we’re all paying much more attention to it, rather as dismissing any kinds of issues as something that will pass on its own. We know that help is necessary and we know how to get that help. By working with psychotherapists. Here is what psychotherapy is.
If you’re looking for quick and easy answers to your troubles, for advice on how to go through life, and for clear directives on how to behave, then you’re not at the right address. Psychotherapy helps you find your way through the issues and figure everything out on your own, thus equipping you for mechanisms to use when you encounter any other issues in the future. That in itself is the essence of mental health.
No matter what your issues are, whether it’s anxiety that you won’t be accepted in the community as a member of LGBTQ+, depression stemming from various different reasons, or practically any other problem, getting professional help is a must. There’s no reason for you to go through this alone and struggle. Working with the right people can help improve your mental health.
The key part above is the part where I’m saying that working with the right people helps. This indicates that there are also wrong people, which is true. It’s not because some therapists are not properly equipped and skilled for the job, although that happens too, but it’s not my place to judge. It’s because not every client and therapist will “click”, so to speak and work well together.
If you’re not sure whether it’s time for therapy, read this: https://www.self.com/story/signs-to-consider-therapy
For instance, a member of the LGBTQ+ community is more likely to benefit from a therapist that is sensible and unbiased towards the mentioned community. In a perfect world, every mental health professional would be like that, as well as any other person for that matter. Since we’re not living in a perfect world, though, members of this community are presented with a unique set of challenges to overcome, including the challenge of finding LGBTQ+ friendly therapy. How can you do that?
Google Searches And Online Databases
Google searches, as well as certain online databases, will lead you towards getting familiar with at least some LGBTQ+ friendly therapists you could work with. By simply typing in those keywords, you’ll be presented with numerous results. Don’t jump towards immediately contacting some of those pros, though, but remember the names of the ones you liked.
And So Do The People Around You
While the Internet can help, it should be clear that the human element shouldn’t be taken out of the equation. In different words, you shouldn’t ignore others and their suggestions. After all, you’ll be working with a person who’ll be responsible for improving your mental health, and that’s far too serious to leave up to chance and rely solely on those online searches. You want to know if other members of your community have experience with certain therapists and you want to check if those experiences have been great or not.
Talking to some of those people you’re friends with, as well as checking with your local LGBTQ+ centers can lead you to finding great mental health therapists you might want to contact. Remember, though, that we’re all different, and that what worked for me might not work for you. So, listen to those suggestions, but do some further research before making up your mind and contacting one of those professionals.
They Have To Be Licensed
When doing further research on your own, licenses are the first thing to check. Working with unlicensed people claiming to be therapists can be dangerous. Either they never had a license or they lost it for some reason, both of which is an indicator that they could do much more harm than good. Licenses are an absolute must, so make sure to check for those before deciding.
And You Could Check Their Specializations Too
Some therapists work mostly with depression and anxiety, others focus on compulsions and obsessions, some deal with personality disorders or psychosis, and then there are those who work with pretty much everything. If you’re looking to solve a specific issue and then work on your personal growth, going for an all-rounded professional is the best move. Yet, finding one that specializes in the specific issue you’re facing could also be a good idea if you’ve been struggling with the issue for a while and if you’ve been unsuccessfully trying to solve it with a number of therapists already.
Feel Free To Make A Change
Perhaps the most significant thing to understand here is that you have the right to make a change, i.e. to leave a therapist you don’t like working with and find another one. There are great reasons to try therapy (additional info), but if you don’t feel comfortable enough with the professional, then you won’t see much improvement. Nevertheless, there’s a trap here that you don’t want to fall into.
Simply put, trust and comfort come with time, and how long it will take you to get comfortable depends solely on you. Some people take longer, while some are more open. So, it’s not all the therapist’s responsibility. If you’re changing these professionals often, never giving them a chance for longer than a few sessions, that could be a sign that you’re in resistance, and sticking it out rather than making another change could be the better move.
