Finding a professional
When you feel low, anxious, depressed, or when you simply feel something isn't quite right, it can be hard to know where to turn. However, there are professionals out there that can help you.
We suggest you see your GP if you are experiencing mental health problems. If you have a diagnosis, you may be treated through the NHS, and you are likely to encounter two routes of treatment:
- Medication - If you have moderate - severe mental health problems your GP may decide this route is best for you. Schizophrenia and bipolar for example are two mental illnesses that we would expect to be treated with medication. Moderate to severe depression may also be treated with medication, while some forms of anxiety may be treated this way if your healthcare provider deems it appropriate.
- Talking therapy - Talking therapies have been shown to be very good in treating most mental illnesses. Obviously all mental illness is different, and all people are different, however this is very likely to form a big part of your treatment and recovery process.
We suggest if you have not recieved a diagnosis, that you see your GP who will be best placed to give this, however, you may just be experiencing a low ebb and seek counselling privately.
Once treatment options are laid out before you, you may wish to stay within the NHS for treatment, however you may want to find a therapist yourself, this would afford you the option of finding someone you want and also give you flexibility in how you wish to work your own recovery. Within the NHS there may be a certain number of sessions, or particular forms of psychotherapy that are available, not giving you as much choice as private options.
Whether through the NHS or privately you will be looking to form a good relationship with your therapist. It has been proven that the way we respond to our therapist is equally as important as the type of therapeutic process they use (existential, person-centred, holistic). So it is very important yo ufeel able to respond to your therapist and that you trust and feel confident in them.
It is a good idea to set goals with your therapist and ask what they would like to see achieved in therapy, so you have a clear understanding of what both parties expect. It is also an idea to ask how those goals may be achieved and if there is a set plan. It is your right to ask questions and therapy does work best when you take an active role in your own recovery - after all there are many hours in the week that you will not be sat talking to your therapist.
Where can you look?
Our counselling directory gives you a list of therapists in your area, simply select a category:
It is very important that you feel confident in your therapist and are assured of their credibility, these two websites are worth a look:
Psychologists: British Psychological Society (BPS) Website: www.bps.org
CBT Therapists: British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) Website: www.babcp.com/
Further information
For more Information on Depression, please visit:
