Navigating Mental Health Information & Support Services
Over the last 10 years, there has been such wonderful development in raising awareness and talk of mental health. Lots of organizations, doctors and celebrities have taken up the cause of bringing mental health to the forefront of our conversations. And there is a virtually endless amount of information online about mental health topics, which can be accessed by the click of a button. The benefit of all of this information and awareness, is that people feel more comfortable and validated in sharing their mental health experiences and seeking help when they need it.
There is a downside to this information overload however, which is a confusion over where to turn for accurate and trusted information as well as how to find reputable and professional support. Below, I’ll share some of the most helpful tools to keep on hand for when you’re wanting to learn more about mental health topics. And then I’ll also cover options and things to look for if you’re seeking a mental health provider.
Where to Find More Information:
First, let’s cover some of the best places to go if you want to learn more about mental health topics (hint: it’s not social media!). While social media can be great for normalizing personal experiences, it can also be a great source of disinformation and leads to inaccurate self-diagnosis and anxiety. Just like a doctor will discourage patients from attempting to diagnose their own medical concerns on the internet, it can also be dangerous to diagnose your own mental health issues with social media or AI.
Fortunately, there are some great sources of information out there! So if you have questions and love to read, check these out! PS- They all have social media accounts so you can follow them there.
Also, our website here has lots of article links and blogs for more information too! Check out the “Resources” Tab.
Where to Find A Therapist:
Finding a therapist is a very personal and sometimes intimidating process. Searching through therapist profiles can be overwhelming at times, which may mean that people put off starting the process, sometimes indefinitely. Also, there is a lot of talk about online therapy platforms due to their heavy marketing. This may seem like an easy way to get started, with companies promoting quick and easy scheduling and low fees, but there have also been negative reports of low quality services. If you decide to go that way, do your own research and look for a strong connection with a therapist you feel comfortable with. And if you don’t find that from an online therapy platform, please don’t be afraid to look elsewhere for a better fit!
Fortunately, there are lots of other great options for places to find a good quality therapist.
Here are some good options to try:
~Ask for recommendations from friends/family- It’s so comforting to get a personal recommendation from someone you know and trust who had a good experience with a therapist. Even if you’d prefer not to see the same therapist as your friend/family, that therapist may have other people in their practice or colleagues to recommend to you.
~Group Practices- Group practices are a collaborative environment where there are several therapists who have individual specialties, modalities and schedules. These are a great option for both individuals as well as families because the therapists can work together to help meet everyone’s needs.
~Psychology Today, TherapyDen, Being Seen- These resources offer a searchable collection of therapists that can be helpful in narrowing down therapists by their specialties, modalities and locations. Once you’ve found some therapists you’re interested in, then jump over to their websites to gather even more information as well.
~Open Path- Open Path is a non-profit organization that gives people access to therapists in their area who are open to offering a sliding scale fee for out of network sessions.
There are so many great therapists out there and once you find a therapist who is a good fit for you, you’ll never regret the time you spend on yourself, it’s an investment in you!
At A Balanced Approach, we are a group practice with 5 excellent therapists who cover a wide range of specialties and ages. We see people from 2-100 and cover play therapy for children, support of parents and families, childhood behaviors and emotions, anxiety, OCD, cognitive behavioral therapies, maternal wellness, mindfulness and so much more! We strive to support both individuals and families and we work hard to get people the help they’re looking for as quickly as possible! We will return your initial call within 24 business hours and can usually get folks scheduled within a few business days.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to one of us and we’ll work together to find the best fit for you!