The Pros and Cons of Online Counseling vs. In-Person Counseling
The internet has made the way we interact and live our lives easier in so many ways. You can shop for clothes and groceries online, for example. You can do important business work online. You can even get an entire degree just from online classes. With that, there’s no reason the internet can’t help you achieve good mental health. That’s where options like online counseling can benefit you.
Life can be hectic, so having the option to get professional mental health care at any time is important. New Perspectives Therapeutic Services can meet you with those options.
Clinical Director and counselor Nigeria McHellon provides therapeutic approaches that help you achieve the results you’re looking for. Whether you and your loved one are looking for marriage counseling or individual help, these approaches can help you. Make sure you contact New Perspectives Therapeutic Services and find the right form of therapy for you.
Now let’s explore taking up mental health counseling online or in person.
What is Online Counseling Exactly?
Online counseling is the option for someone to talk to a mental health professional through video chat or phone calls. In this digital age, it’s convenient to get the help you need quickly through a video chat. Through the internet, you can obtain a session with a mental health professional from your own home.
Benefits of Online Video Therapy
Online therapy is often more convenient and accessible. Maybe you have mobility limitations, or you live someplace remote. Maybe the mental health counseling nearby can’t connect with you and your struggles. Whatever the case may be, there’s a good chance you can find that person you need online. The options for counselors are wider, so you’re bound to find one that works well with your needs.
For some, online counseling is more comfortable. Your home is familiar to you, so it’s easier to connect with the session than in a strange building. With online counseling, you’re able to schedule your sessions on your time. Video therapy allows you to have the time in your busy schedule to unload mentally.
Cons of Online Video Therapy
Online counseling can feel impersonal. That connection you need with a counselor can sometimes fall short in a video call. You’re able to stay focused in your sessions in person, whereas you might get distracted online.
Technology can fail at any time. The success of your session might be hindered on any given day by a lot of tech factors. Your internet might be slow one day, or your devices might act up. Your video call can lag or be cut off, and that can make it harder to focus in your session.
Complex issues require more than online counseling can give. If someone is in crisis or is experiencing serious mental health issues, online therapy might not work out for them. Direct treatment in those situations is often recommended, so it’s important to take that into account.
Benefits of In-Person Counseling
Your therapy can feel more personal. With a face-to-face session, you’re able to connect with your therapist better. You’re more likely to trust your therapist when your face to face as well. Trust and confidence in your relationship with your therapist can make the sessions go smoother than they do online.
Your privacy won’t be called into question. You might be hesitant to want to share personal and private information over the internet. Video calls can sometimes feel very public. While online video therapy still must adhere to HIPAA laws, it can still feel uncomfortable. With an in-person session, there’s a guarantee that it’s just you and your counselor who know your private thoughts.
Cons of In-Person Counseling
Your schedule might not be as flexible. Going to and from your sessions can take time away from your schedule, which can cause stress. It might be hard to get in the mindset to be in therapy if you’re worried about commute issues. Wait times in person can also delay your sessions.
The stigma around mental health care might discourage you. If you’re getting into therapy, the thought of someone catching you on the way there might make you uncomfortable. The negative stigmas around therapy are still alive and well, and this can deter people from physically going. You might then feel uncomfortable talking very vulnerably to a professional face-to-face for the first time. There’s also the fear of judgment that can come from others.
Contact New Perspectives Therapeutic Services for online or in-person counseling.
Whatever your situation, in-person and online counseling can be used to your benefit. New Perspectives Therapeutic Services can provide both options to suit your needs. So, whether you like the accessibility of video or the deeper connection in person, contact New Perspectives Therapeutic Services.
Nigeria McHellon, MSW, LCSW
Email me at: nm.newperspectivestherapy@gmail.com
Call or Text me at: (904) 439-6524
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New Perspectives Therapeutic Services: Ways to Participate in Mental Health Awareness Month
By Lindsay Parkoo
In times of stress, it’s important to take a moment to check in with yourself and your mental health. So much so that there’s an entire month dedicated to it. Mental Health Awareness Month is a national movement to support those with mental issues. It’s a special month to remind yourself that you’re not alone.
You’re especially not alone when New Perspectives Therapeutics Services is with you every step of the way.
New Perspectives Therapeutic Services is proud to support Mental Health Awareness Month. Clinical Director and counselor Nigeria McHellon ensures that clients will be supported through whatever they’re going through. Various therapeutic approaches are utilized to help you obtain good mental health. Whether you have anxiety, depression, PTSD, or self-esteem issues, there is a method that can help you this May.
Speaking of which, what exactly is mental health awareness month?
What is Mental Health Awareness Month?
Mental Health Awareness Month is a national movement that happens in May. It’s been observed since 1949 in the United States and is celebrated with local events, media events, and screenings. For the entire month of May, it’s meant to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and mental illness. The movement is also meant to destigmatize mental health so that people learn to care about their mental well-being.
Here are some ways to raise awareness and participate in Mental Health Awareness Month.
How to Participate in Mental Health Awareness Month.
Educate Yourself
This is the perfect time to learn about mental health practices and illnesses. There are plenty of books and infographics put out by national organizations that teach about mental health topics. Maybe find a counselor who’d be willing to talk to you. Understanding mental illness will help you build empathy and advocacy for the people who suffer from it. This can be where you can address any biases you have about therapy, mental health, and mental illnesses. By learning about the lives of those who deal with mental illnesses, you’ll be able to overcome prejudices. Being knowledgeable will, in turn, help you be a better advocate.
Work on Self-Care
Your self-care plays a big role in your mental health. Implementing good self-care habits helps ease stress in your life. Common habits can be choosing to eat healthily, go to sleep early, or do activities you like. Another can be to journal your thoughts and experiences. Doing so can help you look inward and develop empathy for your struggle. Practicing self-care habits when needed also helps when you’re burnt out or exhausted in your routine. It’s just important to find a healthy activity that recharges you.
Support Mental Health Organizations
There are many organizations out there that actively push for mental health advocacy that you can help with. You can volunteer at local organizations or donate to their efforts. Even the people in your communities might want to share their experiences with you.
Support Friends and Loved Ones
Mental Health Awareness Month can be a time to focus on your relationships with people you care about. Mental struggle is not easy to see, so it’s important to reach out to your loved ones. Let them know that you’re there for them. Be aware of them, and don’t be afraid to talk about what they might be going through. You’ll be building a better foundation with them in the process. While it’s not your job to “fix” people, it can mean a lot to know they can trust you.
If what you’re doing is positive and healthy for you, participating in Mental Health Awareness Month will be rewarding.
Celebrate Mental Health Awareness with New Perspectives Therapeutic Services
Mental health isn’t something that’s to be taken lightly. Letting mental issues go unchecked leads to more problems down the road. That’s why mental health awareness is so important, and New Perspectives Therapeutic Services is dedicated to that for clients. Look for counseling nearby for you and a loved one and start that journey to stability. The benefits will be well worth it.
To learn of more ways to get involved in this year’s Mental Health Awareness month, find support at New Perspectives Therapeutic Service.
Nigeria McHellon, MSW, LCSW
Email me at: nm.newperspectivestherapy@gmail.com
Call or Text me at: (904) 439-6524
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Project New Perspective Collaboration – Sponsorship and Scholarships
By Syd Sukalski
Coping with mental illness can be difficult, and getting treatment from a licensed therapist is extremely important. However, not everyone can afford treatment and doesn’t attend. Foregoing treatment for certain types of mental illness can be life-threatening, and it’s terrible that the contents of a person’s wallet can play so heavily into whether they seek help. Project New Perspective believes we can assist people who need therapy but cannot afford it and put them on a path to better mental health. In this article, we’ll discuss Project New Perspective, how it works, and how it plans to incite change.
But first, let us introduce ourselves.
New Perspective Therapeutic Services uses successfully proven therapeutic approaches to help our patients improve their mental health. We offer all types of therapy, from individual sessions to marriage counseling, online video therapy, to family counseling nearby. If you or your loved ones are seeking a counselor near you, contact us today to set up an appointment. We want to start you on your journey to better mental health.
Now that you know who we are, let’s talk about Project New Perspective and how we believe it can spread awareness and accessibility to mental health care.
What is New Perspective Therapeutic Services’ Project New Perspective?
Project New Perspective is a nonprofit organization led and created by clinical director and licensed counselor Nigeria McHellon. To expand accessibility to mental health care, Nigeria offers a scholarship program for people who need but cannot afford therapy. Her scholarships deliver up to six free therapeutic sessions, during which she will teach its recipients coping strategies and new ways to interact with their surroundings. If you think you may need therapy, but cannot afford it, apply for one of our scholarships today. Donate now if you want to join our mission to help serve diverse communities with free mental healthcare and help us break social stigmas that surround mental health treatment and therapy.
The Vision: How Project New Perspective Wants to Benefit Mental Health
Project New Perspective aims to aid the emotional wellness of our scholarship recipients with mental illness by providing them with mental health services that improve their way of life. Our vision finds its root in our desire to spread awareness about mental health, the necessity of quality mental health services, and accessible treatment for all people.
The Mission: How We Will Apply Our Vision to Benefit Mental Health
Our mission is to make quality mental health services available for the people of our community by spreading awareness and growing support for those who cannot afford them. We want to educate the public and use evidence-based therapeutic approaches to promote mentally healthy lifestyles and improve the mental well-being of our community. To fulfill our mission, we will familiarize the community with the connection between mental and physical wellness, supply programs that support the recovery and resilience of our patients, offer a safe space for healing to occur, and advocate for equal opportunities for access to mental healthcare at state and federal levels by collaborating with key decision makers. To support our mission and to help provide free mental health care for someone who can’t afford it, become a donor today.
How Our Values Will Impact Your Counseling Nearby
Our values are the core beliefs that guide our mission and dictate how we interact with our clients, peers, and stakeholders. First, we believe in individuality, compassion, and respect for all people, no matter their race, economic status, sexual orientation, disability, age, or gender. We provide mental health treatment unburdened by prejudice and support equal opportunities for all individuals.
We also value authenticity and tenacity as we create a safe space to guide individuals and families to better mental health.
Our values find their basis in our understanding that mental health is integral to one’s overall well-being, that our services must fit the community needs, that, by educating people, we can decrease the stigma surrounding mental health treatment, that treatment is vital for those struggling with mental illness, and that we can achieve our goals by creating partnerships with other professionals in the community.
If you believe in our mission and want to help us see it come to fruition, join the Project New Perspective collaboration and donate today to help us provide free mental health care to those who need it.
For more ideas on how to show kindness, find support at New Perspectives Therapeutic Service.
Nigeria McHellon, MSW, LCSW
Email me at: nm.newperspectivestherapy@gmail.com
Call or Text me at: (904) 439-6524
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NPTS Therapeutic Treatment Approaches
By Syd Sukalski
Are you struggling with your mental health? Are you considering seeing a counselor but unsure of how they might be able to help you or what type of therapy you might need? Don’t worry. In this article, we’ll cover all the therapeutic approaches New Perspective Therapeutic Services offers, how each works, and how they might help you overcome your mental health troubles.
But first, let us introduce ourselves.
New Perspective Therapeutic Services wants to help you improve your mental health. We offer treatment for individuals, marriage therapy, family counseling, and online video therapy. If you are struggling, please give us a call. Our clinical director and head counselor, Nigeria McHellon, has extensive experience with all types of therapy and will help you find the one that best suits your needs.
Now, let’s talk about the therapeutic approaches we offer.
How Can Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Improve My Mental Health?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a short-term therapeutic approach for individuals struggling with stress, grief, relationship troubles, and other common life challenges. During Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, your therapist will teach you methods to cope with your problems. The goal is to help you develop new, more beneficial thought patterns, so you can respond to your stressors in healthier ways.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: Counseling Nearby
DBT is a type of CBT that often helps people with mood disorders, who struggle with self-harm or substance abuse, or who need a behavioral change. In addition to teaching patients healthier ways to interact with stressors, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy can show you how to live in the moment, cope with your emotions, and better your relationships with others.
Reality Therapy: Find a Therapist Near Me
Reality Therapy is another form of CBT that strives to help patients improve their relationships with others. This type of therapy avoids talking about the past and focuses on your needs, goals, and connections in the present. Reality therapy intends to help you problem-solve in various aspects of your life, especially in relationships.
Crisis Intervention Therapy: Find a Therapist Near Me
Crisis intervention therapy is on-demand therapy that allows individuals in crisis to talk to their counselor immediately. The goal here is to help stabilize individuals in crisis. This type of therapy is best for people who have thoughts or actions of harming themselves or others. Crisis intervention may also be helpful for those suffering from mental illnesses that induce them to see or hear things that are not there. Crisis intervention focuses on limiting the stress of the event as it takes place. Your therapist will teach you coping strategies as you go, so you can learn to work through distressing or harmful thoughts on your own.
How Can My Counselor Help With Emotion-Focused Therapy
Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) focuses on the healthy way to interact with and act on your feelings. Operating under the theory that humans’ emotions often spur their actions, EFT also theorizes that suppressing emotions or lacking emotional awareness can harm the human psyche.
How Can My Counselor Help With Person-Centered Therapy
During person-centered therapy, you will sit and talk to your counselor. You will do most of the talking, and your therapist will listen and try to understand your thoughts, words, and feelings without judging or analyzing you. Usually, all your therapist will do is restate your words in new ways to comprehend what you’re saying. This type of therapy can help people develop their self-understanding, improve their self-esteem, and ease their feelings of distress.
How Can Solution-Focused Therapy Improve My Mental Health?
Solution-focused therapy, like Reality therapy, avoids discussions of the past and is all about problem-solving in the present, focusing on your current circumstances so you can reach your future goals.
How Can My Counselor Help With Trauma-Focused Therapy
Trauma-focused therapy helps people who have endured a traumatic event and addresses how this event may be impacting various facets of their well-being.
Strength-Based Therapy: Counseling Nearby
During strength-based therapy, rather than focusing on weaknesses, you will focus on your strengths! This positive spin on counseling shows you can be resilient and resourceful when outside problems challenge you. It can also help you view yourself and others in a more positive and realistic light.
Structural Family Therapy: Family Counseling Nearby
Structural Family Therapy (SFT) is a type of family therapy that focuses on your family dynamic rather than blaming one or a few individuals in particular. Certain family members may seem more “at fault” than others, but this isn’t about blame. SFT is about understanding and restructuring your family dynamic, so you and your loved ones can grow closer and restore trust.
Now that you understand a little more about the therapeutic approaches we offer at New Perspective Therapeutic Services, you may have a better idea of which one may be right for you. If not, don’t worry. Give us a call, schedule an appointment online or in person, and we can work together to help you find the path that will work best for you.
For more ideas on how to show kindness, find support at New Perspectives Therapeutic Service.
Nigeria McHellon, MSW, LCSW
Email me at: nm.newperspectivestherapy@gmail.com
Call or Text me at: (904) 439-6524
Find a Therapist in Jacksonville | Find a Counselor in Jacksonville | Find a Therapist in Atlanta or Georgia | Find a Counselor in Texas | Find a Counselor in Delaware
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NPTS Guided Journal
By Syd Sukalski
You’ve heard it: journaling is beneficial to your mental health. It allows you to explore various aspects of your life and learn about yourself. However, journaling can be difficult for people. Many can’t get past that blank page staring them in the face; others don’t know what topics to write about. This dilemma is where a guided journal comes in. New Perspective Therapeutic Services’ guided journal solves your problems with the blank page and can aid you in your journey to better mental health. In this article, we’ll tell you about our guided journal and how it can help you.
But before we talk more about journaling, let us introduce ourselves.
New Perspective Therapeutic Services offers successful therapeutic approaches to help you improve your mental health. Clinical Director and counselor Nigeria McHellon has a wealth of experience in many types of care. She has worked with outpatient clinics, public schools, domestic violence shelters, substance abuse treatment facilities, and The Department of Juvenile Justice; she’s also treated victims of trauma and sexual abuse and served as a Clinician for human trafficking survivors. Any type of care you need, from individual therapy to marriage counseling to video call therapy to family counseling nearby, New Perspective Therapeutic Services can help. So give us a call today to schedule your first appointment, either in person or through online video therapy. We want to help you on your journey to better mental health.
Now, let’s discuss New Perspective Therapeutic Services’ guided journal and how it can help you improve your mental health.
What is New Perspective Therapeutic Services’ Guided Journal?
An ordinary journal contains blank pages you must fill on your own, entirely unprompted. This type of journaling can pose problems for some people because they just don’t know what to write. In addition to definitions and diagrams, New Perspective Therapeutic Services provides daily prompts to shape your responses. These exercises will help you access your thoughts and feelings and put them on the page to learn more about your inner self.
I Need Help From a Licensed Counselor. Is This Journal For Me?
New Perspective Therapeutic Services’ guided journal is not a replacement for a counselor, but contrary to most guided journals, a clinical director and licensed therapist, Nigeria McHellon, created this one. Because a licensed therapist assembled this journal, you will find that its prompts, definitions, and diagrams are much more pertinent and focused on exploring your mental health.
What Mental Health Topics Will My Guided Journal Explore?
Your New Perspective Therapeutic Services’ guided journal delves into various topics that combine to make up your person! It poses questions about your individual life and history and delves into discussing your friendships, romantic relationships, and interactions with your family members. Additionally, New Perspective Therapeutic Services’ guided journal provides a space where you can write about grief and loss, work, activities, and your future. This journal will help you learn more about yourself and the ways you interact with the outside world.
How Can a Guided Journal Help Me With My Mental Health?
Note that this journal is not a replacement for a licensed therapist, but it can help you learn more about yourself. This journal will help you dive deeper into your psyche in tandem with therapeutic services. It can help you identify your thoughts and work through your feelings, so you can better understand why you think and react the way you do. The creator of this guided journal, Clinical Director and licensed therapist Nigeria McHellon, “hope[s] that by the time you work through [it], you have a deeper understanding about the impact of your lived experiences on who you are and who you are becoming.”
New Perspective Therapeutic Services wants to help you improve your mental health. If you are considering therapy but unsure what type you need or want to talk to one of our professionals before you get started, call us today. We offer individual therapy, online video therapy, marriage counseling, and family therapy nearby. Search for a therapist near you to get started.
For more ideas on how to show kindness, find support at New Perspectives Therapeutic Service.
Nigeria McHellon, MSW, LCSW
Email me at: nm.newperspectivestherapy@gmail.com
Call or Text me at: (904) 439-6524
Find a Therapist in Jacksonville | Find a Counselor in Jacksonville | Find a Therapist in Atlanta or Georgia | Find a Counselor in Texas | Find a Counselor in Delaware
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3 Mental Health Issues and How Therapy Can Help You Overcome Them
By Syd Sukalski
Are you struggling with your mental health? Are you considering a counselor but don’t know if or how they’ll be able to help you? If you have never sought therapy, you might not realize how much it can help. Of course, talking about your problems can be incredibly cathartic and beneficial, but a therapist can also prescribe medicine to aid your mental health problems and teach you ways to cope with your troubles outside of therapy. Continue reading this article to learn how our therapists can help you with anxiety, depression, or your relationship.
But first, let us introduce ourselves.
At New Perspective Therapeutic Services, we use widely successful therapeutic approaches to help you improve your mental health. We offer various types of therapy, including individual therapy, couples counseling, online video therapy, and family counseling nearby. So, if you’re looking for mental health assistance in Florida, Georgia, Texas, or Delaware, consider New Perspective Therapeutic Services, where we want to help you on your journey to a fulfilling, purposeful life.
Now, let’s talk about how our counselors can help you.
How Your Counselor Can Help With Your Anxiety
During therapy, while you will speak to your counselor about your anxiety, you may find that you uncover some of your key stressors and reasons for your worries. Your therapist can prescribe you anxiety medicine, but they will also most certainly teach you how to deal with your stressors when you are outside of their office.
Your therapist will teach you breathing exercises, and they will show you how to look at situations in new ways so you can relax a little more easily. In therapy for anxiety, you will also learn new ways to cope and solve problems, so you can eventually move forward without counseling.
Additionally, if you get anxious about going into therapy or if you have never been, New Perspective Therapeutic Services offers online video therapy, so you can call in from the comfort of your home. Many people with anxiety find this a better way to attend therapy because they feel they can talk more openly when they sit in an environment they are familiar with.
How Your Counselor Can Help With Depression
The help that your therapist can provide for depression is similar to that they can provide for anxiety. Your therapist can help you identify the source or causes of your depression, which will help you both determine strategies that will help you cope with the problem. This identification is the goal of depression therapy, but depending on the root of your depression, therapy can be different for everyone. It’s all about finding the best path of treatment and setting goals for yourself as you begin to heal.
Relationship Troubles? Consider Marriage Therapy.
One of the other types of therapy we provide at New Perspective Therapeutic Services is marriage and relationship counseling. You do not have to be married to attend this type of counseling, which can provide help for any couple having problems.
Some of these problems might include repeated arguments or any type of distress related to key life events and major stressors, including having children, a big move, or the passing of a loved one. However, therapy isn’t just for people who are sharing major stressors. Maybe you and your significant other constantly fight about who will do the laundry or where to go for dinner. Maybe, you’re not fighting at all, but you’re going through some loss together, or perhaps you’re having problems in the bedroom.
No matter the case, your therapist will help both of you see each other’s side and learn how to communicate better. Throughout this short-term therapy option, your therapist will teach you ways to cope with your anger or distress and work together to build a better, more trusting relationship.
New Perspective Therapeutic Services offers many types of therapy for lots of different mental illnesses. If you need help or are interested in setting up a therapy session, check out our website or call us.
For more ideas on how to show kindness, find support at New Perspectives Therapeutic Service.
Nigeria McHellon, MSW, LCSW
Email me at: nm.newperspectivestherapy@gmail.com
Call or Text me at: (904) 439-6524
Find a Therapist in Jacksonville | Find a Counselor in Jacksonville | Find a Therapist in Atlanta or Georgia | Find a Counselor in Texas | Find a Counselor in Delaware
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What are the Benefits of Seeing a Licensed Therapist in DE, TX, FL, and GA?
By Syd Sukalski
Coping with mental health can be difficult. Maybe you find yourself trying to ignore the problem. Perhaps you’re attempting to manage it on your own. Possibly you rely on your loved ones to lend an ear and help you with your troubles. Ignoring the problem won’t get you anywhere. Coping alone can be difficult and unrealistic because you may not know how to help yourself. Friends and loved ones might not be able to help much either, and you may find that you’re overwhelming them or causing them to worry about you the more you share.
If you are struggling with your mental health, if you think you may have depression, anxiety, or some other mental illness, the best thing you can do is to see a licensed therapist. We understand you may be hesitant to take this step. Maybe you think it will make people treat you differently, or you’re afraid to ask for help. But really, a licensed therapist will be the best thing for you. In this article, we will talk about licensed therapists, who they are, who they help, and how seeing one can help benefit your current situation.
But first, let us introduce ourselves.
New Perspective Therapeutic Services wants to help you with your mental health needs. Clinical Director and counselor Nigeria McHellon uses successful therapeutic approaches to help you improve your mental health and find your path in life. We have you covered from individual online video therapy to marriage counseling to family therapy. Check out our therapeutic offices in Delaware, Texas, Florida, and Georgia to get started.
Now, let’s discuss licensed therapists.
What is a Licensed Therapist? Who Can She Help?
Licensed therapists achieve high levels of education and experience because they want to help you attain better mental health. From earning their Master’s Degree to completing various internships to passing the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam, your licensed therapist is highly qualified to treat you. In addition, Clinical Director and counselor Nigeria McHellon of New Perspective Therapeutic Services has vast experience and has worked with children, families, couples, adolescents, trauma, and sexual assault victims. When you come to New Perspective Therapeutic Services, understand that you will receive the best treatment. To learn more about Clinical Director and counselor Nigeria McHellon, check out her “About Me” page on the New Perspective Therapeutic Services website.
Now, let’s discuss some benefits of seeing a licensed therapist.
A Licensed Therapist Must Adhere to Confidentiality and Ethical Rules
Every licensed counselor and therapist must observe a set of rules. Among these rules is a confidentiality agreement. Anything you say while you are in session with your counselor will remain private. Only a few legal exceptions amend this rule. But, if your counselor were to disclose anything you discussed to an outside party, they could lose their license. Like others that describe the appropriate therapist-patient relationship, this rule protects you and helps make you feel safe with your therapist. Confidentiality rules ensure that your discussions with your therapist are private and won’t find their way to anyone other than you two. Both confidentiality and ethical rules can help you trust your therapist, allowing you to become more open while in session. The more open you are, the more your therapist can help you.
Friends Are Great, but Your Counselor is Trained to Help You
Maybe you are someone who finds themself talking to their friends about their mental health problems. While openness about mental health is good, it can be overwhelming for friends and loved ones to play therapist. And, even if they don’t find themselves getting overwhelmed, the chances that they can help you much beyond offering support is slim. Don’t get us wrong, supportive families and groups of friends are amazing, but the fact is, your friends and family are not likely trained in dealing with mental health problems. Therapists study extensively to obtain their licenses, and they learn a lot along the way! A licensed therapist knows how to help you. They can offer you exercises and coping strategies to help you help yourself. They know the therapeutic approaches which may help you achieve your mental health goals.
You Can Attend Individual Therapy, Marriage Counseling, or Family Counseling Nearby
Therapy is not just for the individual. At New Perspective Therapeutic Services, we offer all types of therapy, including but not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, marriage counseling, and family counseling nearby. These forms of therapy can help you in all sorts of ways. By the end, you may find that you have more ways to cope with your troubles; you will learn strategies to help you ease your emotions when you’re upset; you may discover you’re a better friend, communicator, and employee. All types of therapy can help you achieve these effects. You just need a licensed therapist to help show you the way.
For more ideas on how to show kindness, find support at New Perspectives Therapeutic Service.
Nigeria McHellon, MSW, LCSW
Email me at: nm.newperspectivestherapy@gmail.com
Call or Text me at: (904) 439-6524
Find a Therapist in Jacksonville | Find a Counselor in Jacksonville | Find a Therapist in Atlanta or Georgia | Find a Counselor in Texas | Find a Counselor in Delaware
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Do I Need a Therapist?
By Syd Sukalski
Are you struggling with your mental health? Maybe you don’t even know that you are, but something feels off. If this is you, you might wonder whether or not you should see a therapist or counselor. Would they even be able to help you? Is your problem big enough to necessitate therapy? Well, today, we’ll talk about all of this and more. We’ll teach you what a licensed therapist is and help you understand some indicators that you might benefit from a counselor.
But, before we begin, let us introduce ourselves.
At New Perspective Therapeutic Services, we want to help you improve your mental health. Clinical Director and counselor Nigeria McHellen implements successful therapeutic approaches to help her patients find happiness and purpose in life. New Perspective Therapeutic Services provides various types of therapy, including but not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, marriage counseling, video call therapy, and family counseling nearby. If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment, please don’t hesitate to call.
Now, let’s talk about mental health.
What is a Licensed Therapist?
A licensed therapist attains high levels of education and experience to treat your mental health problems. They help you learn coping skills, communication skills, and calming exercises. Licensed therapists must follow a series of rules and regulations which help protect you and the information you disclose to them in your sessions. Among these is the doctor-patient confidentiality agreement, which your doctor could lose their license for violating. But, overall, a licensed therapist wants to help you improve your mental health and is qualified to do so. Your friends and family members may be excellent listeners, and while a compassionate support system is a great thing to have, your loved ones are likely unable to help you in the same way a licensed therapist could. Mental well-being is their specialty!
If you’re unsure whether you should see a licensed therapist, keep reading. We’ll discuss possible reasons people might see a therapist.
Tired and Fatigued? Consider Seeing a Counselor
Fatigue. It can sometimes make it difficult to get out of bed in the morning. It can also be a sign of depression. If you find yourself constantly groggy and struggling to rise, you might consider why you struggle to wake up in the morning. Consider seeing a licensed therapist if you find yourself continuously tired and lethargic.
Overwhelmed and Anxious? Consider Online Video Therapy
Stress is a common factor in our lives, but it can sometimes feel like it’s just too much. Work, school, kids, taking care of an ailing loved one: many things in our lives that cause stress. It can all get overwhelming. However, therapy can help you cope with these stressors and potentially help you see or interact with them in a way that is not so detrimental to your mental health. Intrusive thoughts are another reason you might see a therapist. Worrying is typical, but if your worries begin to consume a large portion of your daily thoughts or even induce a physical response from your body, you could benefit from talking to a licensed professional.
Extreme Anger or Violent Emotions? Consider Counseling Nearby
Emotions can be difficult to cope with, but they are characteristically ever-changing. Holding onto certain emotions, like sadness or anger, for an extended period might be a good reason to see a therapist. Retaining these emotions is not healthy, and you want to be able to release them so you can enjoy your life. Violent emotions are another reason to seek counseling. If you find that you get extremely angry about relatively small matters or if your anger compels you to harm yourself or others around you, seeking treatment is an excellent option. Your therapist will listen to what you say and teach you how to cope with your emotions.
Finding Yourself Withdrawing Socially? Consider Seeing a Counselor
Socially alienating oneself can be a sign of depression. If you feel removed from social situations or find yourself pushing your friends away without any explanation, think about your mental health. Attending therapy can help you work through your feelings and may help you cope with your depression.
Feeling Hopeless? See a Counselor Today
Hopelessness is another symptom of depression, and it may manifest through tiredness, fatigue, and lack of motivation. You may also ruminate on a lack of direction or future, questioning the point of doing anything. Hopelessness may surface now and then, just like most other feelings, but if it endures, it might be time to seek help because hopelessness may lead to suicidal thoughts or actions. A therapist wants to listen, hear your problems, and help you through them. They can be there for you whenever you need them. They want to help you find purpose and happiness in your life.
For more ideas on how to show kindness, find support at New Perspectives Therapeutic Service.
Nigeria McHellon, MSW, LCSW
Email me at: nm.newperspectivestherapy@gmail.com
Call or Text me at: (904) 439-6524
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Black Mental Health Matters: Therapy in the Black Community
By Syd Sukalski
February is Black History Month, a time when, as a country, we reflect on and honor the contributions African American people have made and continue to make to our nation. This month, we celebrate people like Rosa Parks, Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., and so many others who fought for their rights as Americans.
Not everyone knows this, but because of some documents that surfaced years ago, many believe that Martin Luther King might have suffered from depression and suicidal tendencies, though he was never officially diagnosed.
To honor him during Black History Month, today we’ll talk about Black Mental Health, what it is, and why it matters. We will also discuss some of the stigmas Black Americans might face when considering treatment or talking publicly about mental health. Then, we will wrap things up by discussing the benefits of seeking counseling nearby.
But, before we begin, let us introduce ourselves.
New Perspective Therapeutic Services wants to help you with your mental health. Clinical Director and counselor Nigeria McHellon uses evidence-based therapeutic approaches to help people who need marriage counseling, individual counseling, online video therapy, or family counseling nearby.
Nigeria’s experience is extensive, but she specializes in treating Black Americans and people from other racial and ethnic backgrounds. New Perspective Therapeutic Services is a Black-owed, woman-owned business that focuses on Black Mental Health. Nigeria is a culturally competent therapist who admires and respects “one’s cultural background, gender identity, sexual orientation, and spirituality” (1).
Now, let’s talk about Black Mental Health.
What is Mental Health?
Black Mental Health provides therapeutic services and approaches from a Black or culturally competent perspective. For instance, your mental health professional should evaluate how your family, community, and faith play into your mental state. They should understand how history, the media, and current issues like microaggressions and systematic racism may affect you and your condition.
What Does Mental Health Look Like in the Black Community?
Depression and other mental illnesses are just as common in the Black population as in any other. The difference is far fewer Black Americans either seek or receive help when they need it. This deficit has many roots. One root is the widespread stigma around mental illness in the Black American community, but another is that, unfortunately, a large percentage of Black Americans are without health care.
What Stigmas Might I Face If I See a Counselor Nearby?
One of the most significant reasons that not as many Black Americans seek mental health treatment when they need it has a lot to do with the stigma of mental illness in the African American community. Some studies trace this stigma back to slavery.
During the times of slavery, when African American people faced dehumanization and constant oppression, some thought that enslaved people were not advanced enough to develop mental illnesses. Thus, misconceptions about what was going on began to take root. Black Americans began describing their conditions as stress or tiredness when that’s not all it was. These habits run through generations of Black Americans, and still, today, it’s extremely common for people, especially Black Americans, to misidentify their depression or anxiety as tiredness or stress.
However, this misidentification is more damaging than just getting the wrong definition of what’s happening in your head. It reduces mental illness to a minor concern. As such, it is more common in Black American households for mental illness to bear the stigma of personal weakness. Thus, it can be easy to underestimate some of the effects of mental health conditions.
But don’t let these stigmas keep you from therapy. It may be hard to explain to others, especially if they don’t see mental health as a serious issue. However, getting the help you need should always come first, and you may be able to help others around you understand mental health and not be afraid of it. But, first of all, you want to help yourself, and the best way to do that is to obtain treatment.
The Benefits of Seeking Mental Health Counseling
For anyone, the benefits of seeking mental health counseling can be huge. In therapy sessions, you will learn a lot about yourself and how to interact with the world. You may learn coping mechanisms and better communication skills; you can open up new ways of looking at the world.
Every type of therapy has its perks, but the goal is always to help you interact with yourself and others in the healthiest way possible. At New Perspective Therapeutic Services, we want to help you improve your mental health, but we also want to help you find purpose in your life. We want to help you find your healthiest life and interact well with the world around you.
If you are considering marriage counseling or individual therapy, contact us at New Perspective Therapeutic Services. We specialize in Black Mental Health. Additionally, if you are nervous about attending therapy, consider online counseling. This option can be an excellent choice if you are anxious about coming in or feel safer attending from your own home. New Perspective Therapeutic Services wants to help you on your journey to better mental health.
For more ideas on how to show kindness, find support at New Perspectives Therapeutic Service.
Nigeria McHellon, MSW, LCSW
Email me at: nm.newperspectivestherapy@gmail.com
Call or Text me at: (904) 439-6524
Find a Therapist in Jacksonville | Find a Counselor in Jacksonville | Find a Therapist in Atlanta or Georgia | Find a Counselor in Texas | Find a Counselor in Delaware
View our latest post on Instagram and follow us on Facebook.
New Perspectives Therapeutic Services 