Mental Health Therapies

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• QShould spirituality be integrated in the treatment of mental illness?

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  A International Bipolar Foundation answered

  We still face the long-standing conflict between faith and science. The scientific medical model looks for a cure. The emphasis is on finding answers and the relief of symptoms. As we know, many times there is not a cure.
  
  Healing is the peace that comes from knowing that God is working in our lives to bring about the best possible outcome, which is healing mind, body and spirit. This sense of peace and wholeness are gifts from a loving and compassionate God, even as we learn to live with mental illness. The challenge we face today is not the choice between faith and science. We need both. For decades, professional training programs have discouraged discussion of religion or spirituality with clients, as it was thought to foster delusions. Publicly funded programs must be careful not to promote specific religious traditions.
  
  Incidents of discrimination or violence based on religious beliefs can create more fear. There is a mistrust of those concepts and processes that are more difficult to measure. But things are gradually changing as studies find that spirituality can be an important part of the treatment and recovery process and spiritual assessment tools are being developed for mental health professionals. We need to continue to find ways to encourage collaboration and partnership that includes a myriad of support systems.
  
  The President's New Freedom Report on Mental Healthcare in America states that our current delivery system for mental health services is in shambles and only a total "transformation" of the system will benefit consumers. From a theological perspective, transformation refers to a spiritual process of growth and change. The commission for this report, which was made up of some of the most respected mental health professionals in America, asks for more coordination of services and providing treatment through community-based groups rather than institutions. It also calls for assisting persons to reintegrate into being successful and productive members of society through such means as job training and community support. Our faith communities can be an integral part of this process. The goal is recovery! Recovery is a process rather than a completed goal. Instead of using our resources to focus on the results of mental illnesses, the New Freedom Report encourages using resources for lifelong assessment and treatment.
• QWhat is peer support for people with mental illness?

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  A Tina Whitlock , Fitness, answered

  A peer support is someone who has progressed in their own recovery from mental illness and or addiction and who is willing to disclose their life experiences to guide and empower others in their own recovery.  Peer support is the evidence that recovery is possible.

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• QWhen should I get counseling?

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  A Stephanie Adams , Social Work, answered on behalf of TherapyLiveCare

  When something's not working in your car, you take it to the mechanic. When something's not working in your life situation, you take yourself in to the counselor! A counselor is simply an ordinary person who has received special training in working through life's problems and can give you tools to overcome what you're dealing with! Which means if you're having a struggle and you don't know what to do next, that is the perfect time to seek out a counselor.
  Counseling can also be helpful even when something's not necessarily "wrong" - but maybe when you just want something to be more healthy than it is now. This might be your marriage, your career, your relationship with your family, or more. Our job as counselors is to help you with whatever you bring into us.
  If you're at the point where you're ready to commit to changing something in your life or about your life, then that's when you should get counseling.

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• QWhat happens during counseling?

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  A Richard Walsh , Social Work, answered on behalf of TherapyLiveCare

  Counseling begins with a thorough evaluation often referred to as a Bio-Psychosocial Assessment. During the assessment questions about problems and symptoms are asked as well as medical conditions, developmental history. Also questions about work, school, social activities, support systems, spirituality, addictions, traumas, and losses will typically be explored. After the assessment you and your counselor will discuss the findings from the assessment and you will decide on the issues you want to work on in you counseling sessions. Over time an issue may be resolved and new issue may come up. Counseling is a dynamic process. It's important that you feel comfortable with your counselor and are able to openly discuss whatever comes up for you. Counselors are trained to be accepting and non-judgmental, having your best interests foremost.

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• QWhat is applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy?

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  A The Dan Marino Foundation answered

  Applied Behavior Analysis refers to the direct application of the principles of behavior modification in natural environments such as home, school, and community. ABA uses behavioral principles to improve the individual’s ability to participate effectively in various situations.
  
  Source: Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD)
• QHow can community support help a person with mental illness?

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  A Dr. Aditya Sharma, MD , Psychiatry, answered on behalf of Medical City McKinney

  For any successful mental health treatment, the basic component is a close relationship with providers. You’ll need the ability to contact them during a crisis, but another component is having resources in community. Know if there are places to screen for being a danger to others or options for hospitalization. In times of increased stress, know about more intensive options like day hospitals and intensive outpatient programs. Suicide hotlines can help. There are a variety of resources but not all communities have them.

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• QWhat is collaborative care?

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  A World Federation For Mental Health (WFMH) answered

  Collaborative care is an integrated health care model in which physical health and mental health providers partner to manage the treatment of mild to moderate psychiatric disorders and stable severe psychiatric disorders in the primary care setting.
  
  The bulk of research on collaborative care models has focused on the treatment of depression. However, emerging research has found the collaborative care approach to be useful with other diagnoses, and collaborative care experts agree that it can be useful in treating many types of mild to moderate psychiatric disorders or stable severe psychiatric disorders in the primary care setting.
• QCan a psychiatric nurse practitioner prescribe medication?

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  A Ms. Marcia Starkman , Advanced Practice Nursing, answered on behalf of TherapyLiveCare

  In an inpatient behavioral health facility, licensed psychiatric nurses (RNs with or without degrees) are trained and qualified to provide individual and group mental health therapy 24/7. The give medication as ordered by a physician.
  Some also work in outpatient clinics and do the same thing.
  
  Advanced practice master's level psychiatric nurses may be Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Psychotherapists (like myself), or Nurse Practitioners. Depending on the state where they are licensed, they may or may not be able to prescribe medication. They are employed in a variety of settings–hospitals, clinics, and private/independent practice. They are qualified to provide individual, couple, family, and group therapy. They may use many modalities (depending on their education and training) like insight oriented, cognitive-behavioral, EMDR, hypnosis, solution focused therapy and art therapy.
  
  All psychiatric nurses approach mental health therapy in a systematic and holistic manner. They "take into account" not only a person's emotional status, but also their physical well being, spiritual needs, and surrounding support.

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• QWhen should I see a doctor for mental health therapy?

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  A Dr. Sudeepta Varma, MD , Psychiatry, answered

  Most of us will have days when our mood is low or times when we feel a bit worried-perhaps a family member is ill, or we’ve recently lost our job. Most of us will have normal concerns about a wide variety of issues –finances, health and family. But we should not feel overly burdened or overwhelmed by them to the point that it starts affecting other aspects of our lives- for example, we start to notice that the stress in our life is causing a change in our sleep patterns- we are having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. We are feeling more tired than usual or perhaps we’re not spending as much time with friends or family anymore. Some of my patients tend to avoid socializing- “it’s too much effort” or have stopped going to the gym. Perhaps you feel feel restless, keyed up, on edge. People around you have noticed that your more irritable or not as pleasant to be around. Maybe we have a lot of muscle tightness or difficulty relaxing. We may start having certain unexplained medical symptoms- such as chronic aches, pains, headaches, stomach or intestinal problems despite having thorough medical work up. If you are noticing any of these changes- it is worthwhile discussing your mental health with your doctor. He or she can help assess an underlying issue with depression or anxiety or refer you to someone who can. Social anxiety, major depressive disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder may often present with some general issues of anxiety or low mood and can be treated with good success rates with a combination of medication and talk therapy.

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• QWhat types of therapy can help treat a person who wants to commit suicide?

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  A World Federation For Mental Health (WFMH) answered

  Therapy can be effective to address suicide ideation. One type of therapy is called cognitive behavioral therapy. This therapy involves challenging and changing the person's beliefs through talk therapy directed specifically at suicide ideation. Cognitive therapy is also used to alleviate depression.
  
  A less formal therapy is having someone listen and give the individual sufficient time and space to share their emotions, being non-intrusive and non-judgmental in the therapeutic approach.
  
  Interpersonal therapy addresses communications skills and helps people express and understand themselves better in their relationships with family and friends.