How Do You Recover From Emotional and Psychological Trauma?

Sometimes memories are delightful and bring you joy and comfort. Other times, they’re dark and stressful. Some memories are so severe and traumatic that they deeply affect you and your daily life. Traumatic experiences can cause an emotional or psychological response, making life difficult. Emotional and psychological trauma recovery is possible for a better, brighter future. A mental health professional can help you process your trauma and start healing.

Emotional and Psychological Trauma Explained

How do you know if you’re traumatized? Understanding emotional and psychological trauma is perhaps the first step to healing. Understanding how trauma can impact you and alter how your brain and body automatically respond to the world around you is essential.

“Understanding trauma and how your mind and body respond to it can help you better understand why things are happening to you and in your life,” said Sheena Miller, MA, LPC, MHSP, Clinical Manager at Integrative Life Center. “The trauma you experienced isn’t your fault, and your natural responses to it also are out of your control. It’s what you do next after recognizing symptoms of emotional trauma that helps restore your power and self efficacy.” 

Emotional trauma is your body’s response to an extraordinarily stressful event, experience, or set of recurring experiences that leaves you stuck in a place that can affect your mental health and overall well-being. 

Traumatic experiences include:

• Physical and sexual assault
• Domestic violence
• Abuse
• Neglect
• Emotional abuse
• Loss of a loved one
• Natural disasters
• Military combat
• Serious accidents and injuries – such as a car crash
• Ongoing stress – caused by chronic illness, racism, bullying, homelessness, etc

Trauma impacts people differently, so each person can respond differently, even to the same happening. Still, trauma can have a significant impact on self.

Common signs of emotional trauma: 

• Feeling anxious or continuously stressed
• Depression
• Flashbacks or nightmares about the traumatic event
• Being distrusting of others
• Numbness or disconnection
• Shock
• Denial
• Guilt or shame
• Anger
• Extreme mood swings
• Fear or consistent feelings of being unsafe
• Feeling like you’re re-experiencing or reliving the trauma
• Relationship and attachment difficulties
• Feelings of loneliness and isolation
• Suicidal thoughts

When left untreated, emotional trauma can significantly impact your ability to function and your overall quality of life. 

“Trauma shatters a person’s sense of safety. The goal of trauma treatment is to help that person re-establish safety and trust, so they can feel in control of themselves and their life again,” Sheena said.

What Not to Do While Experiencing the Effects of Trauma

When you experience emotional trauma, you may not understand what’s happening. You just know you’re having trouble dealing with life’s stressors, and sometimes your responses to situations may seem extreme. When you feel this way, you do whatever you can to cope with your emotions. But sometimes, the coping methods people choose may exacerbate the issues.

When experiencing emotional trauma, avoid: 

• Isolating. Surround yourself with loved ones who support you and positively impact your healing journey. Don’t allow yourself to segregate away from those who love and care for you and your success. Trauma can already make you feel alone, so isolating yourself may confirm this feeling. 

• Bottling Up Feelings. Your feelings are valid. Share your negative or positive feelings with someone you can trust. Talking about the traumatic experience and how you feel after it, is critical to healing.

• Ignoring Symptoms. Recognizing emotional trauma in yourself is difficult. But it’s important that you don’t ignore the symptoms. Allow yourself to be vulnerable with a trusted individual or a mental health professional and share what you are feeling. 
• Using Alcohol or Substances to Cope. Many people turn to substances to cope with trauma symptoms. Unfortunately, these adverse coping methods can create long-term physical effects on your mind and body and can result in addiction. 

“Many people don’t understand what’s happening to them when they experience emotional trauma,” Sheena stated. “They may not recognize that what happened to them was traumatic or they don’t even remember the traumatic event. So, they try to cope with their feelings in any way that helps them. Unfortunately, this approach often leads to adverse coping methods that can create other problems, like addiction or compulsive behaviors.” 

Navigating Emotional and Psychological Trauma Recovery

Some actions allow you to feel more in control of your healing journey. These coping strategies can help when times are difficult, lonely, or emotional. Using these methods can positively impact you by assisting you in re-establishing safety and control in your life. 

Positive coping strategies include:

• Being Patient With Yourself. Coping with trauma is challenging. Remember to be kind and patient with yourself as you take the necessary steps. 

• Confronting Feelings. Feelings can be wonderful and complex, but opening up and sharing those feelings can deepen friendships and help you feel less lonely. 

• Establishing a Healthy Routine. Your body and mind are connected, so what affects one also impacts the other. Establishing health routines can help you as you heal from emotional trauma. A healthy routine means getting plenty of sleep, eating nourishing food, and moving your body every day.

• Making Time for Relaxation. Find things you enjoy, like reading a book, playing with pets, or creating art that allow you to focus on joy and help you relax. Give yourself the freedom to discover new activities you might not have considered. 

• Talking to Loved Ones. You don’t have to face this difficult path alone. Open up and share with people you trust, and allow them a chance to support you and your healing journey. Having someone to talk with can greatly improve your stress levels. Being around others can lift your spirits even if you don’t talk about the trauma. 
• Seeking Professional Help. If you have symptoms of emotional trauma, you may want to seek help from a mental health professional. They can guide you as you heal from what happened to you. 

“Emotional trauma is unlikely to disappear or go away on its own,” Sheena said. “You need professional mental health support to guide you through identifying, understanding, and processing what happened to you. Only then can you truly begin to heal.”

Treatments for Trauma

Finding the right treatment for trauma means understanding what trauma treatment can include and exploring your options to determine what might work best for you. There are many therapeutic techniques, some even specifically designed for trauma treatment. While you can’t recover fully from trauma, you can learn how to process your feelings surrounding the trauma and heal.

Common trauma treatments to consider:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT is a type of talk therapy that involves identifying and challenging unhelpful thoughts. CBT can help you develop healthy coping strategies to reduce symptoms.
• Exposure Therapy. This therapy can help you face trauma by exposing you to the source of your fears in a safe, controlled environment. Exposure can help you break your pattern of avoidance and eventually overcome these fears.
• EMDR. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing uses eye movements or other forms of rhythmic, left-right stimulation to treat trauma. The survivor focuses on an upsetting memory while following a therapist’s hand or a light as it moves back and forth. This approach helps the person reprocess the memory in a new way.
• Brainspotting. Brainspotting works by identifying, processing, and releasing core neurophysiological sources of trauma. A practitioner will guide your eye movements until physical signals reveal a brain spot. The aim is to identify trauma by examining how it manifests in your body. Focusing on each brain spot, your mind must deal with trauma and begin healing.

These are just some of the treatments available through a credible mental health professional dedicated to trauma recovery. 

Emotional and Psychological Trauma Recovery at ILC

Emotional and psychological trauma recovery might seem challenging but with the right mental health professional and treatment plan, you can overcome trauma and live your most authentic life. Trauma treatment at Integrative Life Center can help you. Contact ILC to begin your healing journey. 

The post How Do You Recover From Emotional and Psychological Trauma? appeared first on Integrative Life Center.

source https://integrativelifecenter.com/how-do-you-recover-from-emotional-and-psychological-trauma/

Healing the Scars of Trauma: A Guide to Trauma Treatment

 Trauma can be defined as a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that leaves a lasting impact on an individual. It can take many forms, from physical abuse to emotional neglect, and can lead to a range of negative symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Fortunately, there are various effective trauma treatments available for those who have suffered from trauma, and with the right approach, it is possible to overcome its effects and move forward in life.

"Trauma Treatment Approaches: Finding the Right Fit"

There are many different approaches to trauma treatment, and the right one for you will depend on a number of factors, including the type and severity of your trauma, your personal preferences, and the resources available to you. Some of the most commonly used approaches include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

• Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)

• Prolonged exposure therapy

• Somatic experiencing

• Medication-assisted treatment

"Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Trauma Treatment"

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a type of talk therapy that aims to help individuals understand and change the negative thoughts and behaviors that result from trauma. It focuses on the present moment and helps individuals identify and challenge distorted thinking patterns, replace them with healthier thoughts, and learn new coping strategies. CBT can be delivered in individual or group therapy sessions and is often used in conjunction with other forms of trauma treatment.

"Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for Trauma Treatment"

EMDR is a type of therapy that combines elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy with eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation. The theory behind EMDR is that the eye movements help to process and integrate traumatic memories, leading to a reduction in symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. EMDR is typically delivered in individual therapy sessions and can be a highly effective form of trauma treatment for some individuals.

"Trauma-focused Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for Trauma Treatment"

TF-CBT is a specific form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that has been specifically designed for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. It combines elements of CBT with other therapeutic techniques to help children and adolescents process and overcome the effects of trauma. TF-CBT can be delivered in individual or group therapy sessions and may also involve the involvement of parents or caretakers.

"Prolonged Exposure Therapy for Trauma Treatment"

Prolonged exposure therapy is a type of behavioral therapy that involves gradually confronting and revisiting traumatic memories in a safe and controlled environment. The aim is to help individuals process and overcome their fears and anxieties related to the trauma, leading to a reduction in symptoms such as PTSD. Prolonged exposure therapy is typically delivered in individual therapy sessions and may involve the use of imaginal exposure (thinking about the trauma) and in vivo exposure (gradually facing real-life triggers related to the trauma).

"Somatic Experiencing for Trauma Treatment"

Somatic experiencing is a type of therapy that focuses on the body's natural ability to heal from traumatic experiences. It involves helping individuals become more aware of and attuned to their physical sensations, and using that awareness to process and integrate traumatic memories. This approach emphasizes the importance of physical sensations in the healing process and aims to resolve the effects of trauma that are stored in the body. Somatic experiencing is typically delivered in individual therapy sessions and may involve gentle touch, guided breathing exercises, and other techniques to help individuals connect with their bodies and process traumatic memories.

"Medication-assisted Treatment for Trauma"

In some cases, medication may be used in conjunction with other forms of trauma treatment to manage symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and other types of psychotropics may be prescribed to help individuals cope with the effects of trauma. It is important to remember that medication is not a substitute for therapy and should only be used in conjunction with a comprehensive treatment plan that includes therapy and other forms of support.

FAQs:

Q. What is trauma treatment?

A. Trauma treatment is a form of therapy or medical intervention designed to help individuals overcome the negative effects of traumatic experiences. There are many different forms of trauma treatment available, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), prolonged exposure therapy, somatic experiencing, and medication-assisted treatment.

Q. What are the different types of trauma treatment?

A. The different types of trauma treatment include cognitive-behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), prolonged exposure therapy, somatic experiencing, and medication-assisted treatment. The right approach for you will depend on the type and severity of your trauma, your personal preferences, and the resources available to you.

Q. Is trauma treatment effective?

A. Yes, trauma treatment can be highly effective for many individuals who have suffered from traumatic experiences. With the right approach, it is possible to overcome the negative effects of trauma and move forward in life.

Conclusion:

Trauma can be a deeply distressing and life-altering experience, but at Integrative Life Center in Nashville, TN, we believe that with the right approach, it is possible to overcome its effects and move forward in life. Our team of experienced therapists utilizes a range of evidence-based treatments, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), prolonged exposure therapy, somatic experiencing, and medication-assisted treatment, to help individuals heal from the scars of trauma.

At Integrative Life Center in Nashville, TN, we understand the unique challenges that come with overcoming trauma, which is why we offer a warm and supportive environment where individuals can work through their experiences in a safe and confidential setting. With our compassionate and experienced team by your side, you can heal, reclaim your life, and move forward with confidence. Reach out to Integrative Life Center in Nashville, TN today to learn more about our approach to trauma treatment.

source https://sites.google.com/view/mentalhealthandaddiction/articles/healing-the-scars-of-trauma-a-guide-to-trauma-treatment

What Are the Symptoms of Emotional Trauma?

When a traumatic experience occurs, it’s normal to feel scared or horrified by it. In other situations, you may experience trauma without even recognizing it as a disturbing event. In either case, you may have symptoms of emotional trauma that impact your everyday life. It’s essential to understand these symptoms and recognize them in yourself, so you can heal.

The Truth About Emotional Trauma

Emotional trauma is not rare. About 60% of men and 50% of women experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. These traumatic experiences can potentially lead to the development of emotional trauma disorders. The event could happen one time, such as in the case of a car wreck or the death of a loved one, or trauma exposure can be continuous and ongoing, like bullying, neglect, or racism. 

Many traumatic events are obvious, such as a shooting, experiencing war, or being in a natural disaster. But some events that can cause trauma are so subtle that you may not even realize how big of a negative impact they had on you. For example, you may have been ignored or emotionally invalidated as a child.

Trauma can affect anyone, and the lasting impacts of it on your psychological health can cause you to struggle to live a happy life. If you realize you’re experiencing symptoms of emotional trauma, you may want to seek mental health treatment to help you manage your feelings. You can heal from trauma with the help of a mental health professional.

“Trauma doesn’t discriminate against who it impacts,” said Dr. Julie Eberwein, Executive Director at Integrative Life Center. “It can happen to anyone at any time. Emotional trauma is unlikely to disappear without mental health intervention, and it can have devastating effects if left untreated.”

The Symptoms of Emotional Trauma 

The symptoms of emotional trauma may differ for people because trauma exposure and impact are different for everyone. Two people can be exposed to the same traumatic event and have drastically different responses. So, it’s essential to understand the myriad of potential symptoms.

“Just like no two people are the same, no two responses to traumatic experiences are identical,” Dr. Eberwein said. “One person may have severe emotional trauma while another is completely unaffected by the same traumatic event. Because people are different, they must receive individualized mental health care.”  

Four categories of emotional trauma symptoms are physical, psychological, behavioral, and cognitive. 

1. Physical Symptoms

You might think that emotional trauma only impacts your brain, but your brain and body exist holistically, so trauma also can impact your body and how it functions. The physical symptoms of trauma impact how you physically feel.

Physical symptoms of emotional trauma include:

• Insomnia
• Excessive sleeping
• Sensitivity to smells and loud noises
• Being easily startled
• Bodily aches and pains
• Sexual dysfunction 
• Changes in appetite
• Rapid heartbeat 
• Trembling
• Gastrointestinal concerns
• Headaches

2. Psychological Symptoms

The psychological symptoms of emotional trauma impact how you feel mentally. You may just feel like something is off, or it’s possible that you feel physically and mentally exhausted, although you aren’t certain why.

Psychological symptoms of emotional trauma include:

• Anxiety attacks
• Dissociating (feeling disconnected from your own body)
• Suicidal ideation 
• Nervousness
• Feelings of impending danger 
• Depression
• Feeling overwhelmed 
• Loss of enjoyment 
• Strong feelings at unusual times or places
• Fear 
• Disgrace
• Hopelessness

3. Behavioral Symptoms

Behavioral symptoms of emotional trauma manifest themselves in how you act and behave, alone and among others. These are symptoms that impact how you act in the world. These behaviors are likely new or more extreme following the traumatic experience. 

Behavioral symptoms include:

• Angry outbursts
• Disruptive actions
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Drug use
• Withdrawing from relationships
• An inability to complete tasks
• Neglecting responsibilities
• Risky behaviors

Cognitive Symptoms

Cognitive symptoms impact the processes of thinking and reasoning. These impact how you see the world and your role in it. Trauma shatters a person’s feeling of safety. So often, people feel like the world is an unsafe place, and they’re constantly in danger after a traumatic event.

These symptoms include:

• Memory loss
• Trouble concentrating
• Flashbacks
• Nightmares
• Confusion

Now that you understand the symptoms of emotional trauma, you can better understand whether any of them are affecting you. It’s essential to be honest with yourself while you evaluate these symptoms and whether they apply to you. But what do you do if you see any of these symptoms in yourself? 

What to Do When You Spot Signs of Emotional Trauma

If you experience any emotional trauma symptoms, it’s time to take action to heal. 

“Left untreated, emotional trauma will only worsen,” said Dr. Eberwein. “Not only can trauma symptoms get worse, but the person also may develop other mental health concerns or form adverse coping mechanisms that will also need to be addressed.”

When you spot signs of emotional trauma, take the following steps:

1. Get Help. Seek a qualified mental health professional trained to help you understand your trauma, its effect on you, and how to work through it.
2. Communicate Your Feelings. When speaking with a mental health professional, be honest and communicate how you feel. They can’t properly help you if you don’t communicate openly. 
3. Develop a Plan of Action With a Qualified Professional. After your mental health professional understands your trauma and how it’s affecting you, they’ll help you create a plan that works for you. This plan is to help you feel better physically, psychologically, behaviorally, and cognitively long-term. 
4. Understand that Healing Takes Time. Working through trauma is a continuous process that doesn’t happen overnight. Following a plan of action will take time, but healing is worth it.
5. Stay the Course. Even when times get tough and you want to give up, stay the course and keep healing your emotional trauma. Healing isn’t always easy, but it leads to a more fulfilling, less stressful life.

Heal at Integrative Life Center

Discovering you have emotional trauma and recognizing the symptoms can be challenging. Although it can be difficult to reach out for help, you will feel safe and comfortable as you heal at Integrative Life Center. Heal in every aspect of your life — physically, mentally, and spiritually.  Contact Integrative Life Center to start your healing journey.

The post What Are the Symptoms of Emotional Trauma? appeared first on Integrative Life Center.

source https://integrativelifecenter.com/what-are-the-symptoms-of-emotional-trauma/

How Do You Find a Good Therapist?

Once you’ve decided to start therapy, the next step is to find a therapist who meets your needs. This part of the process is vital because your ability to connect with and trust your therapist dramatically affects your overall healing and emotional well-being. You want to feel safe and comfortable talking with your therapist, but you also want someone who will challenge you and ask the right questions. So, how do you find a good therapist?

Factors to Consider When Looking for a Therapist

As you’re looking for mental healthcare providers in your area, the list of options can seem daunting. With so many professionals to choose from, it may be challenging to narrow the list. You can look for specific factors to help you choose a good therapist.

Criteria to consider when choosing a therapist:

• Credentials. What certifications or degrees does this person have? What types of hands-on training and experience do they have? What are their professional credentials, accreditations, and licensing?
• Area of Expertise. Most therapists will list on their profiles what their specialties are. These include things like eating disorders, substance use disorders, grief, marriage counseling, and depression or anxiety. While many therapists will have a wide area of expertise, their specialty is their focus. It’s what they spent time training on and treating.
• Experience. How many years have they been practicing in your area? Have they worked in your area of concern for some time, or is it something they’re new to? 
• Treatment Methods. What treatment types and modalities does the mental health professional use? At Integrative Life Center, we use a holistic approach to therapy, pulling together evidence-based, experiential, and adventure therapeutic approaches.
• Rationale/Evidence Base. You’ll want to ensure that your therapist uses evidence-based practices in their approach to treatment. Evidence-based practice is rooted in treatments that are rigorously studied and tested through medical trials or case studies. 
• Inclusivity. Regardless of how you identify, what you look like, or your beliefs, you’ll want to be sure that your therapist has experience working with people like you. You may want to call and ask if they don’t include this information on their website or online profile.
• Session Format Options. Some mental health professionals offer virtual visits, while others require you to visit their office in person. Some practitioners use a hybrid approach. Make sure the therapist you’re considering offers the type of sessions you seek.
• Availability. Some therapists have immediate availability, while others may have a months-long waiting list. Many websites will let you filter results by those who are immediately accepting new patients. 
• Cost and Fee Policies. Some therapists offer sliding scale payments, which are payments that adjust according to your income level. It may also be a good idea to ask about cancellation fees and policies. 
• Insurance Partners. Not all mental health professionals accept insurance, and your insurance company likely doesn’t partner with all mental health care providers. You can ask your insurance provider for a list, or some websites will even let you search for therapists based on your insurance. 

Sheena Miller, MA, LPC, MHSP, Clinical Manager at Integrative Life Center, said finding a therapist who you feel comfortable with that has the professional knowledge to treat your needs is most important.

“You want someone who you feel comfortable and safe with, who can meet you where you are and walk alongside you in learning how to alleviate symptoms and heal from within,” Sheena said. “You want a therapist who can help you understand what you’re experiencing and how it originated while giving you the tools you need for the future.”

How Do You Find a Good Therapist?

Now that you know some things to consider when looking for a therapist, how do you find a good one? Where do you even go to get a list of names for consideration? It can be challenging to know where to start in your search for mental health care. Luckily, you may already have some resources to help that you haven’t thought about. Also, you can find assistance online and learn a ton about your options through therapist directories.

“There are many qualified, helpful mental health professionals out there,” Sheena said. “A big part of your search is about finding the right fit for you.”

Find a therapist through:

• Primary Care Referrals. Asking a trusted healthcare professional, like your primary care physician, is a great place to start. Chances are strong that they have a list of mental health professionals they regularly refer patients to.
• Loved One Referral. If someone in your life has been to therapy and had a good experience, their therapist might also be a good fit for you. At the very least, they’ve gone through the process before and can share the resources they used to find the person they currently see.
• Insurance Lists. Your insurance provider may have a list of in-network providers published on their website. Or you can always call and ask to have one sent to you.
• Online Directories. Online directories, like the All Counseling therapist directory, are an excellent resource for searching for mental health professionals with the specialty you need in your area.

Deciding on the Best Therapist for You 

Once you have multiple recommendations or a directory of hundreds of therapists in your area who serve your needs in front of you, how do you decide which helper to choose? It seems like a big decision, and a lot of the mental health professionals you’ve found may look a lot alike on paper. How do you narrow the list?

To choose a therapist:

• Narrow Your Results. Eliminate any mental health professionals from your list who don’t meet your needs exactly.
• Consider your Goals. What are your reasons for pursuing therapy? What do you want to get out of it? Which issues are most pressing, and do your potential therapists have experience treating them? What are your expectations for how long this should take? Eliminate any therapist from your list who can’t help you accomplish your specific goals.
• Consider Budget. How frequently would you like to see your therapist? Do you have it in your budget to pay their fee? Do they take your insurance? Remove any mental health professionals you can’t afford from consideration.
• Review and Reflect. Take time to review your goals and expectations as well as their qualifications and experience. It’s an important decision. Trust yourself and listen to your gut. Select the therapist you think is right for you.
• Make an Appointment. Make your initial appointment with your therapist. Attend the appointment armed with questions that will help you measure compatibility and prepare information to help them understand your goals.
• Expect Trial and Error. You may find a therapist that asks you the right questions and gets you on the first try, or you might have to try a few before you find the right one. Most importantly, stay patient and keep trying.

“A lot of people don’t get it right the first try. They think they’ve found the right fit in a mental health professional, but they just don’t click with the therapist,” Sheena said. “The most important thing is not to give up if this happens. You deserve the help you need. Don’t let one poor fit keep you from trying to find the right therapist for you.”

Getting Help at ILC

Deciding to start therapy is a big step. The decision on which mental health practitioner to choose for care can be nerve-wracking. Integrative Life Center has a team of mental health professionals ready to get you started on your journey back to wellness. Take a look at our mental health treatment programs or contact us to learn more about our services.

The post How Do You Find a Good Therapist? appeared first on Integrative Life Center.

source https://integrativelifecenter.com/how-do-you-find-a-good-therapist/

What is Mental Health Care?

Mental health encompasses your emotional, mental, and social well-being. It affects your ability to make good decisions, react to stress, and determine the quality of your relationships. So, what is mental health care? It’s taking care of your mental health and whatever you need emotionally. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in five adults will experience mental illness in a given year, making mental health issues among the most common health conditions in the US. Mental health care means taking care of your mental health the same way you do your physical health.

What are the Elements of Mental Health?

Mental health care seeks to identify and treat each element of a person’s well-being. The components of mental and physical health work together because the mind and body are connected, so you must focus on your health holistically.

Aspects of mental health are: 

• Physical. Changes in physical health are often the first sign that your mental health is suffering. These changes can include alerted appetite, sleep, or energy levels. 
• Emotional. Poor emotional health can show up in multiple ways. One way is poor emotional regulation. It can feel like your emotions control you instead of vice versa. Another way is through intense feelings of despair, hopelessness, confusion, or dread. If you’ve gone days, weeks, or months feeling this way, you may want to seek help from a mental health professional.
• Social. If you find your personal relationships suffering, your mental health may be to blame. One way this can show up is difficulty connecting with or relating to close friends or family members. You may go through periods where you shut yourself off from them when, in fact, difficult times are exactly when you should reach out to them. 

What is Mental Health Care You Can Practice

Many people associate mental health care with mental health professionals. While that’s certainly where people should go when they need mental health assistance, there are things you can do on your own to improve or protect your mental health.

“It’s essential to understand mental health and work diligently to care for yourself so that you can live your life to the fullest,” said Sheena Miller, MA, LPC, MHSP, Clinical Manager at Integrative Life Center.

Practices that improve mental well-being include:

• Healthy Routines. Establishing healthy routines like eating nutritious meals, getting enough sleep, and moving your body every day help improve your outlook on life. These routines are good for your physical and mental health.
• Practice Gratitude. Grateful people view the world through a more positive lens. Focus each day on recognizing things you’re grateful for, even on bad days.
• Challenge Yourself. Forward momentum makes you feel like you’re making the most of your life. Regularly challenge yourself professionally, physically, and mentally. Apply for a promotion, learn something new, or work a crossword puzzle. Accomplishing goals and doing difficult things helps boost joy and feelings of satisfaction.
• Connect with Others. Spending time with loved ones and connecting in authentic relationships is positive for your mental health and overall well-being.
• Be Mindful. Think of yourself and what’s best for you before you make decisions or commitments. Your well-being is your most important asset. Setting boundaries and caring for yourself first is your responsibility.

What Types of Professional Mental Health Care are Available? 

If you find that you’re having mental health challenges, you may need help from a mental health professional. Luckily, many treatment options are available to help you get back to your best self as quickly as possible.

“You don’t have to deal with mental health concerns alone. It’s not necessary to ignore or just deal with symptoms when there’s so much help available,” Sheena said.

Mental health treatment programs include:

• Outpatient Programs. Sometimes referred to as commuter programs, outpatient treatment is any treatment received without an overnight stay in a hospital or treatment center. Often it’s weekly or monthly therapy, depending on the severity of the issue. 
• Hospital Inpatient Programs. These programs can either be in a general hospital or a treatment center. Inpatient treatment can help you analyze the conditions that caused the issue in a structured environment. Depending on the severity of the issue, you may benefit from a full or partial hospitalization program.  
• Residential Inpatient Programs. Residential programs are often for longer periods and vary in intensity. As with hospital inpatient programs, individuals may benefit from being removed from the triggers of their day-to-day life so they can focus on their mental health treatment and healing.  
• Intensive Outpatient Programs. Intensives are short residential treatment programs that focus on a specific issue. The goal of an intensive is to help jump-start your healing process.
• Group. In group therapy, one or more mental health professionals lead a group of about five to 15 people who experience a similar mental health concern. Some people may go to group therapy in addition to individual therapy. The community nature of group therapy makes it helpful to many people.

Mental Health Care Treatment Modalities

In addition to having various settings and duration of treatment, people will also experience various treatment approaches. No two people are the same, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to mental health treatment. Different modalities exist, and mental health professionals often recommend various approaches to treatment for a single client. 

“The best mental health treatment is individualized. Each person is different and so are their needs. Look for a therapist or treatment center who will customize your treatment to reflect your needs,” Sheena said.

Mental health treatment modalities include:

• Varying Participants. Treatment can be for an individual, couple, family, or group. Depending on the nature of the problem, it may be beneficial to go to therapy with your significant other or family member. You also may have a mixture of individual sessions and sessions with that person. 
• Evidence-Based Therapies. These are approaches to treatment that researchers have tested and proven effective. It’s important to ask your mental health professional how they use these in their practice. 
• Experiential and Adventure Therapies. Experiential therapy uses activities to address mental health concerns. These therapies can include art, play, animals, or music. Adventure therapy uses challenging adventure-related activities like kayaking, hiking, or climbing to try and promote healthy identity development, self-efficacy, grit, and a growth mindset.

Benefits of Mental Health Care

Deciding to pursue treatment for mental health issues takes strength and determination, but the benefits of feeling mentally healthy are many. 

“You have one unique life. You deserve to feel safe and whole and to live your life as the healthiest version of yourself,” Sheena said. 

Mental health care can help you:

• Gain Coping Skills. Life is never perfect, and bumps in the road are bound to happen. When they do, good coping skills can help you navigate them. 
• Build Relational Skills. These are the skills that allow you to interact effectively with other people. So much of a person’s mental well-being comes from the strength and quality of their relationships, so building relational skills is vital. 
• Heal Trauma. Trauma can come in all shapes and sizes, so you may not even know you’re dealing with emotional trauma until you speak with a professional. Healing your trauma allows you to live in the present and show up for yourself more fully.  
• Recover from Addictions. Mental health care can also help you recover from addictions. By examining the root causes of your addiction and what triggers you into reaching for a substance, you can move toward more constructive methods of dealing with difficult emotions.  
• Establish Healthy Boundaries. Effective boundaries are vital for building healthy relationships, but sometimes it can be difficult to set them. Therapy can help you discover what yours are and learn how to establish them. 
• Strengthen Confidence. Mental health care can help strengthen your confidence by revealing your self-efficacy and ability to solve problems. 

Seeking Mental Health Care at ILC

Mental health care is essential to practice independently and with a professional when you need help. At Integrative Life Center, we want you to live your best, most authentic life. If you have mental health concerns and need assistance from a professional, we’re here to help. Contact us today to learn more.

The post What is Mental Health Care? appeared first on Integrative Life Center.

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How Can We Improve Mental Health Care?

Today, people talk about mental health care more widely than ever. The more people discuss mental health care, the more glaring its inadequacies become. Millions of Americans experience mental illness, and many are slipping through the cracks of a broken system. So how can we improve mental health care and provide the support Americans desperately need? 

More than 50 million Americans experience mental illness. Almost a third of them report that they don’t have access to treatment. And more than 12 million adults report thoughts of suicide. Lack of mental health care accessibility is debilitating Americans. Many people are left to fend for themselves without resources or assistance, sometimes with life-altering consequences. 

Understanding the Importance of Mental Health Care

Mental illness can be frightening and confusing. By working with a professional to recognize and understand symptoms, you can learn how to best manage the illness.

Mental health can have a significant impact on a person’s physical health. So, why isn’t the same priority given to mental health care as to physical health? Taking care of your mental health can reduce the risks of health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and ulcers. 

Without proper care, mental illness can consume you and affect your happiness. Proper treatment helps you improve your relationship with yourself and others to live a more fulfilled and authentic life.

“Mental health care shouldn’t be challenging to get. Quality care should be available to everyone who needs it, whether it’s for their mind or body, because the two are tied together to make a healthy person,” said Teresa Mock, Director of Admissions at Integrative Life Center.

Barriers to Mental Health Care

Despite the need for mental health care services, many barriers keep people from receiving the help they need.

Lack of Affordability

Mental health care services are costly. Despite the Affordable Care Act requiring medical insurers to provide behavioral and mental health care coverage, many people still have to pay out of pocket. For a low-income family, mental health treatment is challenging to prioritize. Therapy sessions can range from $100-$200 per appointment. Paying out of pocket for necessary medications also adds up, especially over a lifetime. For some, it’s the difference between getting the treatment they need and putting food on the table. 

Limited Availability

Finding treatment is difficult when there aren’t enough mental health professionals to provide it. Often, people also can’t get the medication they need because their local pharmacy doesn’t provide it. There are rarely enough mental health care professionals in rural areas. Even in urban areas, clinics often have long waiting lists or limited providers. 

Lack of Awareness

Besides lacking the resources for mental health care, many people lack the education to recognize mental illness or know how to get help. 

And mental illness can be challenging to recognize. For example, symptoms of anxiety or depression can be dismissed as tiredness, laziness, or personality issues. 

Without the resources to help people recognize their symptoms, mental illness often goes untreated.

Social Stigma

The stigma surrounding mental illness prevents many people from accessing the care they need. Some people experience implicit stigma, maintaining their beliefs against mental health care, preventing them from acknowledging illness, seeking treatment, or sticking with a long-term treatment plan. 

Racial Barriers

A significant disparity exists regarding mental health care access for marginalized groups. White adults are more likely to seek help for mental illness than Black and Hispanic people, one survey found. 

Areas with higher marginalized populations are less likely to have enough mental health counselors to support the region and provide mental health education. 

Additionally, even if there is support, 88% of mental health counselors are white. People are less likely to seek help from someone they don’t believe will understand their background or cultural differences. 

“We need to help people understand that mental health care is for everyone. That means removing barriers and stigmas that keep people from seeking care. It also means educating and recruiting diverse individuals into the profession so that everyone can find help that makes them feel safe and understood,” Teresa said.  

How Can We Improve Mental Health Care?

Mental health care shouldn’t be overlooked. It takes work to break the barriers and make mental health care more accessible. To end the stigma, it’s important to continue talking openly about mental health. The more we shed light on mental illness, the more normalized it becomes. 

“There is no shame in needing help. People don’t feel ashamed if they need a doctor’s help to heal an infection or stitch a cut, nor do they feel like they have to hide those things from others. They shouldn’t feel like they have to hide mental health issues or be ashamed of them,” Teresa explains. “Openness surrounding mental health concerns will help end the stigma and make seeking this type of healthcare more acceptable.”

Better awareness can help funding. With higher mental health care budgets, professionals can provide better access to services and lasting treatment. The more money directed to mental health care, the less likely people are to end up in emergency rooms, jails and prisons, homeless shelters, or on the streets. Investing in mental health will save tax dollars in the long run. 

Additionally, it’s important to align policies and programs with health care coverage to make mental health care more affordable so people can get the treatment they need covered by their health insurance. 

Improving mental health care won’t happen overnight. Investing in community mental health services and wellness hubs can make mental health care more accessible and affordable. It’s also necessary to provide support to psychiatric training and research. With better access, resources, pay, and community support, more people will pursue mental health care or research. 

Keeping people in mental health treatment programs requires compassionate care, emotional support, and active listening. People discontinue mental health care because they feel invalidated. Enabling mental health care providers to be warm, empathetic, and understanding facilitates a safe environment for patients.

Encouraging and Seeking Change

The mental health care system in the United States needs reform, but it requires government, community, and individual support to improve. Mental illness can be debilitating without proper support and treatment. Elected officials and policymakers can change the system, but it takes work from everyday people to encourage change. The more we openly discuss mental health care, the more we can improve the system. 

At Integrative Life Center, we believe in compassionate, intentional care, a philosophy that has earned a national reputation for clinical and program excellence with clients and behavioral health experts. If you’re struggling with your mental health, contact us today to change your life and start the road to recovery.

The post How Can We Improve Mental Health Care? appeared first on Integrative Life Center.

source https://integrativelifecenter.com/how-can-we-improve-mental-health-care/

What Are the Types of Mental Health Treatments?

You’re not alone if you feel overwhelmed by the mountain of information while researching the types of mental health treatments. Whether you’re trying to find answers for yourself or someone you love, the vast amount of advice from various sources can be overwhelming. 

Just like there are various mental health concerns, there are many types of treatments. The internet is a good starting point, but it can be challenging to sift through. 

Here is an overview of the different types of mental health treatments, how mental health treatment can help, and ways to get more information from a trusted source. 

How Mental Health Treatment Can Help

How can you be confident that mental health treatment works? Does it actually help? How does it work?

Scientists have studied most mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma-related disorders, and personality disorders, and concluded that a combination of talk therapy and medication has the biggest impact on improving mental health. 

Common ways mental health treatment can help include:

• Better Quality of Life. Improve your quality of life by decreasing negative symptoms like worry or sadness.
• Improved Relationships. Learn communication skills that help you in your relationships and become more familiar with yourself so you can show up more fully in your relationships.
• Feeling Better. Learn coping skills that help you manage your symptoms and feel better physically and mentally.
• Living Authentically. Encourages you to be yourself and meet your goals.

Mental health treatment is highly individualized. Your treatment plan may look completely different from a person who has a similar issue just because you are each unique people with certain experiences, preferences, and ways of life.

“Regardless of the mental health treatment, it should meet you where you are. The goal is for treatment to help you heal and improve your life. So, the most important aspect of treatment is that it fits you and your individual needs,” said Melisse Prusinski, LMFT, Clinical Manager at Integrative Life Center.

Settings for Mental Health Treatment

Mental health treatment takes place in various settings. There are differences in levels of care at each location.

Treatment settings include:

• Inpatient. Inpatient facilities supply the highest level of care — 24/7 staff availability. This level of care is sometimes involuntary.
• Residential. Residential mental health treatment or intensive outpatient treatment centers provide the next highest level of care, often requiring clients to attend a certain number of hours of treatment per day or week.
• Outpatient. Outpatient mental health treatment is the most familiar form of voluntary treatment. People often go to counseling, whether that’s at a private practice or a community agency, once a week.
• Groups. Group mental health treatment can be helpful for specific issues, like substance use disorders, grief, or developing social skills.

Types of Mental Health Treatments

Mental health treatment varies greatly from individual to individual, but some common treatment types exist. Here are some mental health treatments, how they work, and what types of mental health concerns they treat. 

Psychological Treatment

Often backed by theory and research, psychological treatment involves specific techniques and teachings that make the hallmark of each type. Below are some contemporary counseling models and general features that distinguish them, according to Dr. Gerald Corey,  Professor Emeritus of Human Services at California State University at Fullerton and counseling expert.

• Psychodynamic Approaches. Psychodynamic approaches focus on the unconscious and how bringing awareness to unconscious desire produces insight into how to be more functional as a human being.
• Experiential and Relationship-Oriented. These approaches include existential therapy, person-centered therapy, and the Gestalt approach. Existential therapy relies heavily on the philosophy of existentialism and explores themes of meaning. Person-centered therapy emphasizes the innate potential of each person and encourages this potential. Gestalt therapy focuses on awareness and the here and now.
• Cognitive Behavioral Approaches. Cognitive behavioral approaches focus mainly on behavior and actions. These approaches include classic behaviorism, which emphasizes factors that either increase or decrease specific behaviors, and approaches that focus more on a person’s thoughts and how those contribute to their actions and experiences.
• Systems and Postmodern Approaches. Systems approaches include feminist therapy and family systems therapy. They emphasize that you can’t remove a person from their social context. For this reason, mental health treatment must consider the systems in which people exist to address their mental health. Postmodern approaches, like solution-focused brief therapy and narrative therapy, recognize that each person’s reality is unique, and mental health treatment must consider the various factors that make up their experience of the world.

Most trained mental health professionals use some combination of theories and techniques. Modern-day psychological treatment recognizes that not all people are the same, so therapy can’t be one-size-fits-all. 

“There is no one therapy that works like a magic bullet for people. That’s why it’s essential to determine what mix of approaches will work best for each individual,” Melisse said. 

Creative and Supportive Therapy

In addition to traditional theoretical approaches, there are mental health treatments that incorporate things you may not think have a place in therapy. Research supports these mental health treatments, and they can be great options for people looking for non-traditional counseling or who are looking to incorporate non-traditional approaches into their overall mental health treatment plan.

Creative and Support therapies include:

• Animal-Assisted Therapy. This approach includes a variety of animals, with the most robust field being equine therapy. Equine therapy involves caring for and interacting with horses for mental health benefits. Horses are intuitive by nature and can help people with social skills, anxiety, depression, and more.

• Art, Music, Dance, or Drama Therapies. Art, music, dance, and drama therapy are all research-backed forms of mental health treatment that incorporate creative skills to improve mental health or lessen symptoms.

Supplementary and Alternative Treatments

Supplementary and alternative treatments can also be incorporated into an individual’s mental health treatment plan, depending on their specific issues, interests, and abilities.

Alternative therapies include:

• Acupuncture. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese practice that uses small needles and pressure points on the body to relieve stress.
• Massage. Massage for mental health can help improve pain and aid in relaxation and mindfulness. 
• Mindfulness and Meditation. Many traditional counseling approaches are beginning to incorporate more mindfulness and meditation practices because research shows these techniques can reduce the negative effects of stress.
• Yoga. Yoga is one of the most robustly researched forms of exercise/movement shown to decrease stress and the negative effects of stress.

This list of therapies isn’t comprehensive, but it gives you an idea of the types of treatment out there. These approaches to mental health are often combined in some ways to contribute to the whole health of the individual.

“People live in the world, so it’s best for them to have therapies to teach them how to be an active participant in the environment around them,” Melisse explained.

Choosing the Best Treatment for You

You have a lot of things to consider when choosing the best treatment for your mental health plan. Trained mental health professionals at Integrative Life Center are here to help you sort out your options, including making recommendations about the best approaches for you, your insurance coverage and price details, your time commitment needs, and comfort levels.

Integrative Life Center employs professionals who specialize in many of the types of mental health treatment mentioned above. Contact ILC today to speak with someone who can assist you or your loved one in initiating the mental health plan that works for you.

The post What Are the Types of Mental Health Treatments? appeared first on Integrative Life Center.

source https://integrativelifecenter.com/what-are-the-types-of-mental-health-treatments/