MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES: Treatment and Recovery

Mental health is just like physical health – every once in a while we need a check up to make sure things are going well, sometimes we get a little knocked around and need to be patched up, and sometimes things can go really wrong and we need treatment from an expert. Mental health services come in all shapes and sizes. Self-administered screening tools and get you a quick snapshot of changes in functioning. Support groups and counseling can often help people get through difficult times. More intensive outpatient and inpatient therapy may be needed if mental illnesses interfere with your ability to get through the day effectively.

Mental Health Services for suicidal people often include some combination of medication and therapy directed at the underlying causes of suicidal thinking. Experts estimate that 90% of people who die by suicide have some form of a diagnosable mental disorder. Mental disorders such as depression and substance abuse are highly treatable, and yet are often the most common forms of mental disorders found in suicidal people.

What to expect from counseling

Counseling is a confidential learning process during which you meet with a trained professional who can help you sort out your concerns, think through decisions and create personal goals. People who attend counseling do so for a wide range of reasons – from adjusting to life’s curveballs to managing major mental and emotional disorders. The mental health professionals often work in a team to provide the best care for their clients, and they are bound by strict guidelines on confidentiality. During the first session you will be asked to describe your concerns and what you hope to gain from counseling. You might be asked a number of background questions in writing or during the discussion to help the professional more fully understanding your situation. The session usually lasts about an hour after which you might be referred to additional resources if needed.

You will benefit the most from counseling if you come prepared to focus on a specific issue with a goal in mind and by being as open and as honest as you can. By participating actively and collaborating with your counselor you will increase your chances of learning new skills. You can expect your counselor to listen to your concerns and answer any questions you may have about the process. You might have “homework” to do in between sessions that will usually encourage you to try something new. Mental health agencies often have a fee associated with them or (like some EAPs) offer only a limited amount of sessions – ask these questions when you are making your appointment. At the end of the counseling process you should feel understood and encouraged, you should have more clarity and self-awareness regarding your problem, and you should have a direction for improvement and a plan to get there.

About confidentiality

Mental health service providers are bound by their professional ethical standards and licenses to confidentiality. With rare exceptions, no information is released to anyone outside of the counseling services. The exceptions to confidentiality include life-threatening situations when someone is in imminent harm to themselves or others or in cases of suspected child abuse or an appropriate court order. The counseling professionals may sometimes consult with each other about best forms of treatment for you. If you have concerns about confidentiality – ask your therapist directly.

  1. Where will records be kept?
  2. Who will have access to them?
  3. With whom will information be shared and under what circumstances?

You have a right to know!

How to choose a counselor

Things to assess when choosing your counselor:

  1. Credentials – Counselors should have a minimum of a Masters degree and should be licensed. In some mental health agencies, graduate level counselors are earning hours toward their licensure by working as an intern. Ask about these practices and how supervision is handled. Your counselor might be a psychologist (doctoral level – Ph.D. or Psy.D.), a social worker (MSW), or a counselor (MA). You may also work with a psychiatrist (MD) for therapy or medication.
  2. Experience – Ask your counselor about their experiences working with your presenting concerns. 
  3. Fit – while the counseling relationship is not a friendship it is important that you feel safe and trust that your counselor is competent. You do not have to settle for the counselor that is assigned to you. If it doesn’t feel right, ask for another provider.
  4. Availability – How often will you get to work with the counselor? How long? What will happen if there is an emergency? What happens when the provider is on vacation or away from the office?