At one point or another many of us have dealt with the ups and downs of life. But for some of us, the downs stick around a little longer and can make us feel lost and hopeless. In an article in Forbes magazine, Bryan Robinson said “around 47% of Americans believe seeking therapy is a sign of weakness – which is common yet one of the biggest misconceptions about psychotherapy.”
The stigma surrounding therapy and mental health can keep us from seeking treatment.
“We wait until we’re basically having the equivalent of an emotional heart attack before somebody will make that call.” Lori Gottlieb, a psychotherapist, said in an article for NPR.
- Know the stigma’s around therapy
Most people stray away from reaching out for help because they feel that their problem is not big enough. Remember it’s not selfish to seek help.
- You don’t know what type of therapy to try out?
There are several different types of therapy, but of the most famous there are about five.
– Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most well known aimed at mindfulness to keep their patients present.
– Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is for individuals who experience extreme emotional responses to certain situations.
– Trauma Therapy: often used for post-traumatic stress disorder this type of therapy can help bring subconscious closure to a traumatic event to relieve the patient of constantly reliving the event.
– Psychodynamic Therapy: this looks back at the patient’s past to explore what might be causing current behavior and patterns that individuals are not necessarily aware of.
– Interpersonal Therapy: suited for working through poor or challenging relationships.
Remember not all therapists and therapy are the same, it takes time to find the right fit for you and that is okay.
- You’re scared of other people finding out
Therapy is confidential. “HIPPA laws dictate what therapists can and cannot disclose when they can disclose it, and to whom this information can be relayed,” Andrea M. Risi (LPC) said.
- You’re scared of getting better or digging through the past
Admitting that there may be a problem is scary. Things can get worse before they get better.
- You’re scared of the cost
At UT CMHC individual counseling appointments are $10 but are fully subsidized by the university — meaning you do not pay the charge. In addition, psychiatry appointments are $15 but students are required to pay $10 of the $15.
If you ever feel you need someone to talk to call UT CMHC at (512) 471-3515 to meet for a brief assessment with a counselor to set up appointments. In crisis situations call (512) 471-2255. The CMHC has several services to take advantage of such as different types of therapies, well-being resources, and psychiatric services. To learn more about what CMHC has to offer to UT students you can visit their website at: cmhc.utexas/edu. There are also several on-campus organizations that advocate for mental illness education and support such as: Nami on Campus at UT and (Un)Jaded.
Featured image by Talisa Trevino