Feeling Stressed? Talk It Out

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 1 in 5 adults struggle with mental health concerns. With a worldwide pandemic, rising economic prices and political division, the amount of people battling stress, anxiety and depression over the last several years has only increased.

One of the best ways to combat this attack on your mental health is through talk therapy.

What is Talk Therapy?

Talk therapy places you with a trusted counselor who guides the discussion while helping you work through roadblocks in your mental health. From conflict in your relationships to burnout at your job, they can help you navigate complex situations during this season of your life.

They can also provide stress management tools and coping strategies to combat your symptoms.

Healthline mentions immense benefits of talk therapy that include:

•   Improving communication skills

•   Experiencing feelings of empowerment

•   Developing strategies to manage stress

•   Gaining fresh insights

•   Discovering how to make healthier choices

Talk therapy allows you to explore your feelings without judgment. Trusted therapists can provide an alternate perspective to help you see your situation in a new light.

This can be a great solution to manage your mental health. Talk therapy can help you create a plan to develop healthier habits to lead a more fulfilling life.

Individual Versus Group Therapy

Talk therapy can consist of individuals or groups. Group therapy may include couples, families or other groups going through a similar situation.

When determining which type of therapy is best for you, it’s important to consider several questions:

•   Do you want the session to be completely confidential and private?

•   Would you like more one-on-one attention from your therapist?

•   Are there others in your social circle going through the same situation?

•   Would you like to interact with others during your session?

American Addiction Centers lists several other key differences to help you decide between individual and group therapy.

Support groups are another option for talk therapy. This consists of a group of people going through a shared problem. A trained counselor facilitates the group in a guided discussion as they address obstacles. Support groups can help someone feel less alone as they face their challenges.

Find Someone You Trust

Finding a therapist is a lot like dating. You might have to try out several different counselors before finding the right fit. It’s important to know what kinds of issues you want to address so you can find a counselor with the correct training.

Therapy can vary in price, but there are affordable options. Check with your insurance provider to see which counselors are covered under your plan. Sometimes companies offer Employee Assistant Programs (EAP) for their employees, a free plan that helps you navigate through life’s challenges.

Affordable options can also be found on reputable websites such as BetterHelp and SonderMind when seeking a mental health professional.

According to the American Psychological Association, about 75% of people who participate in talk therapy experience improvement in their lives. You don’t have to suffer alone. Professionally trained counselors are available to equip you to overcome feelings of stress, anxiety and depression.

Getting out of your head and talking through your situation with a counselor is sometimes the best step you can take to experience better mental health.

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