MTV Decoded Tackles Mental Health Stigma

About one in Americans experiences a mental illness in a given year. That's about 20% of our population.  But according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, only about 40% of people receive services to treat their conditions.  What's the culprit? Many say stigma.

Stigma around mental health issues and mental health treatment is one theme that I consistently run into in my work. Many clients report that they held off on accessing therapy services due to stigma around talking to a therapist or needing professional help. Additionally, for those who could benefit from medication or other treatments in conjunction with talk therapy, stigma serves as a constant barrier.  No one wants to be "that person" needing to take Prozac daily for their depression.

The reality is that many of us are suffering in silence.  There's no need for that. Speaking with a mental health professional may be the single healthiest and most important choice of your life. Not only could you learn ways to cope with symptoms and other life issues, but you also give yourself much-needed self-care time in a world that is often very demanding of your time and emotional energy.

I was really happy to come across MTV's recent episode of Decoded titled "5 Mental Health Stigmas that Need to Go!" It's a quick and important video to watch to continue to dismantle the stigma around mental health and treatment. The video stars host Franchesca Ramsey breaking down stigmas that keep many folks out of treatment. Please watch the video below.

Lady Gaga Speaks to Prince William About Mental Health Stigma

Stigma is one of the biggest mental health concerns of our time.Stigma, negative judgement and perception of being 'broken' are all things I hear from clients as barriers they faced when they finally make it into therapy.  The more that we can put mental health on par with physical health, and see the two as inextricably linked, the better we equip people with the courage to obtain the professional support they need.I'm so grateful to have come across this conversation between Lady Gaga, one of the world's most famous performers, and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, as they talk about the importance of emotional health. The Royal Family's younger generation has taken up the task of eradicating stigma with their Heads Together initiative and it has produced some worthwhile conversations, such as this one.You can watch the fascinating call between the two below.

Should You Be the Same Race or Gender as Your Therapist?

One of the things that I am most often asked in my phone consultations with folks is about matching between client and therapist along gender or race lines. That is, should you be the same gender or race as your therapist?  As with most answers in psychology...it depends!

Finding the right therapist to work with is no easy feat. First, there is the research. You scour search results of sites like Google or sort through results on directory sites like Psychology Today in order to find a mental health professional in your area (with payment terms that you're comfortable with). You may not even know what you're supposed to be looking for! Should you have someone of your own race or should you not care? Does it matter? What about gender? Then, you make a quick call or schedule your first session and anxiety sets in. Now, you actually have to go.

It takes a lot out of you.

Research exists on the topic of matching between client and therapist along racial and/or gender lines, and the results are mixed.  Based on the research that I've seen, there doesn't seem to be much difference in terms of treatment outcomes as it relates to therapist/client matching. That is, you are likely to gain similar outcomes if you are Black man meeting with a Black male therapist or a While male therapist. Are you surprised? Me too.

Of course, this all starts with the basis that there is no, or very limited, bias on the part of the therapist. The research indicates that therapists of all races, who are comfortable with their own racial identity and competent in working with clients of difference racial groups, are equally efficient. That's particularly good news if you live in an area where you are not able to find a therapist of your own race, if that is your preference.

When it comes to race, it seems that you can be sure a therapist of any race that is competent in working with your racial group can be effective at helping you work through your biggest concerns.

Another idea that I found interesting about the research is that the length of treatment IS affected by therapist, client match. Specifically with regards to race, there is research that indicates that while match doesn't so much matter for White folks, Black folks are more likely to stay in therapy longer when matched with Black therapists.

The research on gender (or sex) matching between therapist and client is also mixed. There is some research that indicates that, similar to race, gender matching makes no significant difference in terms of treatment outcomes. However, there is research that indicates that women tend to stay in treatment longer when matched with women therapists. Inversely, men may be more likely to drop out of therapy, and sooner, when matched with male therapists. Go figure.

It should be noted that all research attempts to explain trends that are able to be generalized about the population at large. Some research does a much better job at this than others.  So take all of this information with a grain of salt.

At the end of the day, what matters most is who are you most comfortable sitting across from. When you're empowered with an answer to that question, you will be much more comfortable and prepared to work through your concerns with a therapist than you can grow to trust and lean on.

Additional suggested reading on the topic: Your Therapist is White. You're not. Is this a problem?

Sources:

Cabral, R. R., Smith, T. B. (2011, October 11). Racial/Ethnic Matching of Clients and Therapists in Mental Health Services: A Meta-Analytic Review of Preferences, Perceptions, and Outcomes. Retrieved April 4, 2017, from http://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1079&context=facpub

Flaherty, J. A., MD, & Adams, S., PhD. (1998, January 01). Therapist-Patient Race and Sex Matching: Predictors of Treatment Duration. Retrieved April 04, 2017, from http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/articles/therapist-patient-race-and-sex-matching-predictors-treatment-duration

Jones, E. E. (1978, January 01). Effects Of Race On Psychotherapy Process And Outcome: An Exploratory Investigation. Retrieved April 04, 2017, from http://insights.ovid.com/psychotherapy-theory-research-practice/psytr/1978/10/000/effects-race-psychotherapy-process-outcome/4/01437416

Sterling, R. C., Gottheil, E., Weinstein, S. P., & Serota, R. (1998, July). Therapist/patient race and sex matching: treatment retention and 9-month follow-up outcome. Retrieved April 04, 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9744135

Recovering Addicts Share Words of Wisdom on Finding Forgiveness After Treatment

Guest post contributed by Cecelia Johnson.

Forgiveness: it’s easy to want, but not as simple to give. It can be especially difficult when it comes to a former substance abuse problem. Even after someone has found sobriety, it’s not always easy for loved ones to let go of past pain.I had the recent opportunity to speak with addiction treatment graduates who shared their stories about picking up the pieces. Here are a few of their insights on finding sobriety and forgiveness.

It takes time

Few people leave treatment and expect that things will immediately be perfect. Even if you’ve gone through family counseling as part of your rehabilitation, it’s going to be a learning curve for everyone. There are new boundaries and routines to get used to, and for your loved ones, it might take some time to learn to trust you again.“It’s a process. Like anything in life or recovery, it’s a process,” John noted.After finding lasting sobriety at the Treehouse in Texas, John was eager to return home and be the best possible husband and father — but it came in small steps.“I was still around taking care of my kids and being involved with them. Then my wife started to trust me to come home for two nights a week, so I started coming home on weekends,” he recalled.There were a few setbacks and it was tough to be away from his family, but John said he tried to make the most of it.“It sucked,” he admitted, “but at the same time, it allowed me some space to keep working on me. I was able to read more and to journal more. There were some benefits too.”

There may be more going on than you realize

It isn’t always the people who you’ve directly wronged who have trouble forgiving you. For some, it’s their loyalties to others that make them hesitant to trust you again.“One of my friends was really cold to me when I tried to reach out to her when I got sober,” Wendy explained. “I asked her what was wrong, and she said, ‘What’s wrong? You put our friends through so much!’ Even though I never did anything to her, she’s really hurt by what I’ve done to other people.”Wendy said that at first she was crushed, but ultimately she realized her friend had a right to be upset. And all she can do is give her time to heal.“You can’t push it. There’s nothing I can do about people not wanting to make amends. They’ll be ready, or they won’t,” she said.

Your loved ones just might surprise you

For all the people who aren’t ready to forgive, there are often just as many who will be ready. People are often more understanding than we expect them to be, and most have a deep appreciation for someone trying to get their life back on track.“You don’t realize it; you don’t think about it. You just think that you’re so bad, what you’ve done is just so horrible, but there are still people who care,” said Christy, whose friends, family, and neighbors banded together to help fix up her house when she went to treatment.“These people that we barely knew probably have family members, people that they are close to that may be in a similar situation,” she went on. “You don’t realize that other people really can relate. You don’t think that. You don’t know that. But there are a lot of people out there who do understand.”So don’t lose hope. With time comes healing, and often that’s all that people need. Your patience and understanding may be all you can offer right now. In the meantime, focus on rebuilding the relationships you still have — including the one with yourself.

And if you’re the one who is being asked for forgiveness, remember that it’s one of the most priceless, cherished gifts you could ever give to someone. 

Cecelia Johnson believes strongly in the power of good deeds and recognizing great work. That’s why she created RecognitionWorks.org. The site is dedicated to connecting those who’ve been awarded for exemplary work in their communities to companies and organizations that can help them continue their admirable efforts through donations, sponsorships, and gifts. By making these connections, she hopes to build stronger, more altruistic communities and citizens.

The Different Types of Therapists and Counselors: The Complete Guide

Submitted by guest contributor Joseph Rauch.

There are dozens of types of therapists and counselors, each with a different method, speciality, salary or degree. If you are interested in working with a psychotherapist, this guide will offer all the information you need to find the professional who best fits your challenges, lifestyle, budget and preferences. It is also helpful for aspiring therapists who want to learn about possible career paths.

What Does “Type” Mean in the Context of Therapists?

There are several factors that determine exactly what a therapist’s “type” is (we explore all of them thoroughly in the rest of the guide):

• Type of Psychotherapy They Practice

• Type of Degree or License

• Type of Specialized or Additional Credential  

• Issues or Disorders They Specialize in Treating

• Whether They Use Mediums Such as Art and Music

• Willingness to Give Advice

• Practicing In an Office, Online or Both

• If They Practice in an Office, Is It a Group or Individual Office?

• Health Insurance Policies

• Works with Individuals, Couples, Families or a Combination

• Works Only with Adults, Only with Children, Only with Seniors or a Combination

• Specializes in Seeing Clients of Certain Races, Income Levels, Religious Backgrounds and Sexual Orientations

• The Locations in Which They Practice

There is no consensus or standard definition of what “type” means in the context of counselors. “Type” can refer to any one of the aforementioned factors. Nonetheless, therapists and clients mostly use “type” to refer to the type of psychotherapy the therapist practices or their degree, license or credentials. This is because many therapists most prominently feature therapeutic approach and education in their personal brand and marketing. They also often perceive it as a more important part of their professional identity.

Why All Parts of a Therapist’s Type Are Equally Important

It’s natural for therapists to stress their credentials and approach more than other parts of their type. “Health Insurance Flexible Therapist” doesn’t sound as appealing as “CBT therapist,” even if clients find the therapist by searching health insurance directories.The unintended negative consequence of stressing education and type of psychotherapy more than other factors is it leads some clients and therapists to believe the other factors don’t matter as much. The factors actually vary in importance depending on what the client is looking for and what the therapist wants to offer during treatment.Some clients search for therapists based on health insurance or the ability to practice online. To them, the type of psychotherapy and credentials are an afterthought.Then there are clients who want a therapist with the same race or similar life experiences. They, too, don’t care as much about education level and therapeutic approach.There are also therapists who believe the type of degree does not significantly impact the quality of therapy. “I believe any mental health professional who has experience counseling can help people with the same effectiveness as another degree, such as LMFT, LPC, PhD, LCSW and LMHC,” said Talkspace therapist Karissa Brennan, LMHC. All of the factors that make a therapist’s type are important. Keep reading to learn about them in-depth and see how they impact both the client and therapist.

The Type of Psychotherapy/Therapeutic Approach

The type of psychotherapy or therapeutic approach affects a therapist’s career path but makes little difference in the quality of treatment they can provide. It is important to clients, though.Some clients might find a purely cognitive behavioral approach too cold or believe psychodynamic methods are outdated. It’s crucial for the therapist and client to think about how the therapeutic approach will mesh with their personalities, preferences and goals.Most therapists say they specialize in or use a certain approach rather than claiming they are a practitioner of it. There is a difference between someone who calls himself a psychoanalyst and someone who says he uses psychoanalysis in therapy. The former is less likely to blend psychoanalysis with other approaches.

This is a guest post by writer Joseph Rauch. Please visit the Talkspace blog to read the full version of this article.