Over the past several decades, more and more people have reported experiences of mental health issues. This highlights a growing need in society for robust mental health resources that can help people overcome their mental health struggles.
If you’ve ever experienced mental health issues, you’re not alone and it’s important to understand that there is help out there for you. However, it can sometimes feel like an overwhelming process when you’re looking for the right care for your specific needs.
Fortunately, gaining an understanding of all of your options can significantly simplify the process. This way, you’ll be more motivated to seek out the help that’s right for you and achieve a state of great mental health.
Here is finding the right mental health care for your unique needs.
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Exploring Different Types of Mental Health Care Professionals
Before settling on one specific mental health care path, it’s important for you to be aware of the many options you have available. This will help you figure out which type of mental health care professional is right for your specific needs.
Here are some of the different types of mental health care professionals you can choose from.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric nurse practitioners are advanced nurses who specialize in treating patients with specific mental health ailments. In particular, these nurses help patients achieve a sense of well-being by treating both their bodies and their minds.
If you’ve ever found yourself drawn to holistic forms of healing, seeking out mental health care from a psychiatric nurse practitioner is a great option. This is because these professionals go beyond the normal duties of mental health care providers and seek to heal patients in a myriad of ways ranging from physical ailments to even spiritual ailments in some cases.
Another benefit of seeing a psychiatric nurse practitioner is that these advanced nurses are trained to treat a wide variety of mental health ailments ranging from ADHD to depression. As such, if you’re battling an acute mental health illness and need the help of a highly skilled professional, seeking out the care of a psychiatric nurse practitioner is a great option.
Counselor
While psychiatric nurse practitioners are typically only found in medical settings, counselors can work in a variety of environments. From schools to community centers, these mental health professionals are widely accessible and can be a great resource for anyone struggling with mental health problems.
There are a variety of different types of counselors that specialize in different areas. This means that there is likely a specific type of counselor out there to help you through your mental health journey. For example, those experiencing problems with spouses or children can see a family counselor while those struggling with the passing of a loved one can get help from a grief counselor.
What makes counselors such a robust mental health care resource is the fact that they are typically widely accessible. In addition, there are many programs out there that help people find affordable counseling options, further removing barriers to this type of care.
If you’ve never received mental health care and are a bit anxious about the process, seeing a counselor is a great way to overcome these challenges. In addition, these skilled professionals will also likely be able to help you achieve mental health states and a better sense of how to work through your personal issues.
Art Therapy
Though much of the general public has never heard of this form of mental health care, art therapy is an amazing and innovative mental health care option that may be perfect for you. The professionals who provide this type of care are called art therapists and they are trained professionals with a thorough understanding of how to guide clients through the process of achieving better mental health states through art.
Art therapists work in a variety of settings including hospitals, community centers, and private practices. Some of the aims of art therapists include helping clients cultivate better self-esteem, work through issues, and become more socially engaged.
If you’re interested in exploring a more innovative and creative form of mental health care, then art therapy could be the perfect choice. This is even more true if you’re someone who enjoys the creative process and finds personal meaning and value in creative pursuits.
Much like other holistic healers, art therapists also take a broader approach to well-being. What this means is they go beyond only focusing on mental health issues to also address other ailments such as spiritual problems. If you’re intent on going beyond conventional mental health care during your journey to mental well-being, you should definitely explore art therapy and the ways it can beneficially impact your life.
Pastoral Counselor
If religion or spirituality plays an important role in your life, you may want to seek out the help of a pastoral counselor. Put simply, these professionals are ordained members of a specific faith, such as priests or rabbis, who have undergone training in psychology and counseling. As you can probably imagine, these mental health professionals place a strong emphasis on spiritual healing in addition to mental health care.
From battling illnesses to dealing with the loss of loved ones, pastoral counselors can talk clients through difficult experiences and help them overcome them. They can be particularly effective with individuals who have a strong spiritual life and respond well to theological viewpoints.
These professionals can be found in a variety of settings ranging from hospitals to religious centers. Sometimes these professionals even offer their services for free to those in need and those in their communities. This being the case, this can be a great place for you to start your mental health care journey if faith plays a significant role in your life.
Everyone Should Have Access to Great Mental Health Care
Though it can sometimes be difficult to take the leap and seek out mental health care, understanding the options you have available to you can make it a lot easier. From psychiatric nurse practitioners to art therapists, there is a wide range of mental health professionals out there who can help you achieve a state of well-being.
If any of these forms of mental health care resonate with you, be sure to explore care options in your area so you can begin your mental health care journey.
