The Benefits of Mental Health Care and Medication

The conversation about mental health therapy needs to include preventative and active treatment benefits. The stigmas surrounding mental health care are fading, making it easier for people to begin therapy. However, too often, people wait until a mental health disorder disrupts their life to seek help. When a client starts therapy with you, guide them to understand therapy doesn’t mean they’re broken. The benefits a client gains from attending and participating in sessions are numerous.

Mental Health Therapy

When clients begin therapy, they may not understand what therapy is or how it can help them. An integral part of making them comfortable is defining what therapy is and how it works. Because your client went through an assessment before meeting you, they may have a grasp of what may occur. However, going over the kinds of therapy and what can happen in a session may put them at ease.

When a person says therapy, many think of a room with a couch and a therapist taking notes. Talk therapy is what many associate with all therapy, and though they’re not necessarily wrong, there’s much more to therapy, including holistic modalities. Mental health therapy is a conduit to exploring and discovering ways to enhance and increase a client’s emotional well-being. 

Mental health therapy sessions can:

• Increase day to day healthy decisions

• Create a sense of happiness and engagement in life

• Build on or heal relationships

• Develop financial and work stability

• Encourage physical and social activities

Help your client discuss any stigmas they may have concerning therapy. For example, some clients may hold back from sharing because they’re afraid of being judged. Work with them to create a comfortable, non-judgmental space. Once you build a relationship, encourage your client to discuss with you the benefits of mental health counseling.

Therapy as Prevention

One way to think of preventative mental health care is to compare it to a car. Most people take preventive measures—change the oil, tune-ups, or tire rotations—to ensure their vehicle runs smoothly. Therapy is similar to car care. Seeing a therapist before major issues present themselves can help avoid harmful situations.

Preventative therapy is a form of self-care. A person wouldn’t make assumptions about someone who is physically active. There isn’t a difference between exercising to prevent physical health issues and starting therapy to prevent mental health issues. Both physical activity and mental health therapy serve the same purpose: to care for the well-being of a person. 

If you’re a doctor and one of your clients has a loved one with a terminal disease, recommending therapy can avert dangerous behaviors once their loved one passes. For example, if one of your patient’s parents is dying from an illness, you can suggest they speak with a therapist to help them process their feelings. Having therapy in place when an event occurs helps your clients work through their reactions.

Therapy as Self-Care

Self-care is vital to your client’s well-being. Clients who can reconnect with their minds and bodies can grow and adapt. Flexibility in life opens up possibilities while also preventing emotions like depression or anxiety.

Two examples of self-care include:

• Journaling:

  Teens and young adults who journal can experience increased motivation, competence, or regulation of behaviors. Journaling helps release anxiety, depression, or inner thoughts.

• Physical activity:

  Physical activity can aid your client in releasing emotions by focusing on how their body responds to an action. For example, runners can feel a rush of happiness because their brain releases feel-good chemicals. Activities like surfing, tennis, or hiking can have a similar effect.

The Benefits of Medication

Not everyone needs medication. However, those who do will benefit from finding the right kind. Clients with mental health disorders might seek dangerous ways to escape their feelings. For example, teens may cut to distract from their emotional pain. Instead, you can prescribe medication to help them derive the full benefits of therapy and re-engage in their lives. 

Some clients may refuse medication because they have specific concerns or stigmas about medication. Asking your client how they feel about medicine and discussing their thoughts and feelings can open up the conversation. Once a healthy discourse takes place, ask them how they think a prescription will affect them. For example, your client may worry about weight gain, acne, or an adverse side effect they heard about. While explaining the side effects and the right to stop, adjust, or change medication is crucial, it is also essential to discuss the benefits. 

A discussion about the positive effects of medication can help a client make an informed decision. Your client may not know medication can soothe the brain. Some mental health disorders respond well to medication. Once the brain has adjusted to the medication, they can feel balanced and decrease barriers to their well-being.

There are several benefits to mental health therapy. While clients are in therapy, they can voice their thoughts and feelings in a safe space. As they become more comfortable in sessions, they may also derive a sense of happiness. Therapy serves to discuss and explore how the past has influenced a client’s present. In some cases, such as mental health disorders, your client can benefit from a prescription. SokyaHealth offers comprehensive services to help your client address their mental health needs. Our trained professionals understand the importance of care tailored to each client. We form a client-therapist relationship built on trust and respect. A healthy relationship allows us to connect on a meaningful therapeutic level. Your client’s wellness matters to us. Whether your client participates in individual therapy or coaching, our focus is on their long-term health. Our professionals are here to answer your questions. Call SokyaHealth today to learn more at (877) 840-6956