Two Chairs’ Post

🌟 Seeking the Right Therapist: 5 Essential Considerations 🌟 Finding the right therapist can be a transformative journey, one that lays the foundation for healing and growth. Here are 5 key factors to keep in mind as you embark on this path: 1. Empathy and Understanding: Seek a therapist who demonstrates genuine empathy and understanding towards your experiences and emotions. Feeling heard and understood can greatly enhance the therapeutic process. 2. Collaborative Approach: Opt for a therapist who adopts a collaborative approach to therapy, where you feel actively involved in setting goals and creating a treatment plan. A collaborative dynamic fosters a sense of empowerment and ownership over your therapeutic journey. 3. Evidence-Based Practices: Seek a therapist who utilizes evidence-based practices supported by scientific research. These approaches have been proven effective in treating various mental health concerns and offer you the best chance for positive outcomes in therapy. 4. Inclusive Environment: Seek a therapist who creates a culturally sensitive and inclusive environment where you feel respected and valued regardless of your background, beliefs, or identity. Feeling safe and comfortable involves being in a space that honors diversity and fosters a sense of belonging for all clients. 5. Qualifications and Expertise: Look for a therapist who is licensed and has expertise in treating the specific issues you're facing. This could include specialized training in areas such as trauma, anxiety, depression, or relationship counseling. Take your time in finding the right match. Your mental health journey deserves nothing less. 🌱 #TherapyGoals #MentalWellness #FindYourTherapist #yyccounselling #yyctherapy

It's easy to assume that in mental health, a client-centered approach is the one and only strategy. After all, our ultimate goal is to better serve our clients and help them navigate their mental health journeys. But at Ellie Mental Health, we believe in a different, perhaps surprising, strategy: a clinician-centered approach. 🤔Hold on, you might say. Aren't clients the most important players in mental health care? Yes, they are - at the individual level. When a therapist sits down with a client, their focus is and should be entirely on the client. But we're not talking about individual therapy sessions here. We're talking about the organizational approach. Just as our therapists are focused on their clients, we, as an organization, need to focus on our therapists. Why? Because when we take care of our therapists, when we put them first, they're better equipped to do their best work. And when our therapists are doing their best work, our clients are receiving the best care. Know any amazing therapists who might like to join us? Send them our way - we're hiring! #TherapistFirst #MentalHealth #Therapy

As mental health therapists and relationship therapists, we work within a paradox: Our work is so meaningful because of the process we facilitate with amazing people whose lives, relationships and world are being transformed which is due in part to their integrity, accountability, courage, vulnerability, grit and hard work, and then, there is the contrast of the dishonest, unaccountable, entitled, demanding and abusive people who seek our services as well. The latter often cancel numerous sessions on short notice, don’t keep their agreements, don’t do their part of the work during and between sessions, act condescendingly and hostilely toward the therapist, lie about what has happened in their therapy sessions, and then blame the therapist for their lack of change in order to avoid looking at themselves in the mirror and to avoid taking accountability for their behavior and choices. AND YET, in spite of this latter group’s behavior and its significant impact on me, the transformational healing process with and relationships with former group of amazing clients is why I keep doing this work— after more than 21 years as a therapist and over 27 years in practice as a social worker—and I continue to be so grateful for the incredible privilege it is to be a part of these clients’ lives, process and journey. ❤️ I want my mental health therapist and relationship therapist colleagues to know that I see you and I’d love to hear in the comments below what you do to effectively navigate this paradox. #emdrtherapy #emdrtherapist #anxietytherapy #therapyworks #relationshiptherapy

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It's easy to assume that in mental health, a client-centered approach is the one and only strategy. After all, our ultimate goal is to better serve our clients and help them navigate their mental health journeys. But at Ellie Mental Health, we believe in a different, perhaps surprising, strategy: a clinician-centered approach. 🤔Hold on, you might say. Aren't clients the most important players in mental health care? Yes, they are - at the individual level. When a therapist sits down with a client, their focus is and should be entirely on the client. But we're not talking about individual therapy sessions here. We're talking about the organizational approach. Just as our therapists are focused on their clients, we, as an organization, need to focus on our therapists. Why? Because when we take care of our therapists, when we put them first, they're better equipped to do their best work. And when our therapists are doing their best work, our clients are receiving the best care. Know any amazing therapists who might like to join us? Send them our way - we're hiring! #TherapistFirst #MentalHealth #Therapy

It's easy to assume that in mental health, a client-centered approach is the one and only strategy. After all, our ultimate goal is to better serve our clients and help them navigate their mental health journeys. But at Ellie Mental Health, we believe in a different, perhaps surprising, strategy: a clinician-centered approach. 🤔Hold on, you might say. Aren't clients the most important players in mental health care? Yes, they are - at the individual level. When a therapist sits down with a client, their focus is and should be entirely on the client. But we're not talking about individual therapy sessions here. We're talking about the organizational approach. Just as our therapists are focused on their clients, we, as an organization, need to focus on our therapists. Why? Because when we take care of our therapists, when we put them first, they're better equipped to do their best work. And when our therapists are doing their best work, our clients are receiving the best care. Know any amazing therapists who might like to join us? Send them our way - we're hiring! #TherapistFirst #MentalHealth #Therapy

Over the past 18 years, we've conducted countless ethnographic interviews with caregivers and consistently hear an underlying theme… Imagine being there for your loved one day in and day out but feeling like no one is there for you. Maybe you don’t need to imagine because this is you.  That’s the reality for many caregivers, who silently struggle with mental health.    The healthcare system strain only adds to the burden they carry. With resources stretched thin, caregivers are left shouldering more responsibility without the support they desperately need. It’s like trying to hold up a crumbling bridge with nothing but your bare hands.    This constant pressure can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and even depression amongst caregivers. And the worst part? THE GUILT. 😶 They often feel guilty for taking time away from their loved ones to focus on themselves. It’s a vicious cycle that ultimately hurts both the caregiver and the person they’re caring for.    Recognizing the vital role caregivers play and providing them with the support they need isn’t just important – it’s essential for the well-being of everyone involved. Let’s start the conversation and give caregivers the recognition and support they deserve. #MentalHealthAwareness  

Finding the right therapist can be challenging, especially if you belong to a diverse and resilient group. You may face barriers such as stigma, discrimination, lack of access, or cultural differences. That’s why it’s important to look for a therapist who is culturally sensitive and competent. But how do you find such a therapist? In this carousel post, I've shared some tips and resources that can help you in your search. I hope you find them useful and informative. Another tip is to trust your intuition. It’s important to listen to your gut and choose a therapist who you feel comfortable and safe with. Your therapist should create a supportive and culturally sensitive environment where you feel empowered to address your mental health concerns. If you are looking for a culturally sensitive therapist yourself, you can also reach out to me via my website deeplyrootedpsych.com. I am a Clinical Psychologist who specializes in helping people from diverse backgrounds achieve their mental health and wellness goals. Thank you for reading and have a great day! 😊 #blackmentalhealth #blacktherapist

Therapists seeking therapy? Some reflective take on it. Usually, therapists are seen as oddly perfect beings particularly when it comes to their emotional regulation. Well here’s the truth. No, therapists don’t have it all figured as well. As humans we’ve all got a certain way through our highs and lows. When I initially started the supervision, I remember my supervisor asking me if I have personally been a part of therapeutic process? Have I been in client’s chair? It definitely sparked some reflections at that time too. 🛋️ As a mental health professional, seeking therapy for oneself adds to the empathic understanding for our clients. 🛋️ Yes, therapists may have more insights but sometimes you may need a professional to help you further with it. 🛋️ As somebody who works on humanistic line, self actualisation can be seen as being aware about one’s identity and peculiarities. Rather than having it all figured out. 🛋️ A therapist seeking therapy, professionally would also learn along the lines of practice and would individually serve better. 🛋️ It helps deal with burnout, compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma. As a psychologist, I feel grateful to be part of a community that holds empathetic space and mental health resources readily available for everyone around. What are your thoughts on it? Would love to hear from you.🤍 #therapisttotherapist #mentalhealthcircle #mentalhealthcommunity #mentalhealthawareness #breakingstigma #nomorestigma #emotionalregulation #learningaboutoneself #selfawareness #selfactualisation