When a family goes through big changes or is experiencing serious problems functioning as a healthy family unit, often, seeking a family conflict therapist can help. But it isn’t always easy to determine when it’s time to take such a step, so ACT Family Counseling is here to help.
If you think you might need a family conflict therapist and aren’t sure about how to find one, here are some important tips for you.
How to Determine When You Need a Family Conflict Therapist
There are often many reasons one might seek out a family conflict therapist, such as when:
- Family members tend to have extreme emotional reactions.
- Family members have trouble functioning in their normal capacity with your family.
- Family members are withdrawing from family life.
- There is a big communication gap between family members of your family that aren’t talking to each other.
- There are violent symptoms from family members.
- Family members express feelings of hopelessness or helplessness.
- Your family has been through a traumatic experience and some members are having trouble coping with it.
Finding the Right Family Conflict Therapist for You
When it comes to finding a family conflict therapist to work with, there are several avenues you can take, the first being asking your family physician for recommendations. Often, family doctors will refer their patients to qualified family counseling services.
Another is personal recommendations. Perhaps you have a close friend who’s been through something similar, or you know someone currently in therapy; don’t be afraid to ask for help and recommendations.
Lastly, if you’re a member of a church or religious community, asking the leader of your group or congregation if they have any suggestions can also help you find the help you need. In many cases, there will be counselors of your particular faith that might better understand your family’s needs.
Searching for a family conflict therapist? Contact us today!
If you’re searching for a reliable online family conflict therapist, ACT Family Counseling is here for all of your needs. Contact us online to learn more about our services or call (800) 801-8777.
ACT Family Counseling
5 Locations to Serve You
Chino | Rancho Cucamonga | Redlands | Ontario | Victorville
This article first appeared at ACT Teletherapy.com
CLICK HERE to learn more about Teletherapy and how you can connect via phone, text, or video
When you feel depressed, it can often seem like there’s a dark cloud hanging over you. But it’s important to understand that depression isn’t a struggle you have to deal with on your own; there’s help available. ACT Family Counseling has helped many deal with their depression and live healthier, happier lives. Here we would like to share 5 Tips for depression therapy!
1. It Takes Time to Find the Right Treatment
When it comes to depression therapy, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. It might take some time to find the right depression counselor for you. You might need to speak with several therapists until you find one you feel comfortable with or try out different medications or dosages until you find one that works. This is normal, so don’t be afraid to be open to change.
2.Learn As Much As Possible About Your Depression
Understanding your depression is one of the very first steps toward recovery. Learning as much as you can about the underlying symptoms of your condition is important both for you and your therapist. It will help them better understand your needs and you to understand what you’re going through, and why.
3.Don’t Simply Rely on Medication
Medication isn’t the be-all-end-all solution when you’re suffering from depression. It can certainly help, but it’s meant to relieve symptoms while you work through the underlying problems with a licensed therapist. Additionally, medication, coupled with working with a therapist like the ones from ACT Family Counseling, as well as making healthy lifestyle changes can work wonders.
4.Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
When it comes to depression, having a strong support system is one of the best ways to get through your issues and manage your symptoms, so don’t be afraid to speak with friends and family and ask for help. In addition to the benefits you can receive from online depression therapy, finding local support groups or ones online can also help you improve your mental health. Often, speaking about your issues is one of the first steps toward recovery.
5.Depression Therapy Takes Time & Commitment
Working with a therapist like the ones from ACT can improve your quality of life, but you’ll also have to work hard on your recovery. Don’t expect to start feeling better overnight; it’s an ongoing process that takes time and commitment. There are ups and downs, but in the long run, you’ll slowly begin feeling better and taking control of your life again.
For more about depression therapy and our treatment philosophy at ACT Family Counseling, contact us online or call today.
ACT Family Counseling
5 Locations to Serve You
Chino | Rancho Cucamonga | Redlands | Ontario | Victorville
This article first appeared at ACT Teletherapy.com
CLICK HERE to learn more about Teletherapy and how you can connect via phone, text, or video
Mental health issues range from mild to severe, difficult to recognize and hard to ignore. This article takes a look at mental health statistics, starting in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic began and finishing up mid-2021 where countries are starting to open up again.
How did we fare mentally through these unusual times?
2020 Mental Health Figures
- One in six youth (age 6-17) experience a mental health disorder.
- 40% of adults are struggling with a mental health disorder.
- Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for people ages 10-34. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US. Transgender adults are 12x more likely to commit suicide.
- Half of all mental illnesses begin by age 14.
- Many suffer from more than one mental disorder.
- The most common mental illness is anxiety which afflicts over 18% of the US adult population (40+ million people).
Not terribly encouraging, but who ever expected this pandemic to be so severe and drag on for so long! Let’s fast forward to 2021, vaccines, and communities re-opening.
2021 Mental Health Figures
What does this year look like now that we are emerging from lockdowns? We can only hope these numbers will be trending downward as life returns to some level of normalcy. Early in the year, the trend was consistent with last year, but as we continue to vaccinate and open up our communities, many reports are encouraging:
- Youth mental health disorders are now at 9.7% or less than 1 in 10.
- Adults who have completed their vaccination sequence are reporting a positive impact on their mental health.
- Many are returning to fitness regimes which will support their mental well-being as well.
- Anxiety symptoms are on the decline as business re-open, jobs become available, and options for social return.
- Unfortunately, the pandemic has caused a significant increase in substance abuse. Without treatment, these numbers will continue to remain high.
Feeling Better? Feel Your Best!
We appreciate how challenging this past year and a half have been. We are all ready for uplifting news and an uplifted mental outlook. Every person with mental health challenges deserves an opportunity for help. We are here for you. Reach out to us for personalized counseling and therapy at one of our convenient locations, or via text, video, or phone. Let us help you start your journey to better (and best) mental health!!!
ACT Family Counseling
6 Locations to Serve You
Apple Valley | Chino | Rancho Cucamonga | Redlands | Ontario | Victorville
This article first appeared at ACT Teletherapy.com
CLICK HERE to learn more about Teletherapy and how you can connect via phone, text, or video
Like many American living with depression, you may feel so empty and drained that you are just struggling to function. Mustering the strength to seek treatment, especially self-help, is a huge challenge. Take a few minutes to be encouraged and inspired by ways that others have started their journey. Perhaps their successes can resonate with you and help you find that starting point toward better mental health.
A Helpful Starting Point
More than…yes more than 1 in 4 adults in the United States suffer from depression. With the COVID virus, the increased death rates, unemployment, and other pandemic disasters, this number may actually be higher. So, let’s start by saying “You are NOT alone”.
But where you are with your mental health may certainly vary. Perhaps you easily slip into a funk, feel irritable with low self-image. Maybe you are highly agitated with severe panic attacks, appetite issues, concentration and job performance issues.
Regardless of where you are, take a moment to acknowledge it. Sit quietly, listen to you, meet yourself exactly where you are in the present moment. Don’t judge it, don’t worry about it, just acknowledge it.
Now, know this. Where you are today, in this moment, is different from where you were in the past (1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 1 year ago…or 5 years, or more). This is also not a judgement, but an acknowledgement that things to change, sometimes for the good, sometimes not so much.
Can You Influence that Change?
Yes, and the more you believe that what you do every day can have incremental effects on your mental health, would you try? Read through the list below of ways that others have started their journey. Find just one suggestion that resonates with you. Find time to focus on it every day. If its not helping, try another. If it is helping, try another. Grant yourself the opportunity to try and the encouragement to continue, even when have a bad day. You can do this!
Fighting Depression
Let’s start with you. Small improvements in physical health can offer even larger improvements to your mental health.
- Eat healthy – balanced amounts of protein, grains, veggies, and fruit. As Mom would say “Eat your colors”. Try supplements if you know your diet tends to be a little lopsided. Omega-3 fatty acids (fish, nuts, seeds) may help reduce the effects of the stress-related hormone cortisol. It sure won’t hurt and perhaps you can find a special way of preparing that fish that you love…and look forward to!
- Drink healthy – take an inventory of your beverages and move toward more pure water beverages; avoid too much caffeine, sugar-laden beverages, artificial sweeteners, and reduce alcoholic beverage intake.
- Sleep well – find a way to get 8+ hours of sleep on a regular schedule; chamomile just before bedtime and soft, soothing music can help
- Exercise – if you already work out regularly, kudos to you. If not, find a way to add a few minutes of exercise 5x per week. A favorite place to walk is perfect now that the weather’s improving, swimming, biking, hiking, yoga. Find an activity YOU like and give it a regular place in YOUR schedule. Value your time that you are giving to your physical health; your mind will thank you.
- Here are some other valuable practices that you may find add to your journey to a better place.
- Goals – we all need to have some goals that we are working on. Goals are our way of aiming for accomplishments and advances in our lives. Setting these too unreasonable, however, can be the worst thing you can do. You will add to your depression as you think how unachievable your goals are. START SIMPLE. One small goal, fully within your control, and manageable is the best way to begin. Something you can start and finish within one month, realistic for you, and measurable.
- Grow and Improve Your Relationships – healthy, happy relationships with others keeps us grounded in today and give us a support network when we need it. Strong and healthy relationships can help bring us out of depression and help avoid slipping back into that unhealthy state. Nurture your positive relations, and mend those that are broken. Unhealthy relationships can be exhausting and have a negative effect on your mental health. If you can, avoid these until you are strong enough to deal with them.
- Person Meaning – do one kind act, perform some selfless service, donate your time. Every person’s life needs meaning and purpose. Find even the smallest thing that gives you joy. Do it, then do it again!
Depression is a medical condition, not laziness. It is often a temporary response to personal discouragement or grief. These recommendations in parallel with an online depression therapy program can help you find meaning in your life again and rebuild your confidence and happiness.
Reach out to us for personalized in-person counseling and therapy via text, video, or phone. Let us help you start your journey to better mental health!!!
ACT Family Counseling
6 Locations to Serve You
Apple Valley | Chino | Rancho Cucamonga | Redlands | Ontario | Victorville
This article first appeared at ACT Teletherapy.com
CLICK HERE to learn more about Teletherapy and how you can connect via phone, text, or video.
For many of us, May is a beautiful spring month full of blossoms and renewal. In this spirit, we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month. We use this time to raise awareness about mental health and the stigma associated with mental illness. We acknowledge mental health problems small and profound and send healing thoughts to all those in need.
You Are NOT Alone!
And so many of us are in need. One in five people will experience mental illness during their lifetime and nearly everyone will be subjected to the influences and challenges in life that threaten our mental health. By raising awareness during the month of May, we hope to encourage everyone to embrace positive attitudes, show empathy to those who are suffering, and seek mental health care if needed.
Mental Health Affects Physical Health
Mental health is delicately balanced with your physical health. When we are physically healthy, we are more likely to be able to withstand the conflicts and challenges that lead to mental health problems. And likewise, when we are mentally healthy, we are probably taking good care of our physical bodies. However, should either mental or physical health decline, it is fairly likely that both will suffer. While it may be easy to make a clear distinction between the mind and the body, the two are definitely not inseparable.
Celebrating Mental Health Awareness
Whether you are challenged with mental health issues or not, you probably know someone who is. Here are some positive ways you can celebrate Mental Health Awareness month and make a difference in your life and with someone else.
- First, and most importantly, prioritize YOUR mental health.
- Reflect on your own mental health. Are you getting enough rest? Exercise? Healthy meals?
- Take time for yourself
- Acknowledge your accomplishments large or small
- Start a conversation
- Offer a random act of kindness…or forgiveness
- Enjoy a family member or friend’s company
- Stop to enjoy some small detail
- Just smile
- Hug your dog, pet your cat, treat your special animal; they are often a positive influence
We believe that Mental Health matters. Like our physical health, we sometimes need the help of a trained professional to get us back on track. If you are looking for a mental health counselor, reach out to us for personalized counseling and in-person therapy, and now available by text, video, or phone. Let us help you get back on track, one that moves you along your journey to better mental health!!!
ACT Family Counseling
6 Locations to Serve You
Apple Valley | Chino | Rancho Cucamonga | Redlands | Ontario | Victorville
This article first appeared at ACT Teletherapy.com
CLICK HERE to learn more about Teletherapy and how you can connect via phone, text, or video.
