Mental health counsellor

What is a Mental Illness?

A mental illness is a disorder that causes an individual to think, act and feel differently than other people, and may prompt a visit to a mental health counsellor. It is quite common for the disorder to disrupt a person’s whole life and prevent them from going about their day without thinking disturbing thoughts or encountering difficult feelings. Unfortunately nobody has been able to establish a direct cause for why mental illness affects so many of us, and many do not seek help from a mental health counsellor until it’s too late.  There are some common factors thought to influence its development, for example genetic inheritance and social causes but no one knows for sure because each case is different.This is something to discuss with your mental health counsellor.

Some common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety affect an individual’s emotions and thinking.  It is extremely important to understand that a person with a mental disorder cannot just stop the way they are thinking, feeling or behaving; these illnesses can take control of the individual and disrupt their lives. Many seek help from a mental health counsellor when they wish to take their own life or when the mental illness has persisted for a long period of time. It is always better to seek help from a mental health counsellor sooner rather than later.

What does a Mental Health Counsellor do?

Most individuals with a mental illness are embarrassed about their thoughts and don’t want to seek help from a mental health counsellor, however these disorders are very common and there is a great deal of help available to those suffering. Mental health counsellors are used to working with people who from time to time experienced painful or embarrassing thoughts.

When deciding on an appropriate mental health counsellor, it can be useful to understand the different therapies they may use. Although all can be effective, you may find one approach more appealing than another. You might also be able to find a mental health counsellor who can tailor their approach to suit your needs.

Psychological therapies generally fall into three categories, all of which can be discussed with your mental health counsellor. These are behavioural therapies, which focus on cognitions and behaviours,psychoanalytical and psychodynamic therapies, which focus on the unconscious relationship patterns that evolved from childhood, and humanistic therapies, which focus on self-development in the ‘here and now’. Not all mental health counsellors are trained in all of these approaches, and often prefer one type of model.

This is however a generalisation and many mental health counsellors use a combination of these techniques. Some counsellors or psychotherapists practice a form of ‘integrative‘ therapy, which means they draw on and blend specific types of techniques. Other practitioners work in an ‘eclectic‘ way, which means they take elements of several different models and combine them when working with clients.

What does a Bright Ideas Psychology Mental Health Counsellor do?

Bright Ideas Psychology’s mental health counsellors use a mainly Cognitive Behavioural approach, drawing on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approach. These techniques are at the cutting edge of what we know works with helping people to live full, rich and meaningful lives and means your mental health counsellor will make a difference in your life. Call the office to book an appointment now with a trained mental health counsellor to discuss how Bright Ideas Psychology can help you with any issues you may be experiencing.