EnSpiring Mental Health during a Pandemic
Research shows that while one in five adults and 17% of youth will experience a mental illness in their lifetime, everyone will actually face challenges in their life that impact their mental health—even if they are not experiencing a full-blown mental illness.
But contrary to popular belief, you do not have to wait until you are diagnosed with a mental illness or on the brink of a meltdown to seek the help of a counselor or psychotherapist.
The truth is most everyone can benefit from therapy at some point in their life.
“Over the past 16 months, we have seen a significant increase in individuals, couples, and families seeking therapy and psychiatric services,” said Dr. Leah McMillan, a clinical therapist and the founder and owner of EnSpire Counseling & Wellness. “People are seeking services to learn how to cope with the effects of the pandemic and living in this ‘new norm’.”
Though many adults are still learning to cope with the trauma and increased psychological distress brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, McMillan says it’s important to remember that young children, school-age children, and teenagers have been impacted significantly over the past 16 months, as well. McMillan stresses that counseling can be beneficial for children and teens, as well.
The most common mental health conditions observed in correlation to the pandemic include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Obsessive thinking and compulsive behavior
- Mood disorders
- Sleep disturbances
- Trauma related triggers and symptoms
- Behavioral and concentration issues
- Somatic complaints
- Depersonalization
- Self-harm thoughts and behavior
How Counseling Helps People
“It is our belief at EnSpire that therapy brings restoration and transformation,” said McMillan. “Seeking therapy does not make an individual weak or ill, but rather strong and courageous. And it can enhance their optimal wellness, as well.”
According to McMillan, therapists walk with their clients creating hope, healing, and restoration throughout the therapy process.
“It’s important for clients and their families to recognize that change does not happen overnight,” said McMillan. “Restoration takes time. However, your therapist will help you every step of the way.”
How Psychotherapy Works
Psychotherapy helps people learn to understand their feelings and emotions and equips them with the tools necessary to face new challenges, both in the present and the future.
According to McMillan, licensed therapists use psychotherapy to help clients retrain thought patterns and cognitions which in turn can rewire the brain.
“Therapy helps you reprocess past negative, destructive, or traumatic experiences and relationships in a way so that the people or events can no longer control you,” said McMillan.
Therapists use techniques to assist individuals in creating their own identities, improving thought patterns and cognitions, and creating healthy behaviors and boundaries.
The utilization of psychiatric services, including medication assessment/management and psychotherapy can provide the following benefits:
- Regaining emotional balance and improving emotional regulation
- Decrease psychological symptoms and somatic complaints
- Decrease depression and anxiety symptoms
- Trauma resolution
- Improve healthy/positive interpersonal relationships
- Improve communication and personal skills
- Create and maintain healthy/positive boundaries
- Improve overall wellness, improve quality of life, decrease stress, increase self-confidence
“One of the most positive outcomes we have observed during the COVID global pandemic is more people are seeking help, attending therapy, and recognizing that mental health is just as important as physical health,” said McMillan. “People are more willing to share their own stories related to their mental health and optimal wellness journey now as opposed to pre-pandemic. If we learn anything from the pandemic, it should be that we are all in this together, and together we can truly make a difference, one life at a time.”
Written by:
Leah McMillan, DPA, LMFT, EMDR-T, CFRC
Founder/Owner/Clinical Therapist
EnSpire Counseling & Wellness
Megan Powell
Owner
The Write Content Company