STEP 1 – OVERCOMING THE MENTAL ILLNESS STIGMA

Dealing with mental illness is still a taboo, particularly among people over 40.

This stigma often stems from a fear of being perceived as “crazy,” which is socially unacceptable.

Anything related to madness and death freaks us out for obvious reasons. Tapping into our most vulnerable aspects is terrifying because we fear falling apart and never recovering.

But to get treatment and heal, we must confront these fears and prioritize our health.

If it is ok to ask for help when you break a bone, what’s the problem with doing so when your heart is broken or your mind gets sick?

Isn’t it all part of you?

STEP 2 SELF-INVESTIGATION

**Finding Out Why You Need Therapy**

In my case, I sought therapy whenever the difficulties I faced felt too overwhelming to handle on my own.

For me, these moments included going through a divorce, experiencing the death of my stepfather, and confronting symptoms related to childhood traumas.

I realized early on that I wouldn’t be able to overcome this without guidance and support, and this proved to be true.

You can use the following questions to identify your struggles and needs.

• What is wrong with me?

• What problems can I not solve, no matter how hard I try?

• What recurring patterns and stories exist in my life?

• If I could eliminate one thing right now, what would it be?

💡 My suggestion: Answer these and any other questions that come to your mind on paper or a device, and use them as a reference for the next steps.

**How Deep Are You Willing to Go?**

Are you interested in just treating the symptoms, or can you handle a deep dive into the root causes?

*Knowing this is essential when choosing among the various therapeutic approaches.

For example, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on changing harmful thoughts and behaviors without addressing the underlying causes of dysfunctional patterns.

In contrast, Jungian analysis, also known as analytical psychology, involves exploring the unconscious mind and its connection to the collective unconscious.

This method uses techniques like:

• Archetype exploration

• Active imagination

• Dream interpretation

• Symbolic processes

📌 In summary, CBT aims to retrain your mind to improve behavior, while analytical psychology seeks to address and heal your soul.

Which one do you need the most now?

Do a test by talking to professionals from both methodologies to find out which feels right for you.

You can also look into other types of therapies, such as:

• Humanistic Therapy

• Psychodynamic Therapy

• Holistic Therapy (Integrative Therapy)

💡 My suggestion: Focus on what you want to solve, rather than the specific approach. Identify your primary concern, then “interview” potential therapists to see who seems like the best fit for you.

STEP 3 – SEARCH FROM RELIABLE SOURCES

Ask for recommendations from friends and family, or use trustworthy websites to find good options for initial consultations.

STEP 4 – TESTING THE WATERS

• Create a list of your top therapist candidates and jot down key questions to evaluate them. Check some sample questions in the Step 4.

• Start by exchanging emails or text messages with them to gauge the initial connection.

• Follow up with a face-to-face conversation (either online or in person) with your preferred candidates.

STEP 5 – THE FINAL DECISION

The “Click“

For me, the right therapist is someone with whom I feel immediately comfortable and who convinces me that they can help with my specific problems.

If a professional lacks either of these qualities, I move on.

**Assessing the Therapist’s Competence and Experience**

First, check their certifications and reputation, if possible.

Then, ask about their methods and experiences.

Sample Questions:

• What techniques do you use? Can you explain how they work?
• How long have you been practicing?
• What do typical sessions look like?
• How do you usually treat this specific issue of mine?

💡 My suggestion: Evaluate how confident the therapist sounds and whether their answers make you feel that they are trustworthy and competent.

**Assessing The Match Between You and the Therapist**

After speaking with each candidate, reflect on the following questions:

– Do I feel I can trust this person with my issues?

– Do I like this person?

– Did they make me feel comfortable during our talks?

– Did they reply effectively to all my questions?

– Did I feel seen and heard?

– Do I want to talk to them again and open up?

– Did I feel the “click”?

💡 My suggestion: Choose the therapist who achieves the highest score on kindness and competence.

They need to be approachable enough to make you trust them and open up; they need to be skilled enough to help you heal and grow.

I will end this post with a quote from the genius Carl Jung that encapsulates the essence of a good therapist:

“Know all the theories, master all the techniques, but as you touch a human soul be just another human soul.” -C.G. Jung. 🌹

🎁 Related posts:

8 Top YouTube Channels for Mental Health and Self-Improvement

5 Great Books For Better Relationships and Empowerment

Top 5 Reasons Therapy May Fail You