Mental health is a crucial aspect of our overall well-being, and there may be times in your life when seeking the help of a Licensed Clinical Psychologist can be beneficial. Licensed Clinical Psychologists are professionals who have experience helping clients address various mental health challenges.
From Mental Health Disorders such as Anxiety or Depression to more general self-improvement, working with a therapist can help you work through problems and improve your mental and emotional well-being. Read on to see just a few examples of when you should consider seeing a Licensed Clinical Psychologist for help with your mental health.
You Struggle With Emotional Regulation
Emotional regulation is the ability to feel your own emotions—even negative ones—without letting them get the better of your mindset, behavior, and actions. If you struggle with emotional regulation, it can cause issues such as poor anger management, poor stress management, anxiety, and so on. These challenges often manifest as conflicts, mood swings, irrational outbursts, or withdrawal from situations and relationships.
Seeking the help of a Licensed Clinical Psychologist can be a practical next step in addressing these challenges. A Licensed Clinical Psychologist can help you build emotional regulation skills by retraining thought patterns to create a more positive and productive mindset. Techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness can help you better manage your emotions, experience personal growth, and improve your overall quality of life.
You Are Dealing With Relationship Issues
Many relationship issues—romantic, familial, or otherwise—stem from mental health issues such as insecure attachment styles, codependency, and poor emotional regulation. These difficulties can cause tension, misunderstandings, and strain between individuals in any kind of relationship.
Seeing a Licensed Clinical Psychologist can help you identify and address the root causes of relationship issues. Your therapist can aid in the development of skills such as mentalization, secure attachment styles, and establishing and following boundaries. Through expert mental health treatment, you can build stronger, healthier relationships moving forward.
Stress Is Hard To Manage
Stress is a normal part of life, but when your stress levels rise above what you can manage, you can experience new issues. Poor stress management may result in health problems, impaired cognitive function, difficulty sleeping, and other physical and mental health challenges. In the long term, it may even affect work performance and personal relationships.
If you find yourself struggling to manage stress effectively, it is a good indicator that you should consider seeing a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. A therapist can assist you in identifying the root causes of how you experience stress, develop stress management skills, and build resilience. With their expertise, they can help you gain insights into what triggers stress. They can also help you learn mindfulness, emotional regulation, and problem-solving skills to reduce stress levels and achieve balance in your life.
You Are Not Meeting Your Goals
Not everyone who sees a therapist is struggling with a mental health disorder. Many individuals choose to work with therapists to improve various aspects of their lives, such as thought patterns, motivations, and self-esteem.
Furthermore, working with a Licensed Clinical Psychologist can help you set and achieve both personal and professional goals. From personal improvement methods, such as building a healthier lifestyle, to professional achievements, such as pursuing career milestones, a therapist can help you create effective strategies to accomplish your objectives. They can help you recognize and handle setbacks, overcome internal and external obstacles, and ultimately assist you in realizing your full potential. By working with a therapist, you can become the best version of yourself possible.
You Are Facing a Major Transition
Life is full of changes. Some changes are small, like buying a new pair of shoes because your favorite pair finally wore out. But some changes are massive, including marriage, death, becoming a parent, changing your career, or moving to a new place. These periods of change and transition can be difficult, even if they are positive.
Working with a mental health professional can give you the support you need during these tumultuous times. Licensed Clinical Psychologists specialize in guiding people through major life transitions and will help you work through grief, manage anxiety, and address any other mental health challenges that may arise. By seeking assistance from a therapist during times of significant change, you can better handle your emotions and adapt to your new circumstances in a healthier, more effective manner.
You Have Experienced a Traumatic Event
Trauma is one of the biggest reasons why people see a therapist, but there are many who have experienced a traumatic event and do not get the help they need. Some people might avoid seeing a therapist because they do not feel that their trauma is deserving of help. For example, many people think that only combat veterans or people who have experienced violent assault can develop PTSD. But the truth is PTSD—and other Trauma Disorders—can stem from countless experiences, including natural disasters, witnessing violence, or the sudden death of a loved one. If you have experienced trauma, seeing a therapist can help you work through the emotional pain and provide healthy strategies to aid in recovery.
You Use Maladaptive Coping Techniques
When stress, anxiety, and other negative thoughts and emotions build up, it is tempting to turn to things that offer instant relief. One of the most common examples of this is having a drink after a hard day. Your favorite drink can help you relax and forget about the stress of the day. However, it does not offer a lasting solution for what made your day so difficult.
When drinking to relieve stress becomes a habit, it can turn into an addiction and cause numerous physical and mental health problems on top of the stress you already face. This is why it is a maladaptive coping technique. Other examples of maladaptive coping techniques include:
- Overeating or undereating
- Excessive reliance on technology or social media
- Procrastination
- Self-harm
- Withdrawing from friends or loved ones
Seeing a therapist provides an opportunity to identify and address these harmful habits and find healthier ways to cope with life’s challenges.
Your Mental Health Affects Everything Else
Many people think they can just deal with mental health issues on their own. However, once those issues start impacting all aspects of life—such as job performance, relationships, social life, hobbies, sleep, hygiene, and physical health—it is time to seek professional help.
Licensed Clinical Psychologists specialize in understanding and treating Mental Health Disorders and all the ways they impact your life. They can help you identify where your mental health challenges are coming from and how your symptoms manifest. From there, you can find effective treatment to overcome the challenges you face, build a more positive mindset, and find meaning and control in your life once more.
Seeking professional help is the first step to recovery and healing. If you are looking for a team of Irvine therapists who can help you through your mental health journey, turn to the experts at Blair Wellness Group. With years of experience and Concierge-Style Therapy tailored to your specific needs, we will help you build a healthier, more positive lifestyle for yourself. Book your first appointment and see how proper mental health care can transform your life.
