Best Ways To Maintain Mental Health Without A Therapist

TreatmentNovember 6, 2022

Ever since the covid-19 pandemic hit, rates of anxiety and depression have been sky-high and because of this, the mental health crisis has only gotten worse as there is a shortage of mental health counselors. Many therapists seem to have stopped entertaining new clients, while others have long waiting lists. So, what does one do when in need of help? In this article, we have listed down advice from mental health professionals on how to deal with this issue to help themselves if and when needed. Here is what the mental health specialist recommended.

See A Trainee Therapist

A licensed psychologist known by the name of Johnathan Schettino has a private practice in Baltimore. He said that most people hesitate to go to a therapist undergoing training. However, people don’t know that doing so can work out in their favor. The foremost advantage you’ll get is that you will have two people checking your case instead of one.

Alex Green/Pexels | Seeing a trainee can benefit your case with two opinions, one professional and the other semi-professional

Look For College Health Centers

A large number of colleges and universities have mental health centers or counseling centers. These centers conduct many therapy sessions for students enrolled in the respective colleges. Once the center is packed with clients, they sometimes refer students to other therapists.

Try Apps

Apps such as Talkspace and BetterHelp are made so that you can reach out and engage with a therapist who is licensed and will help you until you get to see one face-to-face. Other apps, such as Headspace and Calm, mainly focus on guided meditation, which is helpful for anxiety and stress. Some therapists claim that these exercises are beneficial no matter where you are in your therapeutic journey.

Pixabay/Pexels | Trying out apps can be very helpful when a therapist is not available for you

Join A Therapy Group

An excellent resource for you is therapy groups or support groups that are held by professional mental health experts. A support group aims to comfort people and make them feel better while they’re coping with complicated feelings such as depression and anxiety, abuse, substance, and/or grief. These sessions are to help people with similar diagnoses feel like they are supported by each other as they work toward improvement

SHVETS production/Pexels | A therapy group session can help you feel normal and not out of place while going through a difficult time

Look For Self-Help Options

Regardless of whether you have found a therapist or not, be open to activities that promote self-help, such as watching Ted Talks, reading books, and trying out stress-reducing activities as well, such as yoga, meditation, and exercise.