FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hillary Angel
Phone: (909) 390-1239
E-mail:hangel@wilkinguge.com
Healthy Living: Seeking Help for a Mental Health Illness
San Diego, October 2007- To acknowledge World Mental Health Day, October
10, the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
remind Californians that mental health is as important as physical health
and should be not overlooked. Many face the stigma of seeking help for
a mental health illness, such as anxiety, addiction, depression, and
self-esteem or anger management.
Therapy manages a mental illness by exploring alternative ways to deal
with life’s challenges. A balanced healthy lifestyle can reduce
anxiety levels, increase energy and provide a sense of fulfillment. To
select a licensed professional, CAMFT provides these guidelines on how
to choose a therapist:
• Referrals from other professionals. Doctors,
lawyers, massage therapists, clergy members and teachers commonly hear
about the therapists
in their areas and can often assist in your search.
•
Word of mouth is also a great way to obtain referrals. If someone you
know has had success with a particular therapist, it is possible that
you might, too.
•
Visit California’s online resource, www.TherapistFinder.com to
read information about how to care for your mental health, and utilize
the free directory to locate and be matched with a highly qualified licensed
therapist using a zip code, name, location or clinical issue.
Psychotherapy can also help ease common sources of stress, including
family problems, heavy workloads or having to provide extensive care
for a loved one or aging parent. There are a variety of services available
and popular techniques include:
• Cognitive Therapy: Develops coping strategies
by focusing on unhealthy thought patterns and core beliefs to encourage
positive, health
and effective thought processes.
•
Behavioral Therapy: A technique that focuses on replacing undesirable
behavioral patters with rewarding behavior.
•
Group Therapy: Individuals discuss their thoughts, feelings and experiences
in a group setting that helps relate to others with the same needs.
•
Play Therapy: Includes a variety of techniques to help children express
their emotions by playing with dolls or toys, painting, sculpting, or
other activities.
On World Mental Health Day, Californians are encouraged to assess their
mental health by locating and consulting with a Marriage and Family Therapist
to discuss their mental health needs. To learn more about mental health
conditions and the services offered by Marriage and Family Therapists,
visit California’s online mental health resource, www.TherapistFinder.com.
About CAMFT
The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, with 27
chapters throughout the state, is an independent professional organization,
representing the interests of licensed Marriage and Family Therapists.
CAMFT provides www.TherapistFinder.com as a resource to the public
looking for Marriage and Family Therapists located in California. For
more information about CAMFT, please call (858) 292-2638 or visit www.camft.org.
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