Deciding to seek professional assistance is a brave first step. Acknowledging that what you are experiencing can be better managed with help takes courage. The desire to live a better life can be a powerful motivator and therapy can help you to get there. Faced with this decision, you may be wondering who’s the right mental health professional to seek help from. Beginning with a therapist can be a great place to start!

There are many types of mental health and behavioral health professionals/programs out there, all helpful and beneficial in their own right. Deciding where to start can be daunting. You may find yourself trying to decide between seeing a psychiatrist, a therapist, going into an intensive program etc. Doing your research is important and you may wish to consult with your primary care physician as well for guidance.

If you are in need of a mental/behavioral health professional, there are benefits to beginning with a therapist:

1. Therapists can assess your symptoms to determine the kind of help you need. Therapists are trained and licensed to evaluate your symptoms, make a diagnosis, make treatment recommendations and provide the treatment you need. If you and your therapist feel that medication might be necessary or any other types of intervention they can refer you to one!
2. Seeing a therapist can be a supportive first step. If you are feeling weighed down by intrusive symptoms, life concerns – parenting, marital conflict, overwhelm in the workplace, etc. –a friendly, well trained therapist can help you sort out what you need. A therapist will be able to take a look at everything you are facing and develop a plan specifically tailored to your own unique needs.
3. Counselors can help you improve your functioning. Aside from assessing your symptoms and circumstances, therapists will also discuss with you the treatment options. If your symptoms are affecting your functioning, a therapist can help you to learn new approaches and coping skills to function at your best.
4. You may not wish to begin with medications. Even most medical professionals agree that there is no reason to use psychotropic medications if you can get better with therapy. Therapists have a lot of tools and strategies to help you modify your lifestyle, manage your reactions or control your moods, making you feel and think better. If medication management is something you aren’t comfortable with, starting with a therapist may be best for you.
5. Therapists can lead you to good psychiatrists. If you and your therapist decide that you may benefit from medication management, they can help to refer you to a psychiatrist. Your therapist can assist you in identifying your symptoms and how to effectively communicate their needs to a prospective psychiatrist.
6. Therapists can consult with a psychiatrist, should there be a need. With your permission, your therapist could collaborate with your psychiatrist, creating a helpful treatment team to develop a plan to best help you.

If you feel that you are not at your best, and that therapy might be a great place to start getting there, make sure that your first stop isn’t just any therapist. We have kind, caring and knowledgeable therapists ready to help you start living the life you deserve. Call Carolina Counseling Services – Fayetteville, NC to schedule your first appointment with one of our independently contracted therapists.