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Mental Health Articles:

by Marla J. Britton, MS, NCC, LMHC

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by something you just can’t sleep? You think about your experience as your head rests against the pillow. Your thoughts are racing and you are upset. You stare at the bedside clock wondering if the exhaustion you feel will soon take over your body so you can get the rest you need. Before you know it, the alarm sounds and you get up. And you are exhausted.

Have you ever felt like you were trapped? Maybe it’s due to your job, or your classes, or your relationships, or your finances.

Have you ever felt like no matter what you do, it looks like your life is not getting better? Maybe it feels like you worry all the time and never seem to find the answers.

Have you ever felt so alone that even when you are in a room full of people, the isolation you feel is so real, so encompassing that you might even have trouble breathing?

There are times in life when circumstances are not in our control. You know that saying “Life Happens?” Well, there are many consequences to when “Life Happens.” Some of these consequences cause the stress, anxiety, and other issues noted earlier. These are all perfect examples of times to see a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).

There is a stigma associated with counseling as if seeing a Counselor means there is something wrong with a person. Licensed Mental Health Counselors focus on wellness and begin a therapeutic relationship with people built on trust, healing and compassion. LMHCs do not look at what is wrong with a person. They do not judge people. They are goal-oriented therapists who believe in helping individuals resolve their inner conflicts and achieve their personal goals. Licensed Mental Health Counselors help provide people with the foundation to change and develop the necessary tools in life to make appropriate decisions and create appropriate boundaries. LMHCs work with people to develop the necessary skills and tools needed to live a fulfilling life.

Have you ever started a project in your home? Say, painting a room, building a deck, or planning a holiday meal? Each of these projects requires planning, a time commitment, and proper tools. One wouldn’t necessarily use a hammer to paint a room, hopefully, but would probably use a hammer to build a deck. Someone most likely would not use a paint roller to bake a holiday dinner, either. The point is, different undertakings require different tools and sometimes there is a learning curve to utilizing the proper tool.

Licensed Mental Health Counselors guide people in learning to utilize the proper tools to develop the necessary skills in life to live an emotionally balanced life. Everyone has a problem. That certainly does not mean there is something wrong with them. It might mean the problem requires a skill that hasn’t been fully developed yet. Wouldn’t it feel good to be able to start a project, devote some time to it, experience the progress and encounter a sense of accomplishment….to your own mental health? Imagine what a good night’s sleep would feel like then.

To find a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, click on Find a Counselor.