Healthy is a State
of Mind
Understanding
therapy
by Nina Danielson, MSW
TWEENS & TEENS News December
2007
When our noses run, our throats are sore or
we are stuck in bed with fevers, we take care
of ourselves. Whether the remedy is medication
from a doctor, chicken soup from Mom or just
rest mixed with hours of daytime television,
we are prepared to do just about anything to
get well again and on with our lives. We all
know that if we pretended nothing were wrong
physically and we went about life as usual—
staying up late, stressing out about homework
and meeting friends to celebrate the weekend—
we would wake up one day feeling far worse than
before. Yet, when it comes to mental health,
we often do just the opposite.
Everyone has experienced sadness, fear, grief,
anxiety and stress. These are common emotions.
But sometimes these emotions stick around longer
than we would like them to and begin to make
us feel uneasy and unwell. Yet, feeling uncertain
about mental health and how to treat related
problems, we tend to bottle up everything inside
and continue to live as though our problems
will naturally dissipate. “I’m not
crazy,” you likely say. “I don’t
need help. Why should I see a therapist?”
Crazy you might not be, but just like an ear
infection or cold, a mental health problem not
dealt with directly can exacerbate the issue.
Left unchecked, even what seems like a minor
mental health problem can cause unneeded stress
for your mind and body.
When Sad Feelings Linger
•If you have a therapist already, talk
to him or her.
•If you are looking for a first or new
therapist, ask your doctor or a trusted friend
if he or she can recommend a professional.
•Remember that seeking help is a sign
of strength and not weakness.
•You are the consumer. Make sure your
mental needs are met.
•Get support from a friend, but remember
that friends are not professionals and cannot
be your therapists— even if they are
peer mediators or have some level of training.
Therapy is a sign of respect for yourself
and your well-being. It’s a sign that
you are ready to stop dealing with the same
old mental blocks over and over. A trusting
relationship with a skilled and caring therapist
helps us revisit some of the material that
may be frightening, painful or anger-provoking.
Seeking support from a therapist can guide
you as you work through troubling feelings
and behaviors, and help you get on with your
life.
Finding a good therapist might take time and
energy. Heed recommendations from people you
respect. However, you have a right to find
someone else whom you feel comfortable with,
someone who is “your type.” If
you are suffering from severe depression or
have thoughts of suicide, contact your physician
or the Mental Health America crisis hotline
at 1(800)273-TALK.
Nina Danielson, MSW, is a seasoned therapist
and lecturer with 40 years of experience in
the mental health field, and the author of
What to Do When Your Therapist Isn’t
There (Hatherleigh Press). She earned her
master’s degree in social work from
Columbia University and is an advisor for
The Compassionate Friends, a support network
for bereaved parents and siblings. Danielson
maintains a private practice on Cape Cod,
Massachusetts, where she lives with her husband
and three-and-a-half dogs (the couple shares
custody of a grand-dog with one of their sons).
