Category: Psychotherapy

Happiness – Making a Change

What Is Happiness?

If you are thinking about changing your life for the better, one way to start is by identifying your goals. You are probably hoping to find some version of happiness or emotional well-being. That might look like any combination of the following:

A sense of freedom

Self-esteem
Self-confidence
Happy to get up in the morning
Working toward goals
A sense of purpose in life
Satisfying relationships

What Is Unhappiness?

If you are thinking about changing your life, you may be experiencing some combination of the following elements:

Feeling sad, lethargic or depressed
Feeling afraid
Abusing or being addicted to alcohol or drugs
Feeling lonely
Anxiety
Problems with relationships
Not getting what you want in life; feeling frustrated in working toward goals
Not caring enough to have goals

How Will You Change?

When you decide to change your life, try the following ideas.

Explore your feelings. Keep a journal, talk to a trusted friend, work with a professional counselor.
Envision your future. Write in a journal, make a collage, do a guided visualization, talk to a friend or counselor, research the possibilities.
Explore wishes and dreams. Keep a journal, talk to a trusted friend, work with a professional counselor.
Be open to new ideas. Take a class, travel, say yes to things you may have avoided in the past.
Look for kindred spirits. Avoid people who make you feel bad about yourself, seek out those who make you blossom, reach out to those with similar interests and dreams.
Try something different. Deliberately buy new items, try different brands, shop at different stores, do the opposite of what you usually do, see different movies, read different kinds of books and magazines.
Set goals and targets. Learn how to set useful goals, follow through, evaluate progress regularly, reward yourself for achievement.
Take one step at a time. Divide your goals into tiny pieces and do one small new thing each day, starting now.
Look for lessons. Remind yourself that experiences are not good or bad; they are simply lessons.

How to Overcome Your Resistance to Change

Have you ever noticed that when you think about changing your life, you feel resistant? Many people say that they not only feel resistant, but they actually do things to keep their lives familiar. They do things like start a diet and then eat a candy bar on the first day, or quit smoking and then sneak a puff.

There are some things you can do to make yourself less resistant. Here are six effective strategies:

Eliminate clutter. Clutter can be viewed as a sign of uncertainty. Accumulating “stuff” might be stopping you from committing to an important thing. If you keep a lot of half-started projects around, it makes it difficult to zero in on the really important things.
Start small. Thinking of your overall goal can be overwhelming. So manage your resistance by choosing one small part of it and attacking it today. Let’s say your goal is to lose 20 pounds. That can certainly seem like an impossible thing to accomplish. It will seem more doable if you tell yourself, I’m going to lose five pounds by (date).
Disprove your disempowering beliefs. In Reinventing Your Life, authors Young and Klosko suggest that you identify the beliefs that keep you from succeeding. They offer a way to dispute those beliefs by asking, “Is there really an evidence today that this belief is true?” They suggest making a list of the evidence.
Remind yourself of all of your available options. You always have alternatives and the power to choose among them.
Take responsibility for what you want. Look for signs that you are blaming your situation on others or not admitting past mistakes. Acknowledge them and move on.
Visualize the future. Author Barbara Sher suggests one way to do this: Write an imaginary press release about yourself. The date is today’s date, two years in the future. The press release is announcing the most extraordinary event you can think of. It doesn’t matter whether this event seems only vaguely possible to you. The important thing is that it is exciting to imagine.

When to Seek Professional Help

Sometimes it makes sense to find a professional counselor to work with as you work through the change process. Here are some ways to know when that would be appropriate:

You’ve tried several things but you still have the problem.
You want to find a solution sooner rather than later.
You have thoughts of harming yourself or others.
You have symptoms of depression, anxiety, or another disorder that are significantly interfering with your daily functioning and the quality of your life. For example, you have lost time from work, your relationships have been harmed, your health is suffering. These are signs that you may need the help of a trained, licensed professional.

Feel free to pass this along to a friend.

Suggested Reading

Martha Friedman, Overcoming the Fear of Success. New York, Warner Books, 1980.

Susan Jeffers, Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway. New York, Fawcett Columbine, 1987.

Barbara Sher, Live the Life You Love. New York Delacorte Press, 1996.

Jeffrey Young and Janet Klosko, Reinventing Your Life: How to Break Free from Negative Life Patterns and Feel Good Again. New York, Plume Books, 1994.

About Getting Help

In Psychotherapy, Self Help

When Should Someone Consult a Mental Health Professional?

Most of us experience times when we need help to deal with problems and issues that cause us emotional distress. When you are having a problem or dilemma that is making you feel overwhelmed, you may benefit from the assistance of an experienced, trained professional. Professional counselors and therapists offer the caring, expert assistance that people need during stressful times.

There are many types of mental health providers to choose from. The most important thing is to select a licensed professional who has the appropriate training and qualifications to help a person with your specific issues. You should also choose someone with whom you can feel comfortable enough to speak freely and openly.

Types of Problems

People seek the assistance of a mental health professional (MHP) for many different reasons. These are some of the most common:

You feel unhappy most of the time.
You worry all the time and are unable to find the solutions to your problems.
You feel extremely sad and helpless.
You feel nervous, anxious, and worried most of the time.
You have panic attacks.
You have a hard time concentrating.
Your emotional state is affecting your daily life: your sleep, eating habits, job, and relationships.
You are having a hard time functioning from day to day. Your emotional state is affecting your performance at work or school.
Your behavior is harmful to yourself or to others.
You are feeling impatient and angry with someone you are taking care of.
You are having problems with your family members or in other important relationships.
You or someone you care about has problems with substance abuse or other addictions.
You are the victim of sexual abuse or domestic violence.
You have an eating disorder.
You are having trouble getting over the death of someone you loved.
You or someone you love has a serious illness and you are having a hard time with it.
You feel lonely and isolated.
You are experiencing problems in a sexual relationship.
Your family has a lot of conflict and tension.
You are experiencing a divorce or marital separation.
You are having a hard time coping with change.
You often feel afraid, angry, or guilty.
You have a hard time setting and reaching goals.
Your child is having problems with behavior or school performance.
Your family is stressed because someone is ill.
You have a hard time talking with your partner, children, parents, family members, friends, or coworkers.
You are having problems dealing with your own sexual orientation or the sexual orientation of someone you care about.
You are planning to marry, and you have some concerns.
You have gotten a divorce and your family needs help adjusting.
You are part of a blended family and need help learning to live together.

Types of Mental Health Professionals

The most common MHPs in the United States are Psychologists, Marriage and Family Therapists, Social Workers, and Professional Counselors. Each state has its own licensing laws and standards that govern each type of professional. While all licensed MHPs can help most people with problems of living, each group has its own special training in specific areas that makes them more qualified for certain types of issues. In addition, each individual therapist has a unique set of experiences that makes him or her uniquely qualified to work with certain kinds of issues.

Of these four categories, Mr. Nash is licensed in two: (LMFT and LPC)

Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) generally have a master’s degree in psychology, counseling, or a related subject from an accredited school. In most states, they must complete a supervised internship period and pass a state licensing exam. Marriage and family therapists are trained to work with people, focusing on how they relate to others. While they often work with an individual client, the focus of treatment is the set of relationships that surround the client and how those relationships impact the client. MFTs are trained in psychotherapy and family systems. They are licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage, couples, and family systems. They work in a variety of settings with individuals, couples, families, children and adolescents, providing support and a fresh viewpoint as people struggle with life’s challenges. Mr. Nash is licensed as an LMFT, and is a supervisor for those learning to be LMFT’s.

Licensed Professional Counselors have a master’s degree in psychology, counseling, or a related subject from an accredited school. In most states, they must complete a supervised internship period and pass a state licensing exam. They are licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, as well as substance use disorders, and they work in a variety of settings with individuals, couples, families, children and adolescents, providing support and a fresh viewpoint as people struggle with life’s challenges. Mr. Nash is licensed as an LPC, and is a supervisor for those learning to be LPC’s.

Referral to Other Health Professionals

When it is in the best interest of the patient or outside the scope of the MHP’s license, therapists collaborate with and refer to other health professionals, such as physicians or psychiatrists in the case of prescribing medication.

Confidentiality

Each group of MHPs has strict ethical guidelines governing privacy and confidentiality. Clients of licensed MHPs can expect that discussions will be kept confidential, except as otherwise required or permitted by law. Examples of times when confidentiality must be broken are when child abuse has occurred or where the client threatens violence against another person.

When you are looking for a mental health professional to help you address your issues, it is very important to ask about a therapist’s qualifications to treat your specific concerns.

Feel free to pass this information along to a friend.

Visit these web sites to learn more:

www.aamft.org (National Association of Marriage and Family Therapy)

www.counseling.org (American Counseling Association)

A Consumer Guide to Working With LPC’s

In Psychotherapy

LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS – A Guide For Consumers

Setting the standard for experienced and qualified Mental Health Professionals

Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners

8631 Summa Ave. Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Tel: 225- 765- 2515 Fax: 225- 765- 2514

Who are Licensed Professional Counselors?

Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) provide psychotherapeutic services to treat you and your families with life crises, mental disorders and related mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, stress, grief, behavior problems, etc. LPCs are regulated by the LPC Board of Examiners, a state board whose members are appointed by the Louisiana Governor to carry out the general oversight of professional counselors in Louisiana. LPCs provide counseling services in accordance with state law and the board’s rules. This includes following the code of ethics that the board has established for the counseling profession. This brochure is intended to inform you of the ethical conduct that you may expect from your professional counselor. Your LPC has been trained to provide counseling services. They are to assist you through a therapeutic relationship, using a combination of mental health and human development principles and techniques, including the use of psychotherapy, to achieve your mental, emotional, physical, social, educational, spiritual, or career- related development and adjustment. An LPC may prevent, assess, valuate, and treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders and distresses that interfere with mental health. You may have occasion to ask questions that require legal, medical, or other specialized knowledge. If so, you should ask your attorney or primary care physician or ask your counselor for a referral to a specialist in your area of concern. Any concerns or complaints about a counselor should first be discussed between you and your counselor. If a satisfactory resolution has not been reached you may file a complaint with the board at the address or phone number provided on the front of this brochure. An LPC is required to be truthful when advertising counseling services to the public. You should receive accurate information regarding your counselor’s training and credentials, as well as the scope of what may be accomplished in counseling. You may visit the Board’s web page at www.lpcboard.org and view a roster of counselors to determine if a counselor is currently licensed.

Counseling is for you and your family

Counseling for you and your family will focus on enhancing your personal growth and your ability to cope with life’s problems. You may expect to be treated with dignity in a professional manner. When you invest yourself in the counseling process, you can experience the satisfaction of working successfully at some of the most important issues in your life. The guidelines established by the Board are aimed at promoting a positive counseling experience. You must make your own decisions regarding such things as deciding to marry, divorce, separate, reconcile, and how to set up custody and visitation with your counselor’s assistance in helping you understand the consequences of these decisions. You must also inform your counselor at any time there is a change in circumstances concerning your general physical health and any medical treatments and / or medications that may have an impact on your therapy. If you are dissatisfied with your relationship with your counselor or wish to see another counselor, you need to clearly terminate your counseling relationship before being seen by another counselor. Counseling, by its very nature, often deals with the most private aspects of your life. It is your counselor’s responsibility to ensure an atmosphere of safety for you, free from any kind of exploitation. The Board does not tolerate sexual misconduct by professional counselors. An LPC is prohibited from engaging in sexual contact, sexual exploitation, or therapeutic deception with a client or a former client.

Are my records kept confidential?

Licensed counselors will keep everything you discuss confidential, with a few exceptions. All clients will give signed permission before any information can be shared with anyone about any aspect of your counseling. If you are asked to give permission to share any information about you or your family, you will have an opportunity to specify who should receive information from your file, what information they are allowed to receive, the purpose for which they may use the information, and the period of time during which you are granting permission. Be sure to read carefully any “Release of Information” or “Consent” form you sign. If you have questions about the form, ask. The common situations requiring a release of information include certain inquiries from insurance companies, a new counselor wanting to use records from a previous counselor to provide continuing care, and collaboration with another agency or professional in your treatment such as your primary care physician, attorney, or psychiatrist. Sometimes, certain situations override your confidentiality. For example, if you are involved in a court case, the judge can order your file to be turned over to the court. If you make statements that a child or an elderly or disabled person has been abused or neglected, your counselor is required by law to report that information to the appropriate authorities. If you make statements that indicate you intend serious and imminent harm to yourself or others, your counselor may report that information to medical personnel or law enforcement. There are other similar situations that your counselor should discuss with you before or during your initial session. Parents have a right to receive progress reports on their child’s counseling. However, personal information shared by a child during an individual session will be kept confidential unless it involves imminent danger to the child or someone else. Children and adolescents will not confide in a counselor if they believe that personal information will be revealed to their parents.

What may I expect at my first counseling session?

At the first session you can expect to receive a copy of the “professional disclosure statement”, which is on file at the Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners office. This document is presented to inform you of the counselor’s highest relevant academic degree, any specialty training and certifications, the number of years of counseling experience, the types of clients served, and the length of sessions (usually 50 minute individual/ family sessions and 90 minute group sessions). It should also include all fees for service, method of payment accepted, information concerning billing practices, confidentiality, and how and where to file a complaint with the Board. The Professional Disclosure Statement is signed by you and your therapist and a copy should be available upon your request. Your counselor should create a comfortable climate with warmth, caring, and confidentiality so that you feel safe enough to develop a trusting therapeutic relationship. It is not uncommon for some psychological and behavior patterns to have been reinforced for a number of years. You might be asked to work both in and out of your counseling sessions completing homework and assignments to improve life skills. Other persons may be involved in the counseling process (for example, a team approach in the counseling office or the involvement of a local minister).

A Final Word Concerning Your Counseling Experience

A counseling relationship will be strictly professional in nature. Your counselor is not allowed to invite you into a business venture, ask you for personal favors, develop a friendship with you, or a romantic relationship. These relationships are called dual relationships and are unethical. If you seek counseling with a personal friend, or someone with whom you already had a business or other type of relationship, the LPC will refer you to another mental health professional. Your LPC may not engage in any working or personal relationship with you without informing you that future counseling will no longer be a possibility. Visit the board’s website for more information about licensed professional counselors. From this site, you may view or print the state laws and board rules that govern the provision of counseling services in Louisiana. Much of the success of your counseling experience depends on you. You are most likely to reap benefits from counseling if you are motivated, honest, and willing to work at self- improvement and self- awareness .

You have rights as a client. You have rights as a client. You have rights as a client. You have rights as a client. You have the right to expect prompt, professional and courteous service. You have the right to be served without discrimination as to sex, race, creed, color, religion, or national origin. You have the right to have the nature of the recommended treatment and any specific risks of such treatment carefully explained to you. You have the right to assist in your treatment plan, which should be tailored to meet your specific needs. You have the right to be told if your counselor cannot provide the services that you need. You have the right to refuse treatment or request a change in your treatment plan. You have the right to privacy. You have the right to privacy. Your case will not be discussed by the staff in front of visitors case will not be discussed by the staff in front of visitors case will not be discussed by the staff in front of visitors case will not be discussed by the staff in front of visitors or other clients.

This brochure was designed by Bonnie K. Coats and distributed by The Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners. This brochure may be reproduced for distribution.