Real Talk on Mental Health: Tips & Truths from Local Therapists
- Meredith Ellison
- 4d
- 3 min read
May is Mental Health Awareness month so we asked some experts in our community for tips! Enjoy this Q&A with members of the Brewerytown Therapy Collective:
What do you wish more people knew about mental health?
Alex: Hi there! I want to remind folks that mental health is not always what you're seeing on your streaming services. For example, the portrayal of addiction recovery in a dramedy, could be sensationalized in a way that is overdramatic or disrespectful. I’d like to debunk the misconception of addiction as a person's choice, rather than their medical condition, in the hope that it will be taken seriously. The power of documentaries, podcasts, memoirs, articles, music, art and other media is that through storytelling we get a much more diverse understanding of this illness, including a key takeaway: although it affects everyone differently, addiction does not discriminate. I can confirm, after working with people of all ages, backgrounds, ethnicities, career paths, social economic statuses, and genders, that basically, if we have human brains, we are susceptible to this illness. If you're interested, I'd suggest talking to people, looking at documentaries, or other resources whose primary purposes are to educate and share stories. Lastly, I'd like to remind folks that in mental health, healing doesn't occur in a straight line and it doesn't always fit under a label or into a box, it's what works for you.
What book/film or other educational content on a mental health topic would you recommend people check out right now?
Farhana: I can't recommend the show Couples Therapy on Showtime enough. Each season of the show follows several couples over the course of many months as they work through their issues in couples therapy. It's a documentary series, so all of the couples are real as is the therapist Orna Guralnik, a psychoanalytically trained therapist based in New York. It offers the most accurate, raw, and in-depth depiction of what therapy is like that I've seen depicted in the media.
Alex: On a different note, the other day I listened to a Podcast episode called "The Science of Journaling: How Writing Reduces Overthinking, Rumination, And Anxiety with Dr. James Pennebaker (Co-Interviewed By Dr. Bianca Harris)". If you're wondering why so many mental health counselors are always suggesting that you try journaling, check out this episode. The interviewee explains how and why it works, but reminds us that if it doesn't work for you, don't do it! You can find this episode on the 10% Happier with Dan Harris podcast from November, 2024. A note for those planning to take a listen, there are promotional ads in the episode, so I'd skip through those if that annoys you.
How have you seen the conversation around mental health change over the past few years?
Farhana: I've noticed that overall mental health (and therapy) is less stigmatized as a facet of our daily lives, in people of all ages. I've gotten calls from older clients looking for therapy for the first time in their lives. How incredible is it that a man in his 60's now feels comfortable coming to therapy for the first time to address stressors that have existed his whole life? Related to that, people seem to be much more comfortable owning how their feelings influence them on a day to day—it's refreshing to be a part of so many conversations that sprinkle in the real stuff.
How to Find a Mental Health Professional That’s Right for You:
Makenzie: Finding the right mental health professional can feel a little overwhelming at first, but it’s absolutely worth taking the time to get it right. Start by thinking about what you’re looking for help with—are you dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, trauma, or maybe relationship challenges? Different therapists have different specialties, so knowing your goals can help narrow things down. From there, look into the types of therapy-- such as art therapy, EMDR, Internal Family Systems, play therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, etc. Many therapists offer a free initial consultation, which is a great way to get a feel for their personality and see if you connect with them. Starting therapy can feel scary, so the most important thing is that you feel safe, understood, and comfortable with them. We would suggest having a few consultation calls before deciding who best fits your needs!
If you’re interested in exploring the option to work with one of us, we’d love to hear from you. You can find our contact information and reach out with any questions or to schedule a consultation through the website.
