Fostering relationships that support recovery! Since 1955, Friends has continually advocated for mental health services for Loudoun families and works to collaborate with mental health service providers, agencies, organizations, advocates and consumers to enhance programs and fill gaps in mental health services.
Tomorrow has arrived! Improved treatments, new social supports for employment, housing and a host of other services needed to sustain recovery, significant progress in the realm of criminal justice, widespread education efforts, and a strong and vital consumer movement – these and other innovations are making possible what just a few years ago seemed unattainable for many people living with mental illness…
RECOVERY is a process, beginning with diagnosis and eventually moving into successful management of your mental illness (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill)
Mental illnesses are real, treatable brain diseases. Methods of treatment may include:
Medication – many mental illnesses and their symptoms can be treated with medications. Medication does not control people. Medication corrects chemical imbalances, enabling most people who receive treatment to stop suffering and lead productive lives;
Psychotherapy – this method includes individual, family and group therapy facilitated by mental health professionals. Psychotherapy can help people:
- Understand the illness,
- Learn how to deal with any problems caused by the illness,
- Make positive changes in their lives.
Electroconvulsive therapy – for cases in which medication and/or psychotherapy does not help alleviate a persons treatment–resistant depression, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be useful. ECT, formerly known as "shock therapy," once had a bad reputation. But in recent years, it has greatly improved and can provide relief for people with severe depression who have not been able to feel better with other treatments.
Why is this choice so important?
Therapy is a collaborative process, so finding the right match – someone with whom you have a sense of rapport – is critical. After you find someone, keep in mind that therapy is work and sometimes can be painful. However, it also can be rewarding and life changing.
Can a therapist share what I have said during therapy?
You can rest assured that all mental health professionals are ethically bound to keep what you say during therapy confidential. However, therapists also are bound by law to report information such as threats to blow up a building or to harm another person, for example.
What are the steps for choosing a therapist?
1. See your primary care physician to rule out a medical cause of your problems. If your thyroid is "sluggish," for example, your symptoms-such as loss of appetite and fatigue-could be mistaken for depression. You may also ask a friend for a referral.
2. After you know your problems are not caused by a medical condition, find out what the mental health coverage is under your insurance policy or through Medicaid/Medicare.
3. You may call Loudoun County Mental Health Services (703.777.0377) for a list of private practioners in Loudoun County or use the direct link to Psychology Today’s Find a Therapist Directory (http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/county/VA/Loudoun.html).
4. Plan to interview one or more therapists before you set up an initial appointment. Ask about training and background. Tell them the issues you would like help with.
5. Get two or three referrals before making an appointment. Specify age, sex, race, or religious background if those characteristics are important to you.
6. Call to find out about appointment availability, location, and fees. Ask the receptionist
- Does the mental health professional offer a sliding-scale fee based on income? (Loudoun County Mental Health Services will provide services to County residents who have limited financial resources. If you are interested in County services, please call 703.777.0377 to discuss details.)
- Does he or she accept your health insurance or Medicaid/Medicare? Discuss your insurance with the office staff to confirm that your insurance will pay for mental health services, and how many visits you are allowed in one year.
7. Make sure the therapist has experience helping people whose problems are similar to yours. You may want to ask the receptionist about the therapists expertise, education, and number of years in practice.
8. If you are satisfied with the answers, make an appointment. See if you can set up an in-person interview before you commit to anything. It is important you find someone who makes you feel comfortable. When you find someone you like, make a commitment with the therapist for a certain number of sessions before you decide to continue or not to continue with this therapist.
9. During your first visit, describe those feelings and problems that led you to seek help. Find out:
- What kind of therapy/treatment program he or she recommends;
- Whether it has proven effective for dealing with problems such as yours;
- What the benefits and side effects are;
- How much therapy the mental health professional recommends; and
- Whether he or she is willing to coordinate your care with another practitioner if you are personally interested in exploring credible alternative therapies, such as acupuncture
10. Be sure the psychotherapist does not take a "cookie cutter" approach to your treatment. What-works for one person does not necessarily work for another. Different psychotherapies and medications are tailored to meet specific needs.
11. Although the role of a therapist is not to be a friend, rapport is a critical element of successful therapy. After your initial visit, take some time to explore how you felt about the therapist.
12. If the answers to these questions and others you come up with are "yes," schedule another appointment to begin the process of working together to understand and overcome your problems. If the answers to most of these questions are "no," call another mental health professional from your referral list and schedule another appointment.
These people have been trained to diagnose and treat various forms of mental illnesses.
Board Certified Diplomat (BCD) is certified by a national board and is a clinical social worker who has at least five years experience and who qualifies for certification through testing.
Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) is a certified by the State of Virginia as a specialist in addictions counseling only.
Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP) is recognized and certified by the American Group Psychotherapy.
Clinical Psychologist (PHD or PsyD) holds a doctorate degree n psychology, and must be licensed by the state and certified by the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.
Counselor includes psychiatric nurses, clergy, social workers, etc. who are trained in various counseling techniques.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) holds a Master’s or Doctorate of Social Work (MSW or DSW) with specialization in clinical practice and should be licensed by the state.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) holds a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or related clinical field with special training in family systems, theory, and therapy.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) holds a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling should have specialized training in a clinical setting and be licensed by the state.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Specialist (RN, CS) is a nurse with a master’s or higher degree, skilled in the practice of psychiatric and mental health nursing, should have completed the certification profess, and should be licenses by the state.
Psychiatrist (MD) is a medical doctor trained in psychiatry who can prescribe medication. They must be licensed by the state where they practice.
Psychoanalyst may or may not have a degree in medicine, and uses a special form of therapy based on one-to-one “talking out” of deep-seated problems.
Registered Art Therapist (ATR) is a recognized and certified by the American Art Therapy Association.
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If you or someone you know is in crisis, call
- 911 (local emergency services in Loudoun County)
- 703.777.0320 (Emergency Intervention Services, Loudoun County Mental Health)
- 703.547.4077 (Crisis Link Regional Hotline)
- 1.800.273.TALK (National Suicide Prevention Hotline)
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What is Mental Health | Child and Adolescent Mental Health | Recovery From Mental Illnesses |
Mental Illnesses and Disorders | Depression Screening Test |Suicide Prevention |
Warning Signs of Depression | Warning Signs of Stress | Warning Signs of Suicide
