If you've been in therapy before, you're likely aware that it can be a life-changing endeavor. If you haven't, you may not know what to look for in a therapist or counselor. Either way, you might not know what questions you should ask a potential psychotherapist.

Often when most people consider psychotherapy, they've tried just about everything else to create adjustments to their lives. Yet nothing has helped - certainly not for very long. When emotional suffering becomes anguish, it's not at all unusual for people to ask themselves, "Why not try therapy? I have to to stop the pain."

Sadly, any time we're suffering a lot, we often don't think well, and numerous people turn to counseling and psychotherapy (be it for individual psychotherapy, couples therapy, or family counseling) without questioning the potential counselor.

But the truth is, there is much more to choosing a mental health professional besides lifting up a phone and making an appointment.

Asking the Right Questions

Almost any person can refer to themselves as a counselor, so finding an individual to work with on the basis of this title provides limited information about the person's qualifications, education or background and hardly any protection if you receive inadequate service.

Titles, such as marriage and family therapist, licensed clinical social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist can only be used by persons with the corresponding credentials who've received specific education and training.

Furthermore, licensed mental health practitioners such as these should be members in good standing with their respective licensing bodies. Verifying this information will allow you to know something about the education and training the mental health provider has received and provide you some degree of protection in the event your receive poor or improper treatment.

However, verifying a counselor's license and credentials doesn't provide much information about their specific training, expertise and whether they'll be able to meet your needs.

The only way you can know if a counselor or therapist is qualified to provide you the services you need is to ask them direct questions, such as:

What age ranges do you treat?

What issues do you handle?

What kind of education and training have you had?

How many years have you been providing therapy?

Have you been in therapy?

How do you work with people to help them get well?

Do you belong to any professional organizations?

Do you update your education and training?

You needn't ask all of these - especially in a first session when you need a lot of time to talk yourself. But do ask them. And trust your sense of safety with the therapist in the first session. One of the most important determinants of successful counseling is the connection or "fit" between you and your therapist. If you don't feel comfortable and safe with the therapist you're working with, it will be nearly impossible for you to do the deep honest work necessary to heal and grow.

Beyond ascertaining the credentials, training, and competencies of a therapist and how relaxed and secure you are using them, the therapist will want to ask several questions regarding you and your situation. They too need to ensure there is a good match relating your personality, expectations and aims with who they are and the treatments they provide.

The therapist is likely to ask you what brings you to counseling, as well as about your family and overall background. They will often also inquire about your childhood, schooling, social relationships, intimate partnerships, professional and current circumstances.

Don't forget, even excellent counselors aren't going to be the most helpful for every individual, and no therapist can competently treat anything and everything. When considering a therapist, have them provide an example of a problem that is outside the extent of their practice, or that they are insufficiently educated to treat. If they can't or do not reply, you've just done away with a prospect. Every mental health professional should be prepared to refer you to other providers at your request.

Where to Begin Your Search

To identify a therapist or counselor suited to you, start off your research by asking a doctor, local clergy or some other professionals you trust for referrals.

You can even ask trusted friends or family, or you can browse the Internet for counselors near you. Just remember, a first-class advertisement or website doesn't make a counselor experienced or suitable. Ask the counselor about their credentials and experience directly, regardless of whether you obtain a recommendation from a reliable person.

Similar to determining any professional to work with, doing due diligence and making a thorough assessment about whom to use will increase the chance that therapy will meet your needs and allow you to achieve your objectives. You shouldn't be self-conscious or frightened to ask point-blank questions... After all, your future health, well-being and happiness is at stake!

Mark Tinley is a counselor and therapist in Pasadena, CA, where he specializes in providing therapy and counseling services.

Posted under depression

Dreams of falling are by far one of most common dreams we experience, yet is one of the most feared type of dream. This type of dream can be as simple as falling out of bed or it can be as extreme as falling from a building, mountain, ladder, cliff or out of a airplane with no parachute, to name just a few.

But regardless of the height you're falling from in a dream, the encounter is generally terrifying for the dreamer, because of the complete lost of physical control the dreamer experiences in the dream that is often compounded by a sudden overwhelming fear of dying or hurt in the dream. As a result of this type of dream, the dreamer generally awakes in a hyperventilated state, filled with anxiety, sweating, struggling for breath and heart pounding as if it is about to burst out of their chest.

Common Causes Of Falling Dreams

Although there are many reason why a person experiences dreams of falling, the most common seem to be: guilt, fear of a situation, problem, crisis or dilemma the dreamer is experiencing in the natural where they have little or no control over or answers for. As a result, the individual is generally suffering feelings of helplessness both physically and emotionally in the natural and in their dream states, often opening the chance for experiencing a dream of falling a near falling down type of dream.

Often the extent or the emotional depth of the falling dream is determined by the intensity of the guilt, situation, problem, crisis or dilemma the dreamer is experiencing in the natural in their awake states.

Although Falling Dreams are most often the result of a loss of power, fear, guilt or no control, there is yet another factor that often plays into the psyche of the dreamer's dream equation, and that is self punishment. It is not uncommon for a dreamer, because of a loss of power, control and guilt to subconsciously try to punish themselves in their dream state because they believe either consciously or subconsciously that they are responsible and should carry the blame of others for the events occurring in their lives.

Other Causes For Falling Dreams

Doubt, a rebellious attitude, lies of deception, betrayal, indecision, fear, confusion, and being in denial to a truth compel dreams of falling. Also represented may be insecurity in a marriage, relationship, family dynamic, career, workplace and finances.

Among other causes of Falling Dreams can be the result of an inferiority or inadequacy the dreamer has or feels he has in regards to his career, workplace, relationships, marriage that is causing the dreamer to feel he is not going to measure up to the challenges demanded of him.

Based on the dreamer's circumstances, dreams of falling can be the result of shame, sorrow, lack of confidence or pride in oneself in regards to the dreamer's lifetime accomplishments. And because of these feelings, the dreamer often feels that he is looked down on and many time not accepted or made to feel included with others.

To the Christian, falling most often represents and is symbolic of sin or a demonic attack on their finances, career, workplace or a family member through others.

Learn all you need to know about interpreting your dreams Free dream meanings. Visit the dream website that answers all of your dream questions Free dream analysis Find out what your dreams are telling you.

Posted under depression

Bipolar disorder is also known as BPD or perhaps known as manic depression and is a disorder that's characterized by severe mood swings. Moodiness happens to all of us; however, a person that has bipolar disorder suffers from extremes of both major depression and extreme enjoyment as well as over optimism.

Sometimes it is dangerous since the depression may be so severe these people can't function during those times and think about or even act out thoughts of suicide. On the other hand, the excited (upswing) may lead to risky conduct such as over spending, and activities they might not normally participate in.

Many persons with bipolar mood disorder may also enjoy times of normality between the mood swings where they function and feel much like everyone else. Certain people with BPD might experience mood swings often and of shorter duration and others could have lengthier durations of each mood.

Bipolar disorder may start as early as the teen years but a diagnosis may be delayed because the moodiness could be ignored as being normal teen moodiness or even attributed to ADHD. By age 25, the symptoms are more definite and a diagnosis made less difficult.

Further complicating a proper diagnosis of BPD is the fact an individual might experience mixed states and have signs and symptoms of both depressive and manic states present at the same time.

The cause of BPD are not known, some researchers believe there might be a hereditary connection however research results are inconsistent. However, persons that later develop BPD may display signs and symptoms in childhood. Based on some research the signs and symptoms are so subtle they can be easily mistaken as normal behavior or another matter like ADHD.

Adults being affected by BPD will have difficulties in most aspects of their lives. The high periods cause these people to become over upbeat, engage in high risk conduct, as well as be financially indiscreet or sexually promiscuous. These issues can be endless.

During periods of depression, the individual struggling with bipolar mood disorder may not be in a position to function or to maintain employment. Committing suicide can be a danger also.

There's a lot of drugs that might be used to deal with BPD. The explanation for that is that though certain prescription drugs are effective on some individuals, other people show absolutely no signs of improvement.

Lithium is the only prescription medication proven to reduce the occurrence of committing suicide in despondent BPD patients. The drug Lamotrigine has been shown to be successful in protecting against depression symptoms in some bipolar sufferers. Antipsychotic drugs might be used to treat agitation of the BPD patient while in the manic phases.

When signs and symptoms are relieved and mood swings are in remission the affected person still must continue taking the medication or a backslide is likely. Certain people with BPD describe the effect of the medicine as causing them to feel dull or drugged. This complicates treatment compliance with sufferers with BPD.

There are successful treatments for persons with bipolar disorder and mood stabilizers can be a major portion of the treatment plan when helping stabilize the patient with bipolar disorder. Because the moodiness may be so harmful to personal relationships, financial status and job performance BPD is going to be treated aggressively in most instances.

Anne Durrel comes from California. She has, combined, over 3 years of experience in Bipolar and ADHD. You may want to check out her other guide on Bipolar Symptoms tips and symptoms of bipolar guide.

Posted under Uncategorized