When you’re living with a mental health problem, or helping someone who has, accessing to the right support is vital!

Have you or someone close to you, experienced mental ill-health before? Talking Therapies can be a great option to help you open up. You will be encouraged to talk through your thoughts and feelings with someone professionally trained to listen. How do you find the right support for you, with so many options available?

First off, let’s clarify what we mean when we refer to “talking therapies”… we include:

• counselling
• therapy
• psychotherapy
• coaching

Coaching V Counselling

In terms of getting the right support; and getting what you need, the case is “generally” pretty clear-cut.

If you’re struggling with a mental health condition, it’s important that you see someone who is suitably qualified to help you. You need a clinician – a doctor, counsellor, psychotherapist or psychiatrist.

If you’re feeling stuck in other ways though, you might benefit from another approach. And this is where coaching steps in.

Counsellors can support people with mental health conditions; coaches may not have this training. Anyone working as a counsellor should have suitable training to support those with mental health conditions. The title ‘counsellor’ isn’t legally protected, so you are encouraged to ask for their training and qualification details (especially if you’re seeking help for a specific condition). As standard, coaches aren’t required to have mental health training, but many do like MHFA or awareness or behaviour change qualifications, nonetheless, they will not be able to help with specific conditions. Coaches can, however, be a great support for your overall wellbeing aspirations, helping you manage stress and move forward in life.

To summarise:

Mental illness like prolonged bouts of feeling sad or depressed for no apparent reason, where going through with your day-to-day activities becomes a challenge, or feeling suicidal requires immediate help and clinical treatment, a counsellor, at the very least. 

On the other hand, if you are surrounded with stress and don’t know how to handle it? Perhaps you are faced with un-reconcilable differences or conflict in a relationship or at work, then coaching is a great place to start. Likewise if you feel stuck in life, and you lack motivation then coaching is your answer.

So how do you know what support you need?

To get started on your journey, and find the right support, we suggest:

Research different types of support

Therapy can vary drastically depending on the type – cognitive behavioural therapy will have a different impact than group therapy. Take some time to research the different types and consider what you’re hoping to get out of your sessions. You may have to try a couple of different types before you find the best match so keep an open mind. Is coaching the right place to start maybe?

Prioritise important traits

When you’re thinking about opening up and talking to someone, do you have a picture of that someone in your mind? Often we find it easier to open up to a familiar person – whether you’re more comfortable talking to a man or woman will affect which therapist will be right for you. You may also need an LQBTQ therapist or a therapist who can understand sign language – this will be different for everyone so think about what you need and don’t be influenced by other people.

Book a trial session

Often therapists and coaches will offer a free or reduced-cost trial session where you can get to know them and their therapy style whilst also discussing what you need from the sessions. These can give you a taste of what some one is like and how you would feel in a full session. You can also ask questions during these sessions to find the best fit.

Ask a professional

If you’re still not sure what therapy would be best for you or where to start, ask a professional like your GP, or even your Tonic practitioner.  Doctors can often advise on local mental health support and help get referrals in some cases. Your employer may have a variety of solutions available too.

It can be really difficult to make that first leap and book either a coach or a counsellor, but once you find the right support for you, you will experience a significant impact on your daily life, and your wellbeing. Remember it can take multiple sessions and can take time but undoubtedly the right support will help.

At Tonic Wellbeing we offer mental health support packages including coaching, counselling and wellbeing workshops. We can assess and help select what support is right for you and your employees. Our goal is to help every employee be physically & mentally healthier and more resilient. If you need immediate help in a crisis there is signposting in the Tonic and Me app. This is also a good mental illness resource.

Do you see a coach or a counsellor? Does this reflect your journey? Are you getting the right support? Let us know in the comments!