Beyond Psychotherapy
It’s disheartening to know that many mentally ill persons in Africa do not know the importance of psychotherapy and sometimes, the ones who do, can’t afford it. Psychotherapy is beyond talking to a confidant who becomes a safe place for you. That’s okay if the confidant is a trained person, preferably, a psychologist. Talking to a trained psychologist, who knows his/her onions and is passionate about what he/she does, can help a person managing a mental health diagnosis understand his/her thought patterns and the nature of the diagnosis. With psychotherapy, a mentally ill person is able to access effective and personalised counselling on how to stay mentally healthy.
If you are managing any form of mental illness, apart from seeing a psychiatrist, try to see a psychologist- a trained and experienced one. I believe that the roles of the Psychiatrist and Psychologist and other trained clinicians are indispensable. They work hand in hand to ensure an wholesome experience for the mentally ill person.
If you are managing any form of mental illness, apart from seeing a psychiatrist, try to see a psychologist- a trained and experienced one. I believe that the roles of the Psychiatrist and Psychologist and other trained clinicians are indispensable. They work hand in hand to ensure an wholesome experience for the mentally ill person.
While looking up different definitions of the word, Psychotherapy, I came across these definitions that resonates deeply with my thoughts.
“Psychotherapy is a treatment process to help people deal with psychological issues, such as depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder.”
Here’s the core of today’s post.
Even though I have enjoyed the services of a trained psychologist since 2003, and do believe in the solution they bring to the table, I have also come to terms with the fact that there would be times when the psychologist, family and loved ones won’t be there to talk you out of a mood swing or be available to have a chat with you to give you a refreshing perspective to a worrisome issue.
In those moments, I am reminded that JESUS is my EVERYTHING – My PSYCHOLOGIST, My BEST FRIEND, My HEALER, My HELPER, My CO-CHATTER. He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. He picks me when I drop. He catches me when I fall. He finds me when I’m lost. There is nothing you would say to me that I wouldn’t run by Him. He is my EVERYTHING. Do you know Him? His name is Jesus Christ, The One who saves me from myself!
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Often, I wonder what my journey with Bipolar Disorder would look like without connecting with an enabling and empowering relationship with my creator, where I am reassured of God’s indescribable love for me.
A love too deep to fathom! A love that makes sense of all the drama that can accompany a bipolar diagnosis. A love borne out of an intimate relationship with Jesus.
What love!
My name is Precious, I was Bipolar and I live a full life.
My name is Precious, I was Bipolar and I live a full life.
Prayer
Dear Lord, please keep me in the center of your love. Give me your grace to live a life that reflects your love – your deep unfathomable love for humanity.
Reference:
Images and Psychotherapy definition – Google
Romans 8:35-39 English Standard Version (ESV)