Understanding and Improving Mental Health

Understanding and Improving Mental Health

Understanding and Improving Mental Health: Counselling in Sheffield

There are various types of therapies, each of which is designed to target different issues and symptoms. Some of the most popular ones include:

  • Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT): This type of therapy focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviours that may be contributing to mental health issues. CBT has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of disorders, including anxiety and depression.
  • Psychodynamic therapy: This type of therapy is based on the idea that unconscious thoughts and experiences are influencing one’s current behaviour and thoughts. Psychodynamic therapy aims to help individuals understand and resolve these unconscious conflicts.
  • Mindfulness-based therapies: Mindfulness-based therapies, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), are based on the principles of mindfulness and meditation. These therapies aim to help individuals become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations, and to respond to them in a more balanced and healthy way.
  • Interpersonal therapy (IPT): This type of therapy is focused on improving communication and relationships in one’s personal and professional life. IPT can be used to treat a variety of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.

How to Choose the Right Therapy

Choosing the right therapy depends on several factors, including the type and severity of the mental health issue, as well as one’s personal preferences and goals. It is recommended to speak with a mental health professional who can assess your individual needs and recommend the most appropriate therapy for you.

The Benefits of Therapies

Therapies have been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Some of the benefits of therapies include:

  • Improved mood and overall well-being
  • Decreased symptoms of anxiety and depression
  • Better sleep
  • Improved relationships and communication skills
  • Increased self-awareness and understanding of one’s thoughts and behaviours.
  • Improved coping skills for dealing with stress and life’s challenges.

 

The Process of Therapies

The process of therapies typically involves regular sessions with a trained therapist. During these sessions, individuals can explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and to learn new ways of coping with mental health issues. The length and frequency of therapy sessions will vary depending on the individual and the type of therapy being used.

Finally, therapies can be an effective way to address and improve mental health. With the right therapy and a commitment to the process, individuals can experience significant benefits, including improved mood, decreased symptoms of anxiety and depression, and better overall well-being. If you are struggling with a mental health issue, consider reaching out to us at Rainbow Counselling Services. We are an association of professional counsellors and coaches based around Sheffield. We will be more than happy to help, guide and support you. 

 

 

 

Contact us on our website if you require counselling or therapy or have any question at all.

 

Is New Year, New Me Really That Simple?

Is New Year, New Me Really That Simple?

Is New Year, New Me Really That Simple?

As we begin a new year, it’s common to hear the phrase “New Year, New You.” While it’s exciting to think about the possibilities for growth and change, it can also be daunting to set and keep resolutions. Sometimes, the pressure to make a resolution can feel like pressure to change who you are as a person in a fundamental way.

It’s important to remember that setting goals for yourself can be a valuable aspect of self-improvement, but it’s also important to be kind and compassionate with yourself. Reflecting on who you are, and the direction of your life can be a positive thing, but it’s important to be mindful of the language we use and the pressure we may put on ourselves. Let’s work towards setting achievable goals, rather than expecting ourselves to fundamentally change overnight. And remember if you are feeling overwhelmed or down, that is natural and it’s always good to seek help from a counsellor or therapist.

 

You can read more about Beating New Year’s Resolution Pressure from: https://nationalcounsellingsociety.org/blog/posts/beating-new-years-resolution-pressure

Counselling and therapy can help you establish what’s important, find balance, focus and strength to deal with pressure.  

Contact us on our website if you require counselling or therapy or have any question at all.

 

Mental Health Awareness Week 9 – 15 May 2022

Mental Health Awareness Week 9 – 15 May 2022

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week 2022, which is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation.

The focus is a topic that may well have affected many of us over the last couple of years – loneliness.

The Mental Health Foundation hosts the week of awareness on a mental health theme each year in May, seeking to highlight issues which affect society and has grown to be one of the biggest awareness weeks in the UK and globally.

One in 4 adults feels lonely some or all of the time and it’s a risk factor for many other mental health issues. On top of this the pandemic has indeed isolated us in many ways from friends and family, adding a new dimension to the loneliness that many face.

There’s no surprise then that reaching out for support can really help to break the cycle of loneliness. This can be more easily said than done though and the Mental Health Foundation has drawn together some helpful tips, alongside some stories of those who have experienced loneliness to help.

For more info please visit: Mental Health Foundation’s website >

Please feel free to contact Rainbow today if this is something that may be affecting you.

The link between sleep deprivation and mental health

The link between sleep deprivation and mental health

It’s not just new parents and night shift workers who may feel sleep deprived. For many, suffering with poor sleep or insomnia can be a hidden and debilitating struggle. And a link has now been found between sleep issues and mental health.

The link between sleep deprivation and mental healthPoor sleep can affect an individual in many ways: difficulty getting to sleep, early waking, nightmares and problems staying asleep as examples.

A new study from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health used a cross-sectional of 89,205 participants from the UK Biobank. The study demonstrates that people diagnosed with mental health conditions often have worse sleep quality and also that poor sleep can impact mental health. It’s not yet clear if one causes the other and if so, which one comes first so to speak. An interesting observation of the study found that sleep deprivation increases inflammation in the body, and inflammation is connected to stress.

Check out this article from the UK Therapy Guide for more observations on the study, including some tips for practicing good ‘sleep hygiene’ as recommended by the researchers in the study.

If you would like to book an appointment with a Rainbow counsellor, please send us a message with a brief explanation of your situation and we will recommend a counsellor to meet your needs.​

Mental Health Awareness: ADHD

Mental Health Awareness: ADHD

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and describes a condition which affects behaviour. Sufferers can be restless and struggle to focus or concentrate.

Mental Health Awareness: ADHDADHD is often diagnosed in childhood, but more recently cases of adults being diagnosed have been known.

The symptoms of ADHD can be distressing, especially if you haven’t yet been diagnosed. It’s common to experience secondary mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety as a result of this.

The causes of ADHD aren’t fully known but it is known to be affected by brain chemistry and likely genetics too. It’s important to get support as a sufferer and treatment can include medication and/or therapy for children and adults.

Check out this article by the Mental Health Foundation to find out more about ADHD. And as always don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Rainbow for support – perhaps you are a sufferer or you may be affected by ADHD in another way e.g. as a parent or friend of a sufferer. It’s important to know you are supported too!

Mental Health Awareness: Panic Attacks

Mental Health Awareness: Panic Attacks

We stumbled across this great article at the Counselling Directory and thought it was worth sharing as it describes panic attacks so well, including what happens in the brain.

Mental Health Awareness: Panic AttacksMany people suffer from panic attacks, and the experience can be more intense than generalised anxiety, the article describes them as an ‘explosion of anxiety’. Most attacks last between 5 and 20 minutes, though they can go on for longer.

It’s important to note that some symptoms of panic attacks can be similar to those such as a heart attack so it’s important to get help and seek appropriate medical advice.

Various tips and techniques are included for things that may help. These include relaxation, breathing techniques and carrying around something that might help to calm, focus and ground you when a panic attack arises.

For more info visit the Counselling Directory article >

Please contact Rainbow Counselling to access further support.