BlueSky Wellness

Most people come to BlueSky Wellness because they are seeking change or growth in some area of their life. The effectiveness and perceived benefits of therapy depend on many factors including the particular problems you are experiencing, personality factors, establishing a good therapeutic relationship, and your ability and willingness to actively participate in the process. 

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At BlueSky Wellness, our approach is to develop a trusting and collaborative relationship where you can feel comfortable exploring yourself in a non-judgmental and safe environment, which is essential for successful therapy. We can work closely with you and other relevant professionals as appropriate and believe strongly in holistic health where your physical, emotional, and spiritual health are interrelated and each of these domains are incorporated into our work.

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While the benefits of psychotherapy vary, clients often report gaining a better understanding of themselves and their  goals  and  values, and being able to access and tolerate a wider range of emotions and life experiences. These gains can help improve interpersonal relationships, problem solving and coping skills, enhance self-esteem and increase confidence in your ability to manage problems and stress. 

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While there is no guarantee that psychotherapy will create the desired changes or effects, most people find that the benefits of the process outweigh the risks. In fact, often there can be more risk associated with not participating and maintaining dysfunctional behaviors and thought patterns. 

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WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH?

 

Mental health is a combination of our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and behave. It also contributes to how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

 

Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:

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• Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry

• Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse

• Family history of mental health problems

 

Most people believe that mental health problems,  sometimes known as mental disorder, is rare and “happens to someone else.“ In fact, mental illness is common and widespread. An estimated 54 million Americans suffer from some form of mental illness in a given year.

 

Most families are not prepared to cope with learning their loved one has a mental health issue. It can be physically and emotionally trying and can make us feel vulnerable to the opinions and judgments of others. If you think you or someone you know may have a mental or emotional problem, it is important to remember there is hope and help.

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WHAT IS MENTAL A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE?

 

A mental issue is a condition commonly triggered by stress that results in symptoms that can lead to mild to severe disturbances in thinking and/or behavior, resulting in an inability to cope with life’s ordinary demands and relationships.

 

Some of the more common conditions are depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, and PTSD. Symptoms may include changes in mood, personality, personal habits or relationship dysfunctions.

 

Mental health problems may be related to excessive stress due to a particular situation or series of events. As with physical diseases, mental health conditions are often physical as well as emotional and psychological. Mental health conditions may be caused by a reaction to environmental stresses, genetic factors, biochemical imbalances, or a combination. With proper support and treatment, many people learn to cope or recover from a mental mental health issue or emotional disorder.

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SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

 

Are you or someone you know living with mental health problems? Experiencing one or more of the following can be an early indicator of a problem:

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• Eating or sleeping problems

• Withdrawing from people and usual activities

• Having low or no energy

• Feeling numb or like nothing matters

• Having unexplained aches and pains

• Feeling helpless or hopeless

• Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared

• Yelling or fighting with family and friends

• Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships

• Having persistent thoughts and memories you can’t get out of your head

• Hearing voices or believing things that are not true

• Thinking of harming yourself or others

• Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school

 

It is especially important to pay attention to sudden changes in thoughts and behaviors.  Also keep in mind that the onset of the symptoms above, and not just any one change, indicates a problem that should be evaluated.

 

WHEN TO SEE A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL

 

Mental health issues are real, common, and treatable. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness (thats 20%!), and some of those are considered serious. So the first thing to remember is that you are not alone.

 

If you feel that you are experiencing a mental health condition, and particularly if those issues are interfering with your life, you may want to consider professional help which can potentially make a difference.

 

And to be clear, you don't need to be going through a crisis in order to get help. In fact, it can be proactive from a treatment perspective to identify and deal with issues early and before they have a major impact on your life. Either way, we hope you feel encouraged and able to seek help however you are feeling.

 

Mental health professionals can help in a variety of ways including:

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• Helping you identify where, when, and how issues arise

• Develop coping strategies

• Build resilience and self-management

• Identify and change negative behaviors and thought patterns

• Build and encourage positive behaviors

• Heal from past trauma

• Figure out goals and values

• Build self-confidence and self esteem

 

Treatment for mental health issues, and psychotherapy in particular, frequently helps people to feel better, manage, and even eliminate some symptoms. Other treatment options include medication which, in some cases, can be highly effective when administered in combination with psychotherapy.

 

Psychotherapy involves talking about your problems and concerns with a mental health professional. It can take lots of forms, including individual, group, couples and family sessions. Often, people see their therapists once a week for 50 minutes to start with and then reducing frequency as time goes on and issues resolve. Treatment can be as short as a few weeks or as long as a few years depending on your particular situation and response.

 

Getting help can be a sign of strength and maturity to take steps necessary to addressing your problems and getting your life back on track.

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WHEN TO GET EMERGENCY HELP

 

If you think that you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

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Also consider these options if you're having suicidal thoughts:

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• Call a suicide hotline number — in the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).

• Seek help from your primary doctor or other health care provider.

• Reach out to a close friend or loved one.

• Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone else in your faith community.

• Call your mental health provider.

 

If you, a loved one, or friend is at risk of attempting suicide or has made a suicidal statement, or recent attempt:

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• Make sure someone stays with that person.

• Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

• Or, if you can do so safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room.