Understanding the Signs of Depression in Your Teen
The signs of depression in a teenager can be easy to miss, especially because it’s normal for teens to seem surly sometimes. Learn when these signs might not be normal.
Finding the right provider is a daunting task, especially if you’re suffering from anxiety, depression, or addiction. Seeking the right treatment can feel like finding a needle in a haystack, except you just can’t find the energy to dig through all that hay.
Dr. Judy Vansiea is here to help you get the treatment you need, offering convenient permanent telehealth services in Kansas, New Jersey, and New York for patients 15 years and over. It’s vital that you feel comfortable with your therapist or provider. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen with the first provider that you meet.
However, don’t let those uncomfortable appointments discourage you from reaching out to a therapist or provider that meets your needs and eases your distress. Find relief with Dr. Vansiea at Coping Nurse Practitioner in Psychiatry Services in her Uniondale, New York office. Using a faith-based approach to mental health, Dr. Vansiea provides therapeutic services for physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and financial well-being.
So, how do you know if a provider is a good match for you? Read on to find out.
Often, those who suffer from depression, anxiety, and trauma feel invisible to those around them. If you feel as though no one hears you or sees your pain, your therapist must make you feel seen and heard. Do they ignore your tears? Do they offer a tissue or comforting words during distressing times?
Part of healing requires delving into traumatic memories. You should share these emotions with a psychiatric practitioner/provider that is present and engaged with you at all times. You get to know one another, not just through the tough times but also through the simple, everyday human interactions.
Even the right provider must respect the boundaries you put forth at the beginning of each session. Although there is a level of discomfort when wading through difficult territory, you should feel comfortable and safe that your therapist won’t push you too far. Disrespecting boundaries harms you, and it weakens the partnership between you and a trusted expert.
A therapist is a good match for you if you seem to have lots of “lightbulb” moments during a session. You should leave each appointment with a new understanding of yourself or a new coping skill. Therapy is about gently challenging boundaries while giving you the tools necessary to cope with problems on your own.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a good psychiatric practitioner/provider won’t make false promises, such as guaranteeing a total recovery in six months. Your provider should move at your rate of healing, which could take months and even years. You should reach self-improvement at your own pace, with a therapist guiding you, helping you set and achieve realistic goals on your timeline.
This may seem like an odd question to ask yourself, but hopefully, an easy one to answer. Therapy is effective when you feel respected and supported by your provider. There also must be reciprocity on your end. You won’t be able to take advice or guidance from a person that you don’t trust, respect, or feel comfortable with.
A psychiatric provider is a good match for you when they show compassion and patience, regardless of where you’re at in your recovery journey. They should show respect for your culture, your background, your needs, and your goals. That’s why it’s so crucial to ask yourself if you like your provider as a person.
You might consider seeking treatment elsewhere if your psychiatric provider insists on teaching you the “right ways” to behave. The patient-provider relationship isn’t the same as a parent-child relationship. Your provider isn’t meant to demean or discipline you.
There’s no one way to treat addiction or mental illness. In fact, there are hundreds and thousands of ways to make your journey towards recovery. If a provider insists there is only one right way, it’s probably time to move on.
Call Dr. Vansiea at 516-247-3525, or you can send a secure message to see if she’s a good match for you. Your goals are her goals, and she’ll do everything she can to help you through these challenging times. So remember that certain expectations are required of you too since this is a partnership between you “the patient” and Dr. Vansiea, the treating “practitioner/provider” to improve your quality of life.
