Second Quarter 2004

Coping with Stress - Counselling and Support Services

Counselling and Support

Sometimes, when we are feeling depressed, anxious, confused or unable to cope, talking to supportive friends, family members, or joining a support group may be very helpful.

But if that isn't enough, you should consider seeking professional counselling. While counselling cannot fix all the problems in your life, it can help you sort things out so that you feel more able to cope. A therapist can help you learn more about yourself, so that you can use your own strengths to regain a feeling of control over your life. Remember, it is how we think of, or react to, life's events that make us feel over-stressed -- not just the events themselves.

Counselling can also be called therapy or psychotherapy.

Finding the right help for stress can be a stressful experience. This section outlines the kinds of help you can seek in your area.

NOTE: Call your provincial health insurance organization ( i.e. OHIP in Ontario, Alberta Health, etc.) to check which services are covered by your plan.

The Family Doctor

Your family doctor can help you identify your health problem. A thorough look at your health profile and a complete medical examination can establish the reason for your ill health (mental or physical). Your symptoms may be the result of an illness that may or may not be due to stress.

Your doctor may prescribe a treatment, or suggest that support and a few ideas about how to manage your situation may be all you need. If your family doctor suggests the use of tranquilizers, make sure you are well informed about their purpose and their side effects before you decide whether to use them.

Therapists

You or your family doctor may decide that talking to a therapist will help you deal with your feelings. You might be referred to a counsellor at a community agency or in private practice, or to a psychiatrist or psychologist who works in a hospital or has a private practice.

Clinically trained psychiatrists and psychologists are professionals with approximately the same amount of formal training. The basic difference is the type of training received.

The Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists complete a degree in general medicine. They have an additional four years training in diagnosis and treatment of emotional and behavioural problems. Because they are medical doctors (M.D.s), psychiatrists are licensed to prescribe medications. Their fees are covered by your provincial health care plan. To see a psychiatrist, ask your family doctor for a referral. If you don't have a family doctor, you can call a local hospital or community health centre to ask about their mental health services. In many communities, there is a branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association. Call them to ask how you can find a psychiatrist.

The Psychologist

A clinically trained psychologist holds a doctorate (PhD.) in the study of human behaviour, as well as in the treatment of behavioural and emotional problems. Most provinces do not license psychologists to prescribe medication and they may not be able to bill their fees to your provincial health insurance plan. However, many private health care insurance plans cover the services of registered psychologists. Check with your insurance company.

The Social Worker

A social worker has a university degree in social work. Most are employed by hospitals or community agencies. However, some have taken additional training in psychotherapy and are in private practice. Your doctor may refer you to a therapist who is a social worker.

The Stress Specialist

There are many organizations and individuals that provide stress management education and treatment. Some are psychologists, others are physiotherapists, occupational therapists or people with other kinds of training. To find out what's available, look in the yellow pages of your phone book under "stress management". Phone and ask about services and fees. Some accept only those referred by family physicians. Some directly bill your provincial health care plan while others charge the patient/client.

What is Psychotherapy?

Psychologists, psychiatrists and some social workers practice psychotherapy. Getting treatment by psychotherapy means talking with a trained person who helps you solve problems by developing more positive thoughts and feelings. There are many different theories and schools of thought regarding effective psychotherapy techniques.

Common techniques include:

a)Group Therapy - Several people talk about their problems and receive help from each other's remarks. A trained therapist leads the group.

b)Individual Psychotherapy - The individual talks about problems without going deeply into the subconscious mind. (Note: the "subconscious" is that part of the mind which is not fully conscious, yet is able to influence our actions.)

c) Psychoanalysis - Therapists seek to uncover causes of mental health problems by searching into a person's early experiences. Dream analysis and free association (talk about anything that comes to mind) are used to get to the subconscious mind.

Other Counselling Services:

The Public Health Nurse

Most neighbourhoods are served by a public health nurse. Public health nurses are involved with individual, family and small group counselling, and education regarding personal health. They often work with hospitals, local doctors and neighbourhood centres.

Public health nurses can give you information about how lifestyle relates to your stress level and about health-related resources in your community. They can refer you to other sources of information or help.

Contact a public health nurse through your local department of health.

Addiction Counselling

If you are concerned about your use of alcohol, tranquilizers or other drugs, there are people who can help. Talk to your doctor or look in the phone book for Alcoholics Anonymous (a self help group) or an addiction foundation or centre in your area.

Individual and Family Counselling

In many communities there is a family services organization or community health centre where individual or family counselling is available. Check with your local community information centre or your local branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association for information about services in your area.

Financial Counselling

There are a number of credit counselling services available to provide counselling for persons involved in credit difficulties. These counsellors may act as a go-between for you when dealing with agencies or people to whom you owe money. Look in the yellow pages for "credit" or "financial" counselling and planning.

Self-Help Groups

Sometimes people really feel the need to belong to a caring community. Many self-help groups (also called mutual aid groups or support groups) have developed across the country in the past few years.

Many people find they need the opportunity to take charge of their own situation.

Sometimes, understanding can only come from someone else who has experienced the same type of problem. In self-help groups, people experiencing similar problems get together to share information and help each other cope. Members use their individual strengths to support the others. Often, they use their collective strengths to advocate for social change.

For some, membership in a self-help group is an alternative to professional therapy. However, for many people a support group is useful in addition to formal helping services.

To find out about self-help groups in your community, contact your community information service.