Krista Walsh’s Post

How Social Media Affects Your Mental Health (and What You Can Do About It) It is obvious that social media has become an indispensable and influential component of our daily lives. This increase has been facilitated by the never-ending procession of well-chosen life, constant alerts, and monotonous perusing. Nevertheless, the #internet has numerous intricate and potentially contradictory effects on mental health, despite its ability to facilitate communication with individuals from all over the world and provide an infinite quantity of information and #entertainment. Are you feeling overwhelmed by social media? Struggling to find a balance between online and offline life? McDowall Integrative Psychology & Healthcare is here to help. Our comprehensive #psychologicalservices in #Toronto are designed to address the unique challenges posed by our digital world. Read the full blog and discover how you can take control of your mental well-being in the age of social media : https://lnkd.in/d4pY2aNq Take the first step towards improving your mental health today. Our team of expert #psychologists offers evidence-based strategies to help you navigate the digital landscape mindfully. From setting boundaries and taking #digitaldetoxes to fostering real-life connections and practicing #selfcare, we provide actionable advice to support your #mentalhealth journey. Visit our website or call us to schedule an appointment: https://lnkd.in/d3zg9pm8 #SocialMedia #Psychology #MentalWellBeing #TorontoHealthcare #McDowallIntegrativePsychology #DigitalDetox #OnlineWellness #MentalHealthAwareness #AnxietyRelief #DepressionSupport

REFER, REFER, AND REFER. Following what I've posted yesterday, I'm happy that many resonate with my point of view. Yet I'm surprised that the issue of clinicians hoarding all responsibilities is more prevalent than we think, across the field of mental health. It is perplexing why some professionals seek to monopolize clients, perhaps driven by personal gain or the desire to appear indispensable. I'm more than happy to be wrong in this matter, to be honest with everyone here. It is essential to acknowledge that as professionals in the helping profession, we should not succumb to greed or selfishness. That's exactly the reason why I advocate for a multidisciplinary approach. We don't have, nor can we know everything under the sun. We know and have faith that there are people out there who are able to provide more apt services than what we can do. It's vital for us to know what exactly we can do and how we are different from other mental health professionals. Understanding our own competencies and limitations is crucial. As a clinical psychologist, I am candid about not being an expert in all therapeutic modalities. In fact, this awareness guides me in identifying and referring clients to professionals who can better support them. While rapport is important, it is not the sole solution to our clients' challenges. Our primary focus should be on ensuring our clients receive the best possible care. With that said, The client's well-being should be our top priority, and with that in mind, we should focus on them getting the best care they can get. We should all work on improving the way we view the concept of REFERRAL. Referring clients to other professionals is not a sign of weakness or incompetence; rather, it demonstrates our commitment to prioritizing our clients' well-being. Recognizing our limitations reflects awareness and insight, qualities that are essential not only for ourselves but also for imparting the same to our clients. 2 cents. #mentalhealth #mentalhealthprofessionals #psychology #clinicalpsychologist #reflection #learning #thinkthoughts #linkedin

Thrilled to announce the publication of my recent research paper "Impact of Social Media on Mental Health - Self-Esteem!" 📚💻 Delving into the complexities of our digital age, I've examined the profound influence social media platforms have on our psychological well-being. From the pressures of comparison to the cultivation of self-perception, this paper sheds light on the intricate relationship between social media usage and mental health outcomes. Let's spark meaningful conversations and foster a healthier online environment together. Read the full paper : https://lnkd.in/gbBvUHke #SocialMedia #MentalHealth #SelfEsteem #Research #Researchpaper #IJIRMF #internationaljournal

As mental health professionals, we should not and must not be the sole support our clients depend on. Yes, you read that right. It may sound counterintuitive to our role, but here's why I stand by this statement. I recently came across a post that raised doubts about the necessity of teaching clients techniques derived from evidence-based therapies given their inability to eradicate mental illness. This post follows up suggesting that all these clients from us may truly need is a genuine connection and a listening ear. While I wholeheartedly agree that developing a therapeutic alliance is crucial—research consistently shows its significance in mental health improvement—I disagree that our role boils down to simply being there to listen. Here's what else we do while we're fostering that genuine connection: case conceptualization, formulation, intervention planning, modality matching, referral if necessary, and the trial and error of didactic techniques based on our clients' needs, among other tasks. We apply what we're trained to do, which is beyond just active listening and connection building. While it's positive that clients find us helpful and can genuinely connect with us, it's problematic if we create the illusion that we are the only ones that could listen to them. This may lead to the false perception that we are the only dependable support system they have. In fact, that genuine connection is what we hope that with the skills they have learned derived from evidence-based therapies, our clients will eventually practice and generalize to their social circles. While they may not have those connections immediately, through techniques learned in our sessions, we aim for them to apply these skills in their natural environment. Our role goes beyond just providing comfort; we offer substance and tangible strategies for growth. In essence, WE DO APPLY DIDATIC ELEMENTS IN OUR SESSIONS, and never just purely apply active listening skills without any other follow-up. I urge all mental health professionals to see beyond the facade of being all-loving and compassionate. We play a multifaceted role, and until we acknowledge this clearly, we risk undermining the importance of our contributions. We're not here to foster client dependency. We're here to cultivate their independence so they can thrive in life. 2 cents. #mentalhealth #mentalhealthprofessionals #psychology #clinicalpsychologist #reflection #learning #thinkthoughts #linkedin

Hello everyone!🌱 Me and my teammates are currently working on our master thesis and we need your help! If you’re living in Europe and have some experience or familiarity with Mental Health Apps, we would love your input. Our research focuses on “Understanding Customer Preferences for Features and Benefits in Digital Mental Health Apps.” By completing this short conjoint analysis survey (only about 10 minutes), you’ll help us gain valuable insights. We appreciate your time and support! 🙏🏼🧘🏽♀️ https://lnkd.in/dHuReZzJ

🚀 **Join the Ripple: Bringing Mental Health Services to Those in Need** 🚀 Everyone loves getting on board with a cause, a passion, or contributing to another person. One cause that I’m incredibly passionate about is mental health 🌟. There’s an explosion in the need for mental health services – psychologists, counsellors, you name it. However, people are struggling to get in. When times are tough, it’s hard to pick up the phone or send an email 📞💻. The easier we can make it for people, the better. At Conscious Healthcare SA, we believe in creating ripples 🌊. Today, I invite you to join us on this journey of bringing awareness to available psychology services. If we can like and share this post, we can help get the message into the right hands and ensure people get the timely services they need 💬. We are proud to announce that we’ve added capacity in this space with a new psychologist and Chaz Fuda joining our team 🧠💼. Please comment on our post if you know of others who also have capacity, and share it along too. Let’s work together to spread awareness and make mental health care accessible for everyone. #NoWaitNowIsGreat – because timely access to healthcare is vital. Your health is something we all need to take seriously, and that means being able to access the care you need when you need it 🩺💪. Join me on this mission today to spread awareness, connect people with much-needed services, and make it easy for them to get the help they deserve. Thank you for being part of this important cause ❤️. #NoWaitNowIsGreat #InItTogether #Psychology

Hello LinkedIn community, In our fast-paced world, the importance of maintaining mental health has never been more crucial. Both in our personal lives and in the professional realm, taking care of our mental well-being leads to improved productivity, better relationships, and a more fulfilling life. Recognizing this, I am excited to share that I am currently building a project from scratch focused on mental health. This initiative is designed to support individuals in nurturing their mental health, fostering environments where people can thrive both at home and in the workplace. As we build this #platform, I am eager to connect with fellow mental health enthusiasts, professionals, and advocates who are passionate about making a difference. Your insights, experiences, and support could play a significant role in shaping this project into something truly transformative. Let's collaborate to create a world where mental health is prioritized, reducing stigma and enhancing the quality of life for everyone. If you're interested in joining this journey, please feel free to reach out to me directly. Let’s make a positive impact together! Together, we can make this world a better place live-in. #HealthTech #MentalHealthMatters #InnovationInHealthcare #MentalHealthAwareness #Wellbeing #MentalHealthAdvocacy #Psychiatrist #AI #psychology #Service_psychology Looking forward to many inspiring connections and a journey towards better mental health for all.

🚶♀️🧠My Journey as an Applied Health Psychologist: 🤔Have you or someone you know been unnecessarily medicated? Do you think we’re too quick to pop a pill instead of addressing the root cause?⁉️ 💊My passion for psychology began in my first relationship, where I witnessed my partner struggle with mental health and the challenge of finding help without being overmedicated. This experience fueled my desire to help people in a meaningful way. 🙌Today, I’m proud to do just that. I’ve learned that many internal struggles stem from a lack of self-awareness and poor relationships with ourselves and others! 👀 While medicine is sometimes necessary, it’s often prescribed as the easier solution. But self-work—the hardest yet most rewarding work—is often overlooked 💪 ☺️🗣️Let’s discuss the importance of self-awareness and true healing. Do you agree that even with something as simple as a headache, we’re now conditioned to just pop a pill instead of addressing the underlying cause? 🥲 #Selfwork #MentalHealth #SelfAwareness

Mental health is fundamentally a conversation, and that's a fact. We all view this concept differently. Some through a diagnostic lens based on DSM/ICD criteria, and others from a transdiagnostic standpoint, seeing mental health concerns as existing along a continuum. Both perspectives are in fact valid. And that's exactly the beauty of this field, where conversation about the differences should be continuously shared and explored. The key point, especially for professionals in the field, is ACKNOWLEDGING these differences. It's not about whose ideas are right. But of course, if your approach lacks theoretical or scientific evidence, especially when practicing in the field, that's problematic. Just because you have a revelation from a dream doesn't make it a transferable skill worthy enough to apply in clinical practice. Clients with treatable conditions deserve evidence-based approaches that have been proven effective. Relying on unsubstantiated methods can potentially harm those seeking help. Anyway, I digress. It's not about whose ideas are right. Rather, it's about recognizing that each client is unique, and our role is to find the best match for their needs. It's not about arguing for or against diagnosis; it's about what best fits and supports the individual sitting in front of us. Our approach should be based on our understanding of that person. Before vehemently rejecting diagnoses or becoming overly focused on labels, let's consider if our approach truly serves the clients we see. Is it genuinely for their benefit, or is it solely for the purpose of proving that we are right for our self-esteem boost? It's essential to reflect on our motivations and ensure they align with the well-being of those we serve." 2 cents. #mentalhealth #mentalhealthprofessionals #psychology #clinicalpsychologist #reflection #learning #thinkthoughts #linkedin

Every day as a psychologist, I have the privilege of witnessing the transformation of individuals who walk into my office seeking support. As they leave, their smiles and words of gratitude are not just expressions of satisfaction; they are reflections of the positive change that has taken root within them. Regardless of their background or status, I believe in the inherent value of every person who seeks help. Each session is not just a clinical exchange but a deeply human connection where empathy, understanding, and support pave the way for healing and growth. It's truly heartening when some share that they no longer need medication or that their physical health has improved after our sessions. It reaffirms the holistic impact of mental well-being on overall health. Their testament to consulting their doctor and no longer needing medication underscores the profound influence of psychological support on one's journey to wellness. In a world that often measures worth by external markers, we should choose to focus on the intrinsic value of each individual, offering them a safe space to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Through this journey, we discover together the resilience and strength that lie within, igniting hope and fostering a brighter tomorrow. #EmpoweringSmiles #PsychologyMatters #MentalHealth #Mentalhealthmatters #Psychologist