Marufa Haque’s Post

Psychologists play an important role in promoting mental health and assisting individuals in managing various mental health disorders. In developed countries, people from diverse backgrounds, including professionals, students, and homemakers, seek the guidance of psychologists. The acceptance of this practice is widespread among families and society as a whole.   However, it is disheartening to acknowledge a different reality that exists in our country. Many educated individuals express concerns about seeking help from psychologists, fearing that others will perceive them as "crazy." Consequently, those who have undergone therapy or consulted a psychologist often conceal this information.   This tendency to hide one's challenges can have detrimental effects on both physical and mental well-being. It may lead individuals down a path they never intended, causing their lives to veer off course. This situation is truly saddening.   By succumbing to societal judgment, we subject ourselves to the constant stress of conforming to conventional norms. When faced with challenges, our minds become trapped in a cycle of repetitive thoughts, hindering our ability to think beyond a certain point. However, we can easily dispel our doubts and random thoughts by engaging in conversations with experienced individuals who possess a wealth of knowledge, without the need for medication. All it takes is a firm decision to seek help.   At times, many of us find ourselves stuck in a rut or experiencing indecisiveness in our personal or professional lives. During such periods, we struggle to concentrate and often make incorrect decisions. In addition to psychologists, there is another profession known as a "Life Coach" who can provide valuable assistance without judgment. Although this profession may not be widely recognized in our country yet, a life coach focuses on helping individuals overcome their current challenges while also aiding in goal identification and action planning.   It is essential to break free from the fear of judgment and embrace the support available to us. Seeking help from mental health professionals, whether psychologists or life coaches, can lead to personal growth, improved well-being, and a more fulfilling life.   There are several key distinctions between a psychologist and a life coach: 1. When seeking guidance from a life coach, rest assured that you will not face any judgment. 2. Unlike psychologists, life coaches do not offer direct counseling services. 3. Life coaches do not possess the expertise to diagnose mental health disorders. 4. It is important to note that life coaches are not authorized to prescribe medication or administer therapy unless they have received specific training such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and so on.   Ultimately, the responsibility for your mental health and well-being lies solely with you. Prioritizing self-love enables you to extend love and care to others as well. #mentalhealthmatters

Speaking with a professional #wellbeing coach, a #psychologist, or an experienced #counsellor can help us identify various ways to become involved and live a #trauma-free life, which enables us to move forward without encountering more challenges when we hold ourselves responsible for numerous failures and pass #judgement quickly, pushing us to the next level of a #traumatic situation.

Here are a few lines from Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: '“Are you asking for counseling or therapy?” Wendell says at today’s session after I tell him that I have a professional question. He knows I’ll understand the distinction because he’s offered professional guidance twice before. Do I want advice (counseling) or self-understanding (therapy)?' I see a lot of confusion around the words 'Counselling' and 'Therapy'. This confusion can cause a mismatch between what the client is expecting and what the practitioner is willing to offer. Let's understand the difference between the terms from the mental health perspective: - Counsellors (derived from a word synonymous with 'advice') focus mainly on helping clients develop coping mechanisms, strategies, and solutions keeping mainly the present in mind. Whereas, therapists (derived from a word synonymous with 'healing') focus on helping clients gain insight into how their past is impacting their present thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Therapists may also focus on coping strategies and solutions during the initial stages with the client's immediate needs. - The duration of counseling ranges from weeks to months (considered short-term) and therapy ranges from months to years depending on the complexity and approach (long-term). - Both require at least a master's degree in psychology and are bound by similar ethical principles. However, there might be some differences in their place of work. Counselors usually work in schools, colleges, offices, and EAP firms where providing therapy is not a feasible option. Therapists usually work with mental health organizations, hospitals, or have a private practice. - In India, both counselling psychologists and clinical psychologists can act as therapists. There are no clear regulations regarding the terms 'therapy' and 'counseling', as of now. Even though the terms are used interchangeably in India, I feel counseling psychologists are stuck in between. In my own practice, I started off as a counsellor and then quickly turned into a therapist by learning psychotherapy modalities. With time, even I am becoming more mindful of how I use the terms. It becomes important to note that both counselors and therapists serve a different purpose with neither being inferior or superior. Providing only counseling in a clinical setting (diagnosis and hospital) and only therapy in a formal setting (workplace/school/college) can be counter-productive. Choose a mental health professional depending on your need. Hope it helps you make an informed decision.

According to the American Psychological Association, a psychologist is “an individual who is professionally trained in one or more branches or subfields of psychology. Training is obtained at a university or a school of professional psychology, leading to a doctoral degree in philosophy (PhD), psychology (PsyD), or education (EdD).” Therapists A “therapist” is an overarching term for a clinician who treats mental health concerns. It often applies, and is colloquially used, as a label for each of these three categories. For example, therapists often have a master’s degree, but a psychologist with a doctorate degree may also be called a therapist. Common degrees for a master’s level therapist include a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT. A master’s level therapist’s training may focus primarily on treatment, but they cover theory, development, society, and policy as well. According to the National Association of Social Workers, clinical social work is “a specialty practice area of social work which focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness, emotional, and other behavioral disturbances.” Counselors Counseling tends to be shorter term, goal-oriented, and it addresses concrete, specific life challenges. By contrast, therapy with other professionals tends to be longer term, more exploratory and holistic, and it treats mental illness. Counselors often specialize in a specific area, such as marriage, addiction, grief, or abuse. For example, drug and alcohol counseling is a common form of counseling in which certified individuals help clients recover from alcohol and substance use disorders. https://lnkd.in/du_dSipN

Social prescribing- a "Warm Handoff". Reading this article below about coaching vs postive psychology has helped me understand further my scope as a social prescriber.With all training emphasing to identifying our strengths and recognising our limitations too, we still recieve inappropriate referrals. How do i navigate this? First, i tell myself "It's not a failure, it's collaboration!" Secondly, i take time to reflect on the areas of social prescribing i feel most confident in, like connecting patients to support groups or navigating community resources. Thirdly, i become aware of situations where a patient's needs fall outside my expertise.This could be complex mental health issues, legal troubles, or deep-seated emotional trauma. Lastly, I have developed a referral network with many professionals; first contact mental health nurses, therapists, social workers, housing officers,addiction recovery workers, safeguarding teams, care coordinators, pastoral teams, immigration case workers,legal aid, or other relevant services to allow for a smooth "warm handoff" where i connect the patient directly. I still offer ongoing support even if I'm handing off to another professional, continue to offer social prescribing support within my boundaries. This might involve checking in on the patient, helping them access appointments, or providing resources. By recognising my limitations and referring the patient to the right professional, I am actually demonstrating excellent patient care. It shows i prioritise their well-being and understand the importance of a holistic approach. To those new to social prescribing- It is about "complementing" medical treatment and providing a strong support system, not replacing all other forms of professional help. https://lnkd.in/eqFyTFHp

It can be difficult to find a therapist—let alone parse the different labels, from therapists and counselors to psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and coaches. Each type of clinician undergoes a different form of training, and each has a slightly different focus and approach to helping their clientele. Understanding a few key differences can help you determine which mental health professional is right for you or your loved one. But before diving in, it’s worth mentioning that although learning about these distinctions can help inform your decision, you don’t need to be overwhelmed by the information or get bogged down in the weeds; what tends to matter most is the commitment to change and the connection you forge with a therapist. It’s important to find someone with whom you feel comfortable and with whom you can build a working relationship—this is what makes therapy healing and transformative. The Differences Between Psychologists, Therapists, and Counselors Psychologists, therapists, and counselors may have different training and approaches, but they all treat mental, emotional, and behavioral health; they all have obtained an advanced degree, hours of training, and licensure. Psychologists A psychologist has a doctoral degree, such as a doctorate in philosophy, a Ph.D., or a doctorate in psychology, a Psy.D. A psychologist’s training may delve more deeply into the science, theory, and practice of psychology and human behavior. They may be more likely to treat severe mental illnesses such as psychosis or personality disorders. They can conduct psychological and neuropsychological testing. Outside of a clinical context, a psychologist may also be a researcher in an academic or institutional setting. https://lnkd.in/du_dSipN

Read this blog that explores the unique approaches to and differences between clinical mental health counseling and clinical psychology: https://ow.ly/G12750RKoiJ

Do you ever feel too overwhelmed to deal with your problems? If so, you’re not alone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than a quarter of American adults experience depression, anxiety, or another mental disorder in any given year. Others need help coping with a serious illness, losing weight, or stopping smoking. Still others struggle to cope with relationship troubles, job loss, the death of a loved one, stress, substance abuse, or other issues. And these problems can often become debilitating. What is psychotherapy? A psychologist can help you work through such problems. Through psychotherapy, psychologists help people of all ages live happier, healthier, and more productive lives. In psychotherapy, psychologists apply scientifically validated procedures to help people develop healthier, more effective habits. There are several approaches to psychotherapy—including cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, and other kinds of talk therapy—that help individuals work through their problems. Psychotherapy is a collaborative treatment based on the relationship between an individual and a psychologist. Grounded in dialogue, it provides a supportive environment that allows you to talk openly with someone who’s objective, neutral, and nonjudgmental. You and your psychologist will work together to identify and change the thought and behavior patterns that are keeping you from feeling your best. By the time you’re done, you will not only have solved the problem that brought you in, but you will have learned new skills so you can better cope with whatever challenges arise in the future. https://lnkd.in/dvwuYrs6

Several great points in here about how the field of psychotherapy could use more safeguarding. For clarity, I’m not a psychotherapist and don’t have a view on that practice, but I think there are parallels with the coaching industry and certainly the kind of coaching I do where I bring in emotional freedom technique- a therapeutic tool. Here are some practical tips for you if seeking a therapist, coach or anyone in this arena: ✔️ ask about which professional bodies they are a member of and what they have to do to keep their skills and expertise up to date? For example I have ongoing learning and supervision as an ICF coach, as an EFT therapist and most recently as a Resilience Dynamic practitioner. I’m due a refresh on my mental health first aider badge. A practitioner should be able to talk about their supervision arrangements. You should be able to look them up in a certified practitioner directory (like the ICF one in the comments.) ✔️ you definitely want a therapist / coach who has a keen awareness of the boundaries of their professional competence ie what Don’t they deal with? What are they not qualified to do? How will I know? You could ask ‘what is not in scope for the work we do together’ or ‘what different professionals could I also be considering?’ For example, if a prospective client mentions neurodiversity, a recent diagnosis or a suspicion they have about themselves, I always offer to signpost to specialists in this area as one option. A practitioner might ask you for more background about what’s going on for you, verbally, or on a form ahead of a conversation. They aren’t being nosy - this is part of working out if they are the right professional for you. ✔️ Essentially you are looking for a practitioner who’s no.1 priority is ensuring you get the right support for what you need right now. You’ll know this as they’ll be open to discussing other options for you getting what you need without getting defensive. Red flags 🚩 1. Guaranteeing a certain result. I talk about what my clients experience working with me on social media and those are clients who were in the right place to get the best from it. Part of any discovery call should be the practitioner ascertaining if they think they can help. I will signpost folk who I think need something different to what I offer. 2. Any kind of hard sell. Therapists and coaches have a living to make, but never at the expense of a client’s experience. I’m pretty passionate about this because I’ve experienced both mediocre and brilliant therapy. What I need at any one time might shift. And so it might for you, along with who’s best placed to work with you. I hope this helps, do shout up with any questions and if I can’t answer (boundaries of competence and all that) I’ll tag someone who I think can! https://lnkd.in/e_3YnwVB

🌟 Suggested best psychologist and therapist in Gurgaon 🌟 👉 https://lnkd.in/gsRQrDbw ✍ Mental health is as important as physical health, and finding the right support can make a significant difference in one's life. seeking the guidance of a skilled psychologist or therapist can be a crucial step toward mental well-being. This blog highlights some of the best psychologists and therapists in Gurgaon, offering insights into their expertise and how they can help individuals navigate their mental health challenges. 📌 Why Choose a Psychologist or Therapist in Gurgaon? Gurgaon's people frequently experience significant levels of tension and anxiety due to the city's fast urbanization and business culture. Whether it's for personal struggles, family issues, or workplace pressure, these mental health professionals can provide the necessary help, the top psychologists and therapists in Gurgaon are skilled in a range of therapeutic approaches, such as mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and psychoanalysis. 📌 Top Psychologists and Therapists in Gurgaon ♦ Mrs. Ritika Dhall Psychologist Mrs. Ritika Dhall is a seasoned counseling psychologist with a wealth of experience, specializing in the transformative power of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). ♦ Mrs. Tanya Sachdev Hello! My name is Tanya Sachdev and I am a mental health professional. I graduated In MSc Clinical Psychology from Cambridge, United Kingdom. I am a driven and motivated psychologist with a diverse experience in the mental health industry. I have worked with diverse population groups in India as well as the United Kingdom. ♦ Mr. Arindam Sen Mr. Arindam Sen is a Counseling Psychologist, registered with the Clinical Psychology Society of India (CPSI) NIMHANS, the World Mental Healthcare Association (WMHA), and the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association (ANZMH). ♦ Ms. Gunjan Bhatia I am a counseling psychologist with 4+ years of experience in the field of mental health. Having my master’s degree in clinical psychology, “I am committed to guiding individuals on their journey towards personal growth, resilience, and emotional wellbeing. In addition to my professional training and experience, I compassionate and non- judgmental approach to the therapeutic process. ♦ Dr. R.K. Sharma, MBBS Meet Dr. R.K. Sharma, the friendly face behind men's sexual health at Lyfsmile. With over three decades of experience, Dr. Sharma has become known for his caring nature and commitment to helping people improve their intimate lives. 📌 Conclusion Locating the ideal Gurgaon psychologist or therapist might change your life. The experts featured in this blog are some of the greatest in their industry, providing customized care to meet your specific requirements. 📌 Get Started Contact Us: Call +91 98047 91047 Email – [email protected] Initial Assessment: Personalized counseling plan. Begin Your Journey: Move forward with LYFsmile’s expert support.