NoReg

I agree, fundamental things haven't changed much. However, cultural and social factors significantly impact our mental health. There is research available on these social factors if you Google it. The US, with its advanced economy, science, and technology, being an immigrant country, has benefited from life sciences and medical advancements. Despite this, we grapple with a society that is more complex than most. For instance, a less family-oriented culture and individuals with more mobility mean we receive less support. While support is a crucial factor in counseling treatment. This leads me to think that learning coping strategies through many single one-session counseling sessions might be more useful and practical than opting for a long-term treatment plan that delves into the past to explore correlations :)

I believe research related to mental health is lagging. While ancient therapies may have been effective in the past, we're now living in a completely different age, and coping strategies and treatments need to advance accordingly. It can be very challenging to fix things when they are truly broken. That's why starting with mental well-being is crucial for taking control of it and building resilience. Don't wait until things are truely broken.

Sounds like a great plan! Exercise is always beneficial for both the body and mind, and the two are closely connected.

Thank you for your cooking therapy :) Similarly, I like cleaning dishes LOL Cleaning dishes can be a therapeutic activity as well, providing a sense of order/clarity and helping unclutter the mind.

Yes, I'm currently doing market research to understand what people seek in counseling. From my personal experience as a counseling service user, I've found that existing services often don't cater to my specific needs. Traditional counseling is primarily designed for illnesses and severe mental issues. What about taking care of people's mental well-being, not illness? In our fast-changing society with significant technological advances, we have increasing demand and also encounter new challenges in our daily lives. For example, older generations may not experience the anxiety caused by FOMO, which is an emotional response to social media. Many people have shared their experiences of how to deal with their mental well-being with or without using counseling, which is very helpful. So, I'm here to listen and learn from your experiences :)

As human beings, we are naturally born with a variety of feelings and develop all kinds of thoughts. It's important to embrace who we are. Everyone likely harbors some secrets and encounters feelings that are challenging to handle. Counseling professionals are typically non-judgmental and provide a secure and safe space to discuss your issues.

It takes time to identify thinking patterns or shift your perspective/mindset.

I will check that out. Thanks for sharing. Glad to hear routing therapy helps.

Starting with rest is always a good approach; sometimes, it can help clear your head.

Being present works very well for me. Focusing on the things I am working on is also a good option that can help me to get back on track.

Haha ~~~ See, that is option 1, maybe one session is enough in some life situations.

Thank you for sharing your experience with us.

Everyone has a preference in terms of counseling methods and duration. The shortage of counseling professionals is a nationwide issue, so you are not alone in having a hard time finding a counselor. While you are still in the process of searching, you can try to use some self-help apps (some of them are good and free as well) or public helplines. During the pandemic, each state launched additional free public help services for mental health. So, it does not hurt to give it a try. Sometimes the specialist on the line can point you in the right direction.

Good luck with your software projects and stay positive :)

Sounds like a good plan. Technology and social media make us stick to the screens. Self-discipline can help to improve the quality of our life :)

I like the list you made for yourself!!! Everyone needs that list.

Thank you for sharing the ACT and I will check out that book.

Thank you for the idea from Option 3!!!

I agree; unfortunately, Adlerian psychology has not become a mainstream practice yet, and we don't have many professionals trained in it. I am working on some alternative solutions to what we currently have. Traditional counseling sessions are designed more for illness.

I believe it is quite an advanced field involving neuroscience and human emotions. Hard to diagnose, treat, and measure. Not enough scientific research has been done in this field, and far from coming up with any solution. I guess we normally do not pay enough attention to our mental well-being. But, I always feel managing emotions and stabilizing our feelings is a great place to start.

Absolutely. Counseling services are very expensive. Changing my perspective/mindset to regulate my emotions is exactly what I used it for. I have been in those emotional moments but the reality needs me to move on quickly. So, I have to reach out to the counselors for a quick solution for the emotion, not changing the realities.

Yeah, I've been there too in the past. Two-thirds of the population in the U.S. have never used counseling before, and mental well-being often gets neglected. Maybe consider giving it a try in 2024? That's where Option 1 can be an excellent introductory experience for first-time users.

Great response!!! Thank you for sharing your user experience.

Option 1) is designed for individuals with light to moderate mental health needs, dealing with common emotional issues like anxiety, stress, and depression typically coming from our daily lives such as careers, relationships, and lifestyles. Using immediate conversations with a counselor to promptly address and move past your emotions, allows you to refocus on your daily life quickly. While it may not be suitable for deep-seated issues or diagnosed illnesses that require long-term treatment and scheduled appointments, it can serve as a temporary immediate solution when calendar scheduling and waiting are not ideal.