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Counseling Awareness Month: Spotting the Power of Psychotherapy and Innovative Treatments

In recognition of April as Counseling Awareness Month, Relief Mental Health highlights the essential part therapy plays in addressing mental health challenges and fostering a fulfilling life. This month serves as a reminder to acknowledge the significance of psychotherapy and encourage public understanding of how comprehensive mental health care can profoundly impact individuals.

Psychotherapy, commonly referred to as talk therapy, is foundational in mental health treatment, helping individuals confront issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and OCD. Relief Mental Health employs evidence-based techniques, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and exposure response prevention (ERP), designed to assist clients in identifying disruptive patterns, devising coping strategies, and enhancing emotional regulation.

While therapy offers a secure environment for people to explore their feelings and responses to life’s stresses, it is sometimes insufficient. As Callie Oetking, LCSW, clinical director at Relief Mental Health, points out, “Therapy provides a safe space for exploration of thoughts and behaviors, though for some individuals, it may be necessary to utilize a broader array of treatment options.”

Relief Mental Health extends its services beyond traditional therapy, including psychiatric medication management and alternative treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and SPRAVATO® (esketamine). While medication can aid in rebalancing brain chemistry, it does not work universally—research suggests that about 30% of individuals with depression either don’t respond well to antidepressants or struggle to handle their side effects. For these patients, alternative interventions can be life-changing.

TMS therapy employs magnetic pulses to stimulate brain areas related to mood management and is FDA-approved for conditions such as depression and OCD. The treatment is non-invasive and allows patients to remain fully conscious and alert during their sessions. Meanwhile, SPRAVATO®, a nasal spray alternative for treatment-resistant depression, has been shown to provide quick symptom relief for individuals who have not found success through traditional antidepressants.

Another innovative option, IV ketamine, offers rapid relief from symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and bipolar depression, often proving transformative for those facing immediate crises. Oetking asserts, “The most significant and lasting improvements appear when therapy is combined with medication or TMS treatments, facilitating a holistic approach that promotes healing and personal growth.”

For those seeking to learn more about Relief Mental Health or to schedule an initial consultation, services can be accessed by calling 855.205.4764, emailing [email protected], or visiting their website at reliefmh.com.

About Relief Mental Health

Relief Mental Health, an award-winning outpatient provider, offers a wide variety of treatment options including TMS, psychedelics (SPRAVATO® and IV ketamine), and therapy for depression, anxiety disorders, and OCD. Released in January 2020, Relief operates 11 facilities across three states, fostering expedient care as their mission. Their Illinois locations include clinics in Chicago, Oak Brook, and several others, while also serving areas in New Jersey and Wisconsin. By providing a comprehensive array of innovative therapy options, Relief aims to set a new benchmark in mental health care, continually adapting to meet the evolving needs of patients. For more information, visit their website at www.reliefmh.com.