April is National Counseling Awareness Month, and Vanderbilt’s Office of Health and Wellness is reminding the university community of resources available to address mental health challenges.
Knowing how to separate fact from fiction when it comes to therapy can help you take the first crucial steps toward getting care. Below are a few common misconceptions that often prevent people from understanding how mental health care can help.
Myth: Your colleagues will think something is wrong with you.
Truth: Mental health care is for everyone. Since the goal of all mental health care is to provide support, build skills and achieve personal goals, pursuing care doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with you.
Myth: You’ll spend your session lying on a couch.
Truth: In prepandemic times, most mental health care was provided face-to-face, but even then, you’d meet in a private space with your provider. Nowadays, video calls have become more common. Teletherapy and virtual coaching make it faster and more convenient for people to access help from home.
Myth: All mental health care is the same.
Truth: There are many types of mental health care and providers. However, you should pay close attention to whether the type of treatment is evidence-based. Evidence-based care uses treatments that are backed by research, and it is tailored to meet people’s needs, preferences and cultural expectations.
Working with a Lyra mental health provider can be a great way to access the support you need. You can expect your first visit with a Lyra mental health provider to include the following:
- Active participation: Though you may be looking for guidance, mental health care is not a passive experience. You’ll be encouraged to actively identify and reflect on your needs, behaviors and challenges.
- Collaboration: Mental health care should be a joint effort, not a prescriptive one. Together with your coach or therapist, you will discuss the key reasons you’re seeking support, as well as a few goals for future sessions.
- Individualized care: You and your coach or therapist will develop a personalized plan that helps you reach the goals you established and accounts for your unique background, life experiences and personal values.
Lyra views mental health as a spectrum and understands that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Vanderbilt employees and their families are eligible to receive 12 counseling sessions per household member each year, at no cost to employees. Sign up today at vanderbilt.lyrahealth.com or call 877-804-2856.
You can view frequently asked questions on the Office of Health and Wellness website.