How My BetterHelp Therapist Helped Me Feel Alive Again After Hitting Rock Bottom- Amanda
For the over 41.7 million US adults in therapy, finding a counselor that makes a difference can be one of the most essential aspects of mental healthcare. With a broad client base turning to online therapists, clients like Amanda tell their stories of meeting with a therapist that made a difference. Reading these accounts can help you decide whether therapy is the right choice for you.
Amanda's therapy experience
The following is an honest review written by an actual BetterHelp patient named Amanda:
"I went without treatment for multiple mental health-related issues for a long time.
There aren't many resources available where I live that I have been happy with. My previous counselor forgot who I was from appointment to appointment, and she would take personal calls during our appointments to discuss furniture and groceries with her family. Meanwhile, my transit commute was approximately an hour to see her.
However, because that's all my insurance could provide me with in my financial situation, I continued going despite feeling extremely dissatisfied. Eventually, I stopped seeing that counselor and worked through some volatile withdrawal symptoms without professional therapeutic help.
My doctor prescribed me multiple medications, which only worsened my condition. I went on with my life, still very depressed, insecure, and hating myself and everything and everyone in my proximity. I wouldn't eat because I was too sad, and I lost a lot of weight over the course of a year. My relationship fell apart, and the heartbreak of losing the person I loved the most was overwhelming. My job was depressing and slow, with lots of idle time to wallow in misery.
I hit rock bottom and started writing goodbye letters to my friends and family. I thought about it so much I had become resigned to it. Every day, I wanted it to be over; the pain never stopped. I would have crying breakdowns at work and then come home and collapse on the floor in front of the fridge, too exhausted and sad to eat food. This process was regular for me for over a year.
Then one day, I woke up to find out my cousin had committed suicide. It broke my heart, and I felt such an impact even though we weren't close. Yet, it felt like it was too close to me. It shook me; it was such a sad ending. So, the following day, I decided to seek proper help.
Then I remembered seeing ads on Instagram and Facebook for online counseling through BetterHelp. They had been popping up in my feed for the last year or two. It intrigued me, so I investigated it, and the rates were refreshing! For the cost of one appointment, I got a whole month. Another feature I loved was that I could choose my counselor and switch them anytime if I wasn't satisfied. This option is excellent for people with my kind of disposition.
If I don't get on well with my provider or feel comfortable, I will not open up, so selecting my therapist gave me control over the situation. The final thing that won me over was that all sessions were via live chat or video calls. I didn't have to commute an hour to get to my appointment. Instead, I could write what I was feeling or experiencing anytime.
I chose Beth Ellen Hancock, who had a lot of experience with the specific issues I was facing: low self-worth, anorexia, depression, high anxiety, obsessive thoughts, poor impulse control, and so on. She responded very quickly, and we began our work together. I appreciated her investment in my situation; it was exactly what I needed. She provided me with multiple tools and distraction techniques that allowed me to overcome my obsessive thoughts. My favorite thing is counting by sevens to distract myself from obsessing. It works for me because it's complicated enough to require all my attention. It honestly didn't take long to see improvement in my moods. I have been with Beth for almost a month, and now I'm eating correctly and putting more effort into caring for myself.
I am totally in love with BetterHelp! I needed therapy, not medication, and so many other people in the same situation. Medication sometimes covers up an issue without resolving it. Sometimes, we need someone outside our minds and patterns to help us form better reactions. This interactive therapy has allowed me to control my situations instead of letting them control me. Seeing a therapist is probably my most significant accomplishment because I feel in control. Before I started this therapy, I felt grey, colorless, and dying inside. Now I feel hopeful, happy, content, and calm. I highly recommend this service to anyone who needs thorough help figuring out themselves and their challenges.
It made me want to be alive again."
Counseling options
Thousands of clients like Amanda have started seeking online therapy due to its convenience, cost-effectiveness, and availability. In addition, scientific studies and surveys have found that online therapy is effective in treating the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Other studies have found that internet-based therapy is more cost-effective than in-person treatments.
If you're in a low place or are seeking someone to talk to about any topic, consider signing up with an online platform like BetterHelp, which offers availability to a database of over 30,000 therapists. You don't need a diagnosis to get started, and you can choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions with your licensed therapist.
Takeaway
How do I know if I’ve hit rock bottom?
Concerning mental health, “rock bottom” means reaching a point of despair, emptiness, or sense that you can’t go on in the same way. At rock bottom, many people realize that they need to make changes to improve their lives or get relief.
While many people believe you need to hit “rock bottom” to accept that you need help, people with serious mental illnesses can’t always see their situation clearly, and it’s much safer to get help before things spiral to the point of despair.
If you’re experiencing symptoms that cause you or others distress, interfere with your ability to carry out daily functions, or leave you unsatisfied with your life, consider contacting a talk therapist.
Can you recover from rock bottom?
Even if you’ve reached a place of significant distress or crisis, you can get better. There are many free 24/7 crisis helplines available, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and the Crisis Textline (Text Home to 741741).
In addition to working with a licensed therapist and medical practitioner, there are some things you can do on your own to improve your mental health:
Practice self-acceptance: Talk to yourself the way you would a close friend, using gentle, kind, and encouraging language
Try some self-care strategies: Journaling, meditation, mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, yoga, walking in the park, calling your best friend, drinking some herbal tea, cooking a meal from your childhood, or petting your dog are all self-care strategies that can provide comfort and help you regulate your emotions
Get involved in your community: Try signing up for a class at your local community center, volunteering for a cause that you care about, or joining a support group
Research shows that around 75% of people who try talk therapy get at least some benefit from it. In combination with medications and self-care strategies, many people experience improvements in symptoms of serious mental disorders.
What should you do if you’re depressed but can’t afford therapy?
Talk therapy can be expensive, especially if you don’t have health insurance or cannot find an in-network provider. Here are some options that might help:
Ask about sliding scales
Some therapists offer flexible payment structures, such as sliding scales, to increase the accessibility of services based on the client's ability to pay. If the therapist offers a sliding scale model, they may ask for documentation such as proof of include or tax returns.
Join a support group
There are many support groups available online and in person. Mental Health America provides a list of specialized support groups for challenges like Alzheimer’s disease, substance use disorders, domestic violence recovery, caregiver stress, eating disorders, and more. Many of these support groups are available free of charge.
Contact a crisis helpline
Crisis helplines are typically staffed 24/7, providing free support services by trained crisis counseling volunteers. While this option may not be the best for long-term support, helpline staff may be able to connect you with free or low-cost services.
The American Psychological Association provides an extensive list of reputable mental health helplines for challenges such as disaster distress, child abuse, sexual assault, veteran support, and suicide prevention. Many of these services have accessible options for non-English speakers and people who are hard of hearing or deaf.
Research your local resources
Your state or county may offer free or low-cost mental health programs and services.
Work with a psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health. They can prescribe psychiatric medications, and many of them offer psychotherapy as part of their treatment plans.
Try online therapy
Online talk therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy and is often more cost-effective. Platforms like BetterHelp offer online therapy that typically costs about the same as your co-payment for an in-network therapist.
Try some self-care strategies
Meditation, mindfulness, journaling, calling a loved one, walking in a park, yoga, tai chi, deep breathing, playing music, and exercise can improve your mood and help you cope with stressors.
You can also try listening to podcasts or reading books written by licensed therapists, or try using some free worksheets, which can help you develop a growth mindset, challenge negative thoughts, define your values, write gratitude letters, and more.
Practice radical self-acceptance
Radical self-acceptance means accepting yourself, flaws and all, for who you are and your experience in the world. This practice can help you accept the things in life that you cannot change.
Are there signs that mean it’s time to start therapy?
Here’s a non-extensive list of signs and symptoms to watch for:
Trauma: It’s a good idea to work with a therapist if you’ve experienced traumatic events, such as living through a natural disaster, abuse, neglect, a diagnosis with a serious or chronic illness, a traumatic birth, or an accident. Working with a therapist after experiencing a traumatic event can reduce your risk of developing a disorder like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Chronic stress: Feeling overwhelmed, depleted, irritable, digestive issues, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, and changes in appetite can all be signs of chronic stress. Often, people use maladaptive coping, such as substance use, rumination, avoidance, self-harm, or emotional numbing to deal with stress. In the long term, these strategies can lead to worsening mental and physical health, but a therapist can teach you healthier coping tools and stress reduction techniques.
Sleep or eating changes: Sleeping more than usual or having trouble falling and staying asleep can be signs of distress. Similarly, significant changes in appetite, eating habits, or weight can signify emotional distress. In some cases, these symptoms can be indicative of an underlying mental health disorder.
Interpersonal challenges: If you’re navigating issues in a relationship with friends, family, romantic partners, co-workers, or others, it may be time to work with a therapist. They can help you work on communication skills, such as conflict resolution, active listening, boundary setting, and using “I” language.
Other signs: Hopelessness, irritability, difficulty regulating intense emotions, sadness, languishing, obsessive thoughts, low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating, and negative self-talk are all signs that you might benefit from talking with a therapist.
Even if you have no specific concerns, talk therapy can be a preventative mental health tool. By establishing a relationship with a therapist now, you’ll have someone who can help with early symptom detection, and they’ll be available to help you navigate stressors—like changing jobs, moving, getting married, or having children.
What are the pros and cons of online therapy?
Some of the benefits of online therapy can include:
Easier to schedule appointments
Greater access to specialized therapists in your state
Lower cost
Accessibility of sessions
Concealed
Comfort of attending sessions from home
Ability to schedule sessions outside of normal business hours
However, online therapy might not be the best option for people navigating a serious mental health crisis, and it may not work well for people who lack stable internet access.
I’ve tried therapy before, and it didn’t work. Should I try it again?
There are many different types of psychotherapy (talk therapy). Some types, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), are short-term and goal oriented. Other types of therapy, like psychodynamic therapy, can be more exploratory and help you investigate your past.
If you’ve tried one type of therapy and didn’t find it beneficial, consider trying a different type or working with a different therapist. Therapists have different levels of education, experiences, and approaches to therapy, and it can take some trial and error to find the right therapist for you.
Some people find it helpful to work with a therapist who shares a spiritual/religious background, cultural background, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Platforms like BetterHelp use questionnaires to match you with a therapist who sounds like a good fit, asking questions like “Do you prefer to be matched with a therapist who is part of the LGBTQ+ community?”
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