Viewer Question - I know someone who sees a counselor. He seems “normal” so why is he seeing a therapist?

Dr. Linda's Response - Many of you are reluctant to go to a therapist or counselor when you need help. Why? Because you think it means you are mentally ill. Jokingly, people say to me, ‘I’m a basket case and need your help, or “I must be crazy to have to see you.” Most of the time this is far from the truth. The people I see in therapy, for the most part, are very sane and decent people. They are simply stuck and need help getting unstuck.  

If you think of mental health on a continuum of health, it may help you. On the one end you have perfect mental health. On the other you have mental illness.

The continuum looks like this:

mental health - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - mental illness

We all function somewhere on this imaginary line.

Good mental health involves being productive in activities, having good ability to perform mental functions, having fulfilling relationships, being able to adapt to change and cope with adversity. Mental illness is when your ability to do these things breaks down. Usually, there is a diagnosable mental disorder.

When you face a life problem, you may find it helpful to bring in a neutral party. Someone trained and experienced can help you resolve the problem and give you the tools you need to move on with life.

Examples of problems people bring to therapy are coping with divorce, family conflict, problems raising children, depression, anxiety, eating problems, alcohol and drug problems, child compliance difficulties, feelings of low self-esteem, trauma, coping with illness, loss, etc.

God wants you experiencing good mental health. According to His word, He has given you a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7). In addition Jesus frequently talks about the abundant life you can live. In order to experience all God has for you, you must guard your heart and mind. That means you need to meditate on the Word and act according to Godly principles.  It may also mean you need to get help to move you from that stuck place to that unstuck place.  

Dr. Mintle – author, professor, Approved Supervisor and Clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy – is a speaker and media personality, as well as a licensed clinical social worker with over twenty years in psychotherapy practice.

For more articles and information, visit Dr. Linda Mintle's Web site.