MyThoughts

     Now that the summer months are coming to an end and Fall is setting in, many people decide to initiate therapy for the first time while others may return after a sabbatical.  Busier work schedules, children returning to school and changes in weather can cause increased stress in personal, marital and family relationships sparking people to seek the assistance of a counselor or therapist.  Problems with depression and anxiety are also exacerbated during this time of year which is another reason why I am choosing to highlight what people can expect when they come to me for help.  
     First Contact- the therapeutic relationship starts when someone first contacts me by phone or sometimes by email.  If I am unavailable when someone contacts me I will get back to them within the same day, usually within a few hours.  My goal is to talk to the person on the phone so I can get them to summarize what the presenting problems are and why they decided to seek help at the current time.  If their presenting problems are something that I can assist them with then I will schedule an appointment for them to come in.  If their presenting problem is something that falls outside of the scope of my practice, I will try to refer them to another professional that may be able to help.  
     At some point in the phone conversation I will explain to them my process of conducting an evaluation with all new clients that I see whether they are individuals, couples or families.  The evaluation is approximately 3-5 sessions depending on the nature of the problems and how many people are present.  During the evaluation, I would be gathering info about the nature and history of the problem.  I would also be asking questions about family history and previous therapy experiences.  At the end of the evaluation, I then give my thoughts as to what I believe is going on and what direction I believe would be most helpful.  The evaluation also gives the client(s) a chance to get some idea of who I am and, if we decide to continue, whether they would be comfortable working with me. 
     The evaluation that I conduct is no different than an evaluation a medical doctor would perform.  If someone consulted a doctor for pain in their lower back, the doctor would want to first run a series of tests in order to find out exactly what the problem was before treating it.  The evaluation gives me a chance to learn about the nature and causes of the underlying problems rather than using conjecture and running the risk of misdiagnosis.
     Next month I will discuss and outline what to expect during the initial office visit.  I will also talk about some of the fears and reservations that delay or prevent people from seeking professional help from a counselor or therapist.
 
Sincerely,

Nathan M. Comerford, MA, LLPC, NCC

Nathan M. Comerford is a psychotherapist in Farmington Hills, MI who has been helping people with their relationship issues, emotional difficulties and mental health problems for the past 8 years. 

Thought Perspectives Counseling
31275 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 120
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Phone: (248) 932-7799
www.thoughtperspectives.com

• If you or someone you know needs to speak to someone regarding relationship issues, emotional difficulties or mental health problems, help is a phone call away.  Schedule an appointment today!
  Just call (248) 932-7799 to set up an appointment with
  Nathan Comerford, MA LLPC NCC.
      
  Visit www.thoughtperspectives.com for more information on counseling and psychotherapy!
  
  Visit the "Ask the Counselor" Blog at:www.thoughtperspectives.com/blog
  
• This is a question and answer blog where Nathan answers questions concerning mental health topics.
•  If you have a question, you can send it to: questions@thoughtperspectives.com to have it answered by: Nathan Comerford, MA, LLPC, NCC.

It may be hard to believe but we are already halfway through the second month of 2009.  The New Year is quickly passing us by.  While some were sad to see 2008 come to an end, many were happy to give it their final farewell in hopes of starting over and making some positive changes in 2009.  An effective way of starting fresh and making some lifestyle changes is by setting and abiding by New Year's resolutions.  It is a great way to commit to the process of making positive change as well as learning to avoid the negative patterns of the previous year.
     For many, improving mental health and quality of life or protecting the sanctity of close relationships needs to be a priority in 2009.  While the economy and the job market are still on a continual decline, the mental health of our nation is declining along side of them.  Increased stress, depression, anxiety, financial problems and relationship strain are just a few prognostications of deteriorating mental health that have recently become evident. 
     There is a significant connection between our mental health and several other important areas of our lives (physical health, financial habits, relationships etc.).  We tend to make better decisions and feel more empowered when we are in a positive state of mind.  On the flip side, we tend to make poor decisions and feel worthless when we are in a negative state of mind.  My own clients demonstrate these trends on a regular basis.  When I assist my clients in overcoming their emotional issues and relationship problems, they start living more satisfying lives.  I have helped people to start weight loss and exercise programs, improve their financial situations by making better decisions with money and feel that their lives have more meaning.  Once I can assist them to eliminate the mental blocks and negative behavioral patterns responsible for their lack of progress, they start to move forward and become happier.
     It is difficult to make progress in any area of life when our mental health is not at an optimum level.  When we are depressed, we do not feel like exercising or taking care of ourselves.  When we are struggling with anxiety, we might make impulsive financial decisions.  Counseling and psychotherapy can help to improve our mental health and our overall well being. 
     Many people are struggling financially which may prevent them from seeking the treatment they need.  Personally, I never want to see financial difficulties hinder the treatment process.  I offer several different options for those who think they cannot afford counseling.  I am willing to work with people in order to help them get effective treatment that they can afford.  I also specialize in helping people to identify and overcome their bad financial habits, to devise a financial plan to achieve their personal goals and to assist them in impulse control.  Many times my clients will complete counseling feeling more financially stable with a greater sense of responsibility. 
     Mental health needs to be taken seriously.  The sooner treatment is initiated, the sooner one can start to improve their life and eliminate emotional distress.

Sincerely,



Nathan M. Comerford, MA, LLPC, NCC
    
     
If you or someone you know needs to speak to someone regarding relationship issues, emotional difficulties or mental health problems, help is a phone call away.  Schedule an appointment today!
Just call (248) 932-7799 to set up an appointment with
Nathan Comerford, MA LLPC NCC.
    
Visit www.thoughtperspectives.com for more information on counseling and psychotherapy!

Visit the "Ask the Counselor" Blog at:www.thoughtperspectives.com/blog

• This is a question and answer blog where Nathan answers questions concerning mental health topics.
•  If you have a question, you can send it to: questions@thoughtperspectives.com to have it answered by: Nathan Comerford, MA, LLPC, NCC.

Nathan M. Comerford is a psychotherapist in Farmington Hills, MI who has been helping people with their relationship issues, emotional difficulties and mental health problems for the past 8 years. 

Thought Perspectives Counseling
31275 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 120
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Phone: (248) 932-7799
www.thoughtperspectives.com