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Counsellor for Bipolar Disorder
Who is a Counselor?
A counselor is a mental health professional qualified to treat various general and specific mental health concerns. They are trained in different styles of therapy, with the most prominent being talk-based therapy.
The expert helps address, clarify, and understand the problem at hand. Further, they also focus on exploring different adaptive coping strategies to help the client gain insight and improve their well-being.
What Are the Qualifications of Counselors for Bipolar Disorder?
The process to become a counselor entails completing an undergraduate and postgraduate degree in counseling, mental health, social work, or psychology. During this period, internships and training in sub-specialties of counseling are also recommended.
Further, counselors also have the opportunity to gain certification in specific forms of psychotherapy including cognitive-behavioral therapy(CBT), EMDR, interpersonal therapy, etc.
What Does a Bipolar Disorder Counselor Do?
A counselor usually delivers treatment in collaboration with psychologists and psychiatrists. Being trained in different types of therapy, allows them to offer personalized care that helps recognize, accept, and cope with the symptoms of bipolar disorder.
A few prominent methods used in counseling for this condition include cognitive behavioral therapy, family-focused therapy, social rhythms therapy, and psychoeducation.
As counselors for bipolar disorder, their goal is not limited to symptom management. Rather, they strive to promote long-term recovery.
Difference Between a Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Therapist & Counsellor?
Ideally, treating any mental health condition requires the combined efforts of a psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor, and therapist. Despite the end goal being the same, the approaches used to reach this goal may vary among these experts.
A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in treating different mental health conditions. They effectively do so by prescribing medication.
A psychologist is a mental health professional with an M.Phil or Ph.D. in psychology. They treat various mental health disorders using different psychotherapeutic modalities. However, as compared to a psychiatrist, psychologists are not allowed to prescribe medication.
A counselor and therapist follow an approach similar to that of a psychologist. They are trained to address and treat both daily concerns and specific mental health conditions using approaches like talk-based therapy.
What Diseases Are Treated by a Counselor?
A mental health counselor is trained in treating a wide range of psychological conditions. With the support, guidance, and skills they deliver, individuals can learn to effectively gain insight and cope with their condition.
In addition to helping people cope with daily stressors or general feelings of anxiety and low self-esteem, counselors are also specialized in dealing with specific conditions including grief, phobias, addiction, anger management, eating disorders, personality disorders, relationship issues, etc.
What to Expect During an Appointment With a Counselor?
Reaching out to a counselor is an important step toward recovery. To assist in coping and recovery, they may conduct psychological assessments.
These assessments will provide the necessary details and help them determine a comprehensive treatment plan. Further, they may ask questions associated with medical and family history, occupational status, educational background, and relationship status to determine other attributes that may contribute to the condition.
In addition to this, based on the severity of the condition counselors may also be involved in supervision and assistance daily.
When to See a Counselor for Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is classified as a mood disorder that involves drastic shifts in mood, from highs (mania) to extreme lows (depression).
A fluctuating state of mind as seen through the opposing emotions and feelings of mania and depression are prominent indicators of seeking therapy. A few signs include
Depressive episodes:
- Fatigue
- Loss of interest in activities
- Social withdrawal
- Loss of appetite or overeating
Manic episodes:
- Decreased need for sleep
- Impulsive
- Highly energetic
- Irritable
- Highly goal-oriented
Why Should an Individual Consult a Bipolar Disorder Counselor?
Consulting a counselor for bipolar disorder can go a long way in aiding with coping and recovery. As the client addresses their stressors, the counselor strives to understand the origin of the issue and provides different strategies to gain insight and overcome the symptoms.
Further, the counselor works with both the client and their family to ensure hassle-free recovery.
How Often Does Someone Need to Visit a Bipolar Disorder Counselor?
The frequency of sessions with a counselor for bipolar disorder varies based on the severity of the condition. For those with severe fluctuations in mood, hospitalization or rehabilitation may also be recommended.
In such cases, the counselor can also supervise and assist the client while they face the symptoms.
How to Find the Best Bipolar Disorder Counselor Near You?
Finding a psychiatrist or psychologist for bipolar disorder is easy, but this may not be the case with counselors. Despite this, various platforms including websites, social media, mental health applications, and helplines have increased access to counseling services. You can refer to these sources to find the best counselor for bipolar disorder.
During this process of finding a counselor, you may want to shift between practitioners till you find a professional that is the right fit for you. This is entirely valid as your comfort and safety are of utmost importance.
Why Cadabams?
With over three decades of experience, Cadabams strives to deliver quality mental health care for all. Regardless of the psychiatric condition, our experts trained in the latest treatment modalities aim to design customizable and holistic treatment plans that help manage symptoms while also improving your overall well-being.
Facilities & Services within Cadabams.
Our experts offer multiple treatment options that cater to your needs. These include:
- Outpatient services: Our expert professionals offer consultations for a wide range of mental health disorders.
- Rehabilitation: In-patient care that involves a holistic treatment approach while collaborating with fellow residents.
- Emergency care: Hospitalization in the case of emergencies involves round-the-clock supervision and care.
Confidentiality.
The foundation of any professional-client relationship is trust. This refers to maintaining confidentiality.
Our experts are held to the highest standards of confidentiality, that is, they are prohibited from sharing personal information about the client unless and until it is needed. For instance, if the condition can cause serious and irreversible harm to themselves or those around them.
FAQs
Can Counselors Cure Bipolar Disorder?
The training and expertise that counselors are equipped with make them more than capable of treating various mental health conditions including bipolar disorder.
However, for severe cases of bipolar disorder, seeking assistance from psychologists and psychiatrists while delivering counseling techniques to the client can help promote long-term recovery.
Are All Mental Disorders Treated by Counselors?
Counselors are certified mental health professionals that can address and treat both general and specific mental health issues.
The talk-based style of therapy they use has focused on treating depression, anxiety, grief, obsessive-compulsive disorder, neurodevelopmental disorders, impulse-control disorders, and more.
How Does a Counselor Treat Bipolar Disorder?
A counselor first assesses the symptoms of bipolar disorder. This is determined through psychological assessments and other techniques.
Once they have reached a comprehensive diagnosis, they will administer different psychotherapeutic techniques to help the individual recognize and cope with the symptoms.
For severe cases, the counselor will treat the symptoms in collaboration with both a psychiatrist and a psychologist.
How to Consult a Bipolar Disorder Counselor Online?
With various websites and mental health applications providing access to counselors for bipolar disorder, online consultation has been made more convenient.
Online video consultation will allow you to address your concerns in the comfort of your home. However, it is recommended to attend an offline session if it is your first time seeking psychotherapy.
What Are Some Subspecialties of Psychology?
The skills of a counselor are not limited to a clinical setting. With years of training and expertise, they can provide services across other settings and address different concerns. Here are some of the subspecialties within the field:
- Health Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Neuropsychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- Child and Adolescent Psychology
- Counseling Psychology
