5 Signs You Should See a Behavioral Health Counselor
Post Date: Dec 08, 2021
Behavioral Health
Behavioral health refers to how your daily actions and habits impact your mental and physical health. You might think of it as an umbrella that includes mental health, along with other things that impact your life, like obesity and drug use. Working with a behavioral health counselor can help you combat negative thoughts and behaviors, helping you find peace and increase your quality of life. Whether you’re feeling stressed or down, struggling with substance abuse, or struggling with something you can’t put a name to, a behavioral health counselor at your local community health clinic can offer therapies and techniques to help you start feeling better. At Community Health Partners, your behavioral health counselor will partner with your primary care provider, who can recommend medications as well, as needed.
Not sure if you need the help of a counselor? Here are a few signs to look out for that may point you toward seeking help from a counselor at CHP.
You feel down more than usual or for a long period of time
If you notice feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or numbness; losing interest in things you used to love; and fatigue, insomnia, or loss of appetite, making an appointment with a counselor can be a good first step towards feeling better and living a fuller life.
Though there’s no single cause of depression, it can be tied to a number of factors. Illness, drug and alcohol use, childbirth, traumatic events and your DNA can all lead to depression. None of that is your fault, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. In Montana in 2019, 24.1% of adults reported that a health professional told them they had a depressive disorder. Those numbers likely include more people in your life than you may realize.
You’re not able to fulfill responsibilities
When you’re not able to follow through on your responsibilities, either ones you have to others—like showing up to work on time for your employer or spending quality time with your family—or to yourself—like working out or going to the art class you signed up for—that can be a strong indicator that you should see a counselor.
Avoiding your commitments might hint at a mental health concern like depression, or something in your life might be off-balance. A behavioral health counselor can work with you to find strategies that will help you cope and get back to what’s most important in life.
You feel nervous or on-edge
Feeling anxious or nervous at times is a regular part of everyday life, but it can get out of control. In some cases, it can be debilitating, causing you to isolate yourself and struggle to sleep at night. If you’re feeling anxious more than 50 percent of the time, it’s time to get help. A behavioral health counselor can work with you on strategies and actionable ways to manage your anxiety, keeping stress from weighing you down and interfering with you living your life.
Unwanted weight gain is bothering you
There’s a wide range of healthy weights for all body types, so weight is far from being one-size-fits all. But if you’re overweight and it’s causing physical or emotional problems for you, a behavioral health counselor can offer tools to help you find the health that fits you best. You might find that you miss being able to run around outside with your kids, or you’ve recently learned that you’re pre-diabetic but struggling to get your eating habits back on track. These are things a behavioral health counselor can help you with.
Alcohol, smoking or drug use gets in the way
An occasional drink usually shouldn’t be cause for concern. But when alcohol consumption starts to get in the way of your life, you might benefit from working with a behavioral health counselor. Other substances like drugs and cigarettes can also interfere with you living the best life possible.
For behavioral health resources and to get in touch with a counselor, your local CHP clinics in Belgrade, Bozeman, Livingston and West Yellowstone are just a phone call away. Reach out to your nearest clinic and start your journey to feeling better.
