Written by Apurva Varakhedi, a NAMI CC 2025 Summer Intern.

Dual Diagnosis is a combination of diagnoses and is one of the most challenging types of cases in behavioral health treatment. But there is hope. Apurva talks about how people with Dual Diagnosis can take charge of their recovery.

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What is Dual Diagnosis and Integrated Treatment?

Dual diagnosis is a combination of diagnoses: when an individual is experiencing both a mental health disorder and a substance abuse disorder at the same time. Co-occurring disorder, co-morbidity, and dual disorder are other names for dual diagnosis.

Common examples of mental health disorders are anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, and more. Substance abuse can be defined as the excessive use of alcohol, drugs, or other addictive substances. The phenomenon of two conditions occurring together is fairly common, as researchers have found that about half of individuals experiencing substance abuse also have mental health disorders. And according to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 21.5 million adults in the US have dual diagnosis.

Integrated treatment is a specific treatment plan for those with dual diagnosis. It targets both mental health and addiction. Such an approach is important because it acknowledges the intricate relationship between substance abuse and mental health disorders. This treatment is personalized as it addresses each person’s unique needs and the underlying causes of their disorders. Integrated treatment ensures that an individual receives the necessary therapy, medication, and support for their struggles.

Step 1: Recognize Symptoms

The first step to take care of yourself is to recognize the symptoms of dual diagnosis and whether you’re experiencing them. Because dual diagnosis can involve a number of combinations, the symptoms will vary from individual to individual. Sometimes, the symptoms may overlap or mask one another, making recognition more difficult.

Substance abuse, or drug addiction, is a disorder that affects a person’s brain. It prevents an individual from controlling the use of a drug or substance, leading to continuous use of it despite the harm it inflicts.

Symptoms of substance abuse include:

• Withdrawal from loved ones
• Feeling helpless without the drug
• Difficulty focusing
• High tolerance for the substance
• Withdrawal effects from the substance
• Spending money on the drug whether or not you can afford it
• Participating in risky behavior when on the drug

Symptoms of mental health disorders include:

• Feeling sad or down
• Severe mood changes
• Difficulty focusing and concentrating
• Withdrawal from friends and hobbies
• Severe changes in eating habits
• Significant tiredness
• Suicidal thoughts

If you notice any of these symptoms, understand that you are not alone. Talking to someone else is a big step towards healing.

Step 2: Ask for Help

If you recognize any of the patterns or symptoms indicating dual diagnosis, the next step is to talk to someone. Acknowledging that you’re struggling is hard, and talking about it to others can be even harder.

Many people delay treatment or brush it off from fear of being judged or isolated from others. But you can get past this barrier by opening up to a trusted person and making them aware of your situation. Reach out to a friend or family member and let them know that you need help. Whether it’s a close friend, relative, coach, teacher, or mentor, you should allow yourself to take the weight off your shoulders by approaching them. You don’t have to figure out everything on your own, so if you do have a reliable support system, open up to them.

Step 3: Meet With a Mental Health Provider / Doctor

Once you recognize the signs of possible dual diagnosis, the next step is to schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor, who can then lead you to the right mental health professionals. They’ll be able to assess your overall health, rule out separate causes, and refer you to the right path. From there, look for psychiatrists, licensed therapists, addiction specialists, and integrated treatment clinics. Here are specific types of providers that may help.

Psychiatrists are physicians who specialize in mental health. They can identify and treat mental health disorders, and prescribe medicine. Many are also trained to treat substance use disorders.
Licensed counselors or therapists are trained to identify mental health conditions and provide counseling for many conditions. This includes Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFTs), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). They provide talk therapy and coping strategies for managing both substance use and mental health disorders.
Addiction specialists are professionals who focus specifically on substance use disorders. Some are doctors, certified in addiction medicine, while others are licensed counselors that will provide help in recovery.

Local and National Dual Diagnosis Resources:

• Contra Costa Behavioral Health
• John Muir Behavioral Health Center (Walnut Creek)
• FindTreatment.gov

Step 4: Ask About an Integrated Care Plan

Traditional care often separates mental health treatment and substance abuse treatment, which can lead to confusion and hindrance. This is why it’s important to ask for an integrated care plan, one that is designed to assess both disorders together.

Because integrated treatment often involves a team of professionals (psychiatrists, therapists, addiction counselors), patients receive specialized care. They’ll receive medication management, behavioral therapy, counseling, long term treatment, and an improved quality of life. The ultimate goal is to treat you as a whole person, not just your disorders in isolation.

Step 5: Find a Community That Will Support You

It’s incredibly important to surround yourself with people who are accepting and uplifting of you. Support groups are very beneficial to provide the emotional and social support that you need. These communities include other individuals just like you who can provide their story and offer their help.

Here are a few peer support groups:

SMART Recovery: SMART recovery is an organization that focuses on overcoming addictive behaviors and leading a more balanced life. They offer free, peer support meetings where people attend to help themselves and one another.

You can also look for any local community mental health peer programs. Everyone is different, so it’s important you find what suits you the best.

References

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24426-dual-diagnosis
2. https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/co-occurring-disorders#:~:text=Co%2Doccurring%20disorders%20may%20include,%2C%20and%20Klonopin%2C%20among%20others.&text=common%20mental%20disorders:-,The%20most%20common%20mental%20disorders:,Attention%20deficit%20hyperactivity%20disorder
3. https://www.northstarbehavioralhealthmn.com/resources/what-is-dual-diagnosis-treatment#:~:text=Dual%20diagnosis%20treatment%2C%20also%20known%20as%20integrated,disorders%20often%20have%20underlying%20mental%20health%20conditions
4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/symptoms-causes/syc-20365112
5. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/symptoms-causes/syc-20374968
6. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/in-depth/mental-health-providers/art-20045530
7. https://psyclarityhealth.com/the-importance-of-integrated-treatment-for-dual-diagnosis-and-addiction/

Written by Isabella Pacho, a NAMI CC 2025 Summer Intern. 

What alternatives to incarceration exist for individuals who are impacted by mental illness, such as peers? This post explores options and pathways to support wellness outside of the prison system.

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Jails and prisons were never meant to act as mental health facilities, yet today they contain more people who have mental illnesses than psychiatric hospitals. Throughout the United States, individuals are placed into incarceration systems with behaviors that are symptoms of untreated mental illnesses but are mistaken for criminal intent. The incarceration system fails to acknowledge the burden this has on law enforcement, the punishment of an individual’s vulnerability, and the lack of promoting rehabilitation. With this flawed system comes advocacy and change. However, alternatives to incarceration are growing, prioritizing treatment over punishment. Examples include crisis response teams, peer-led programs, and mental health courts in this growing movement. In this post, I will discuss how mental health intersects with the criminal “injustice” system and alternatives to healing over handcuffs.

Mental Health Intervention Services

There are two alternatives to incarceration within Mental Health Intervention Services. One alternative is Crisis Response Teams, also known as CRTs. This is a specialized unit that offers a health over law enforcement approach to intervention and responding to mental health emergencies. Those involved include a team of Peer Support Specialists (PSS), Mental Health Specialists, EMTs, and more. This group of trained specialists handle de-escalation and trauma informed care as opposed to use of force and/or arrests.

Another alternative to incarceration is Diversion Programs, also considered Pre-Arrest. Diversion Programs serve as an alternative to arrests, where law enforcement redirects individuals to support services. In fact, people who are having a mental health crisis do not have an intent to commit a crime but have unmet mental health needs. Supportive services include treatment of mental health symptoms, recovery programs (substance use), peer support, housing support, and case management.

The goal of Mental Health Intervention Services is to not charge someone, and if charged, drop the charge should their selected program be completed. Though designed with good intent, these Mental Health Intervention Service programs are still a work in progress. Some areas where I think they could be improved include expanding services to 24/7 care, integrating cultural competence and language access, funding for training, linking between 911 and 988 lines to dispatchers, opening up access to more location services, and integrating consistent police discretion training.

According to the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, “Diversion was found to be particularly effective for people charged with felony drug sales and violent crimes. People charged with drug sales were 19.9% less likely to recidivate and people charged with violent crimes were 17.5% less likely to recidivate after two years…Young people who completed the program were 66% less likely to recidivate after 3 years.” [12] Mental Health Intervention Services are useful because these interventions result in less jail overcrowding, improvement of public health and safety, reduced incarceration for mental illness, trust between law enforcement and marginalized communities, decreased repeat offenses, and treatment is cheaper than incarceration.

Rehabilitation Programs

More jurisdictions are realizing that mental illness is a health issue and not a crime. Because of this, Mental Health Courts are on the rise. These are specialized problem solving courts focused on keeping individuals out of jail and into supervised treatment plans. They still address the root cause of criminal behavior and hold the individual accountable, which often supports an individual with an untreated mental health disorder or illness getting the help, support, or treatment they need.

To be eligible to partake in mental health court, there are a few criteria needed. The first two criteria: one, an individual must be diagnosed with a serious mental illness, and two, they must be facing a non-violent misdemeanor or felony charge. On the other hand, the last two criteria are as follows: the individual must voluntarily agree to participate in the program, or there must be a clear connection between their mental health condition and the offense. During the court process, a team of mental health professionals, prosecutors, public defenders, a judge, case specialists, and sometimes Peer Support Specialists are present during trial. The individual is given a court-ordered treatment plan. If the individual completes and graduates from their plan, they could be granted a reduction or dismissal of charges, no incarceration, or even a sealed or expunged record.

Some benefits to mental health courts include instead of punishment, individuals are offered treatment options, promoting recovery and stability. There is a reduction in recidivism, which is returning to jail or prison. Individuals save money in court and long-term costs of jail. Plus, individuals are seen as humans, not just an offender with a number. However, there are limitations to this service. First, there are a limited number of jurisdictions that offer mental health courts, and those that do have limited capacity. Individuals with prior offenses are excluded from these courts. Clinical expectations and court rules are difficult to navigate for many who are not familiar with the system. Additionally, race and socioeconomic background affects access to mental health courts. Studies from the Consulting Psychology Journal finds that “Black and Latinx defendants are less likely to be referred to or accepted into mental health courts compared to white defendants, even when controlling for diagnosis and offense type” (Finkelman & Lopez, 2012).

Community Housing Services and Support Groups

Community-Based Treatment is offering mental health services to individuals residing in non-clinical settings, such as drop in centers or outpatient clinics. Supportive Housing offers affordable housing with mental health services, such as peer support, psychiatric care and therapy, substance use counseling, support in education and employment, and training through life skills. These approaches break the vicious cycle of recidivism, offering a long term alternative to housing stability and mental health services within local communities. Such services stop the “revolving door” effect where individuals cycle through the pattern of arrest, incarceration, and homelessness.

Factors that limit community-based treatment services from being offered include having limited access to housing and being placed on a waitlist. Funding is also an issue, as is the stigma and oppression around individuals with a criminal history.

For the future, I would suggest a track system where individuals can be placed in community based treatment and supportive housing as a route from mental health courts or jails and prisons. Peer Support Specialists are making the field of mental health transformative. These are individuals who have lived experience within incarceration, substance use, and mental illness and are trained to support individuals who are struggling with similar challenges as them. The services they offer are non-clinical and are built on a relationship of mutual respect, empathy, and trust. These individuals are essential to connecting with those who need mental health support and guidance in a system that oppresses them and doesn’t make it easy for them to have access to services.

Technology Based Interventions

A technological way of receiving psychiatric and/or therapy services is through Telehealth and Virtual Therapy. These services are useful for incarcerated individuals who have been recently released from jails or prisons and are going through court proceedings. Accessing Telehealth reduces the stigma of receiving mental health treatment, reduces costs of transportation to a clinic, and beats the clinical wait time lines. Individuals can receive these services through video calls, phone calls, and secure messaging. For example, an incarcerated individual who has a mental illness is attending mental health court. That individual can join their therapy sessions online and wouldn’t have to miss any of their in-person appointments and deadlines.

Another alternative to incarceration is Electronic Monitoring, such as ankle monitors. Incarcerated individuals are supervised through GPS tracking, while still being able to hold some freedoms within a radius.

One more alternative I would like to highlight are Hot Lines and Warm Lines, which are great for diverting individuals’ needs away from law enforcement and toward mental health care. Crisis Hotlines offer immediate support to individuals 24/7 and are composed of crisis counselors and trained professionals. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a nationwide service used throughout the United States. Warmlines are non-emergency phone calls that offer support to individuals who speak to a trained Peer Support Specialist before a crisis happens. A trained PSS offers emotional support, active listening, and resources. An example of this is NAMI Contra Costa’s Warmline, which offers support and resources to the Contra Costa community. To access NAMI Contra Costa’s office, call (925) 942-0767.

Conclusion/Takeaways

The criminal legal system has become the largest mental health provider in the U.S., often punishing individuals for untreated symptoms rather than offering support. In response, communities are embracing alternatives that prioritize care over incarceration. Programs like crisis response teams, pre-arrest diversion, and mental health courts focus on treatment, accountability, and recovery instead of jail time. Community-based treatment, supportive housing, and peer-led services offer long-term stability and help break the cycle of recidivism. Technology-based tools like telehealth, electronic monitoring, and hotlines further expand access to timely and compassionate care. While challenges like limited funding, access, and stigma remain, these approaches reflect a growing shift toward a more humane, health-centered justice system. With continued investment and reform, we can create a future where people receive the help they need–not handcuffs. NAMI Contra Costa is involved in supporting mental health treatment over incarceration by showing support in the community; attending local court hearings and trials for individuals in the community when injustice is present. I advocate that people should join us to advocate for decriminalizing mental health care because no one should be punished for experiencing a mental illness; instead, they deserve compassion, support, and access to treatment.

Sources

1. https://namicontracosta.org/
2. https://www.988california.org/
3. https://www.cchealth.org/get-care/a3-crisis-response
4. https://www.nami.org/criminal-justice-and-legal/people-need-help-not-handcuffs-mental-illness-and-the-criminal-justice-system/
5. https://www.nami.org/advocate/how-the-justice-system-fails-those-with-mental-illness/
6. https://www.nami.org/988/criminal-justice-reform-means-reforming-the-mental-health-system/
7. https://www.nami.org/advocate/all-people-deserve-quality-care-including-those-who-are-incarcerated/
8. https://telehealth.hhs.gov/
9. https://www.csh.org/
10. https://www.uscourts.gov/…/how-location-monitoring-works
11. https://courts.ca.gov/…/mental-health-courts
12. https://sfdistrictattorney.org/…/Diversion-Factsheet.pdf
13. https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fa0031675

Written by Gilian Foerster, NAMI CC 2024 Intern

The struggles in mental health from members of the LGBTQ+ community, or anyone lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more, specifically LGBTQ+ women, are highlighted in an article from National Public Radio. A new study from the Urvashi Vaid National LGBTQ+ Women’s Community Survey offers a reminder of how discrimination largely affects marginalized groups and communities. The study underlines not only the present high rates of mental illness within LGBTQ women, but also talks about systematic barriers that bar them from accessing care.

The report comes from an analysis of Urvashi’s national survey of 5,000 LGBTQ+ respondents who previously or currently identify as a woman, conducted between June 2021 and June 2022. The survey revealed that 22% of LGBTQ+ women have attempted suicide, a statistic that exceeds the national average. It also found that over half of respondents live with anxiety or depression. The National Association on Mental Illness reports that the national averages for anxiety falls at about 19 percent and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports the national average of depression to be around 18 percent. The Urvashi Vaid survey found 44 percent of LGBTQ+ women survey respondents live with anxiety and 51 percent with depression, both of these statistics are more than double the national averages of 18 and 19 percent. These results fall in line with other research showing how race, gender, and sexual orientation expands mental and health disparities. For many LGBTQ+ people of color, experiences of systemic discrimination not only add to distress, but contribute to chronic health issues. 

The survey shows that even though LGBTQ+ women face health challenges, many are unable to or unwilling to access care. While 77% of the US has a primary care physician, just over half LGBTQ+ women reported having a primary care physician. Women delay or avoid care because of cost and fear of discrimination. Savy Elahian, who led the data analysis for this report, within the NPR article states, “Historically, medical spaces have not been safe for us.” This reinforces the implications that women in the LGBTQ+ community have historically faced discomfort in medical environments and even brought into these environments to be experimented and tested on. These fears could play a role in the 14% of LGBTQ+ women who’ve never gotten a pap smear and the 1 in 3 that have never been screened for cervical cancer. LGBTQ+ women are missing out on important preventative measures and are nearly twice as likely to develop cervical cancer.

Despite the hurdles the community faces, community led care has become a vital resource. Having these peer support networks, advocacy organizations, and community health initiatives are crucial in providing informed care and helping people navigate healthcare systems. Addressing the mental health crisis with LGBTQ+ women requires more than just improving access to care, it means creating healthcare spaces that are affirming and culturally competent. Medical institutions must invest in training providers to understand and serve LGBTQ+ patients with empathy and respect.

Written by Sheila Alarcon, a NAMI CC 2024 Summer Intern

Looking for a therapist might sound as easy as typing “therapy near me” in the search engine, but how do you really find a therapist for you or a loved one? There are a lot of factors that go into finding therapy, such as economic worries, the type of therapy you are searching for, and even understanding credentials. Additionally, there are resources and benefits that many folks are not aware of. Here, a little bit of everything will be explained to aid your search. 

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What is SSI and SSDI? 

Programs under the Social Security Administration such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability (SSDI), are programs beneficial to people from a low income background who can no longer support themselves through work due to a long-lasting medical condition. Applying to these programs can ease the financial stress that paying for medical bills can cause. To understand the difference between these two separate programs, let’s take a look at them individually. SSI is strictly need-based, which means that it is available to low-income folks who haven’t earned enough “work credits” to qualify for SSDI. To qualify, they must be older than 65 years of age, have been blind from any age, have a disability, or have limited income and resources. Those qualified for SSI are also most likely to be qualified for Medicaid and food stamps. SSDI, which is funded through payroll taxes, is available to those from ages 18 to 65 who have earned sufficient work credits and have a disability, as defined by Social Security. After 24 months of receiving SSDI, the receiver will be eligible for Medicare. The receiver’s spouse and dependents will be eligible to receive auxiliary benefits, known as partial dependent benefits. For more information and how to apply, the Social Security Administration website, ssa.org, is a good place to look. 

Medicaid is a health care program for folks with limited income and resources, which pays for various medical services. In California, Medi-Cal, is the corresponding medicaid program. On the other hand, Medicare is an insurance program that is federally funded and is available for those who are 65 years of age or older. One thing to keep in mind is that Medicare does not cover 100% of all medical costs, but there are supplemental Medicare-related insurance products for purchase that could help reduce the cost. 

Finding therapy with no insurance can be hard, as out of pocket pay can be very expensive, creating a barrier to access to health care. If you don’t have any insurance, you can apply for medicaid. To apply for medicaid, or if you’re in California, Medi-Cal, there are three options: applying by mail, in person, or online. There are certain therapy resources that take medicaid, easing this financial stress. Services offered that are covered by Medi-Cal include inpatient and outpatient mental health services, outpatient specialty mental health services, outpatient substance use disorder services, voluntary inpatient detoxification, and residential treatment services. In the county of Contra Costa, if you have Medi-Cal or Medicare, you can access behavioral health services through the East County Adult Mental Health Services, Central County Adult Mental Health Services, and the West County Adult Mental Health Services, depending on what area is more convenient for you. These three clinics provide psychiatric emergency services, mental health care, various forms of counseling, evaluations, medications, and even case management. This program provides these services at a low cost, and is available not only for adults with a mental illness, but also the caregivers. 

Picture of NAMI staff signing up for Medi-Cal. 

Understanding The Types of Therapy Offered 

Upon hearing the word “therapy,” the first thing that most people think about is a person sitting across a dull office space with a pen and notepad in hand, ready to hear you talk. But actually, therapy is much more than that. It is a medical treatment tailored to your own needs, with the guidance of a professional. Before understanding the different types of therapy offered, it is vital to understand the different types of professionals who can help and their credentials. When searching for therapy, there are several titles for professionals who can help: a psychologist, a therapist, a counselor, and a psychiatrist. A psychologist has a doctoral degree in psychology who diagnoses disorders, makes referrals, comes up with treatment plans, and identifies both behavioral and emotional problems of their patient. A therapist has a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling and/or therapy, delivers evidence based therapy techniques, and holds weekly sessions with their patients. A counselor, similar to a therapist, is usually short term in comparison to a therapist and instead offers targeted support. Lastly, a psychiatrist holds a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) title, has clinical training, can prescribe medication, and holds sessions with their patients only on an as needed basis. When searching for therapy, it can also be helpful to schedule an informational interview, in order to get a feel for what interacting with the professional is like. 

There are various forms of therapy that are offered according to one’s needs and/or diagnosis. A commonly used form is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which is used by a therapist, in order to work on unhealthful thoughts that cause self-destructive behaviors, and instead focus on building constructive thinking skills. Within CBT, there is exposure therapy, which is used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and phobias, by determining what it is that triggers anxiety. Similarly, therapists may also use dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), as a way to develop skills that bridge uncomfortable thoughts with change and acceptance. Other forms of therapy include eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), which can be a bit more difficult to find and on the expensive side but has strong evidence for treating trauma or other challenging conditions successfully. Interpersonal therapy, mentalization-based therapy, psychodynamic therapy, animal-assisted therapy, emotion-focused therapy (EFT), family therapy, group therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, creative arts therapy, and play therapy, are all additional forms of therapy available depending on the patient’s diagnosis or needs. 

Benefits of Therapy

Each separate type of therapy has its own set of benefits, which is why it is tailored to specific needs. One of the most common types of therapy, psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, has many benefits that will be further discussed. These benefits include: gaining confidence to improve communication skills, successfully resolving any conflict, treatment of mental illness, gaining self awareness to improve overall health, improving relationships with friends and family, gaining a skill set for coping mechanisms and setting boundaries, finding a positive support system, building and maintaining strong relationships, transforming negative emotions into positive ones, and increasing productivity at work and in your personal life. Just like every body responds to a medication in a different way, these benefits may or may not be acquired by everyone, and the time frame in which results can be seen will vary. It is important to note that therapy takes time and patience. I would personally advise to stick to one professional for a few sessions before switching to a new one, as progress is hard to decipher after a single session. 

Resources 

There are online resources available, such as psychologytoday.com, which make searching for a therapist easier. To narrow down the search once in the webpage, you can pick between searching for a therapist, psychiatrist, treatment center, or support group, as well as the city in which you are seeking help. There are also many filters that will further help you narrow down the search, such as gender, medical degrees and credentials and specialties of the professional, as well as in-person versus online treatment, your insurance type, type of therapy that you are looking for, your age, ethnicity, sexuality, language, faith, and even price range for individuals or for couples. 

Screenshot of Medi-Cal Therapists in Contra Costa County, CA search on pyschologytoday.com. 

My Therapy Search Experience  

In my experience, I didn’t realize that I needed therapy until I began to talk about it with a friend who had been through the process themselves. Knowing where to start was difficult, as it was all new to me, but fortunately I was able to find assistance through my university’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). I was given the option of in-person therapy or virtual therapy; and I opted for the latter. I was terrified of the thought of having to sit in front of a stranger, which made online therapy very appealing to me. Navigating the website was like browsing for a potential date. Each therapist available had a small autobiography that I was able to read and determine if their values and approaches aligned with what I believed would be the best fit for me at that time. The process of selecting a therapist was not as intimidating as I thought it would be. I was given the choice of picking someone who I believed would be a good match, without the fear that I would have to be stuck with them if I didn’t like them, because the possibility of switching therapists later on was there. As I navigated through each session, I gained tools that I could use in my everyday life, and could even teach others. After working with my therapist for a while, I noticed that I wasn’t as anxious about my diagnosis as I was before I started. My mood began to elevate and I was doing better in social outings. This also  aided the succeeding conversations that I was having regarding mental health with myself, my peers, and loved ones. 

Conclusion

In sum, therapy is a tool that is used by a variety of professionals within the behavioral health field. It is a means for one’s mental well being-no diagnosis required. Just as various mental illnesses exist, there are also various types of therapy that help with those diagnoses, such as the most common ones like psychotherapy, CBT, and DBT. Everyone’s path to finding suitable therapy is different as there are many factors that play a key role in searching. If qualified, there are programs such as SSI and SSDI that can help with getting medical insurance like Medicare or Medi-Cal, in California. There are also online resources, like pyschologytoday.com, that can help with searching for a therapist from the comfort of your own home. As mentioned previously, the results gained from the use of therapy will vary from person to person and will not always be the same; however with dedication and patience, you may experience throughout your journey to a flourishing new lifestyle. 

References

Should you see a therapist, a psychologist, or a psychiatrist?. Keeping Tempo. (n.d.). https://blog.findoctave.com/should-you-see-a-therapist-a-psychologist-or-a-psychiatrist?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=CAPMax&utm_content=PMAXCA&utm_term=&d=c&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAC9IUD3UfneCzh9ejzpjlNBoaW6W3&gclid=CjwKCAjwqf20BhBwEiwAt7dtdRVzNpaNuNxJ78R-oKo2ccE9FFKZlvpERgJF_8YQV1X2jXd0Rq9AQBoCMMEQAvD_BwE 

Medicare and Medi-Cal. CA.gov. (n.d.). https://seniors.insurance.ca.gov/hc/Medicare-and-MediCal.cfm#:~:text=Medi%2DCal%20is%20California’s%20Medicaid,eligible%20participants%2065%20or%20over. 

Muraskin, A. (2023, July 2). A step-by-step guide to finding a therapist. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/07/02/1185661348/start-therapy-find-therapist-how-to 

Rosenblatt, K. (2021, October 18). 12 rewarding benefits of therapy. Talkspace. https://www.talkspace.com/blog/benefits-of-therapy/ 

Smith Haghighi, A. (2020, June 30). Types of therapy: For anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD and more. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/types-of-therapy 

SSI vs. SSDI: The Differences, Benefits, and How to Apply. The National Council on Aging. (2023, December 11). https://www.ncoa.org/article/ssi-vs-ssdi-what-are-these-benefits-how-they-differ 

WebMD. (2023, July 8). What is a psychologist? what they do, when to see one, and what to expect. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-psychologist