‘Tis the season! It’s that time of the year when the days get shorter, colder, and it’s already night by the time most people get off work. This is when more and more people are staying indoors and binge watching their favorite shows, or doing whatever they can to avoid going out into the cold. Unfortunately, for many people, this is also the time of the year when mental health issues get worse.
The decrease in sunshine and fresh air, the decrease in physical activities, plus the increase in stress caused by the holidays and shopping are the usual suspects for the annual rise of Seasonal Affective Disorder. For others who struggle with depression and anxiety year round, this time of year sees their mental health issues being challenged even more.
Some are able to navigate the holiday season without much of an issue. But if you are reading this, then you are probably looking for some help with your negative thoughts and feelings. You’re in luck! There are several options for you right here in the Fort Smith area. And I’m here to help you find the right therapist or counselor for your needs.
I want to help you find a therapist in the Fort Smith area
Finding the right therapist for you can take some time and effort. But it is really important to find a therapist that you connect well with, who understands and respects your values, and has experience dealing with the issues that you are struggling with. Taking time to consider what your needs are and which therapist would best meet those needs is crucial to your success in therapy. Trust me!
That being said, here are the best ways to find a therapist or counselor.
- Word of Mouth
Ask family and friends who you trust, ask your pastor, or if you know a therapist or counselor, ask who they would recommend as a therapist or counselor FOR YOU. These are people that can share their knowledge or experiences with therapists or counselors that they know or have worked with. That kind of feedback is invaluable! - Search Online
Doing a quick search for “therapists near me” will give you a list of dozens of options in the Fort Smith area for individual therapists or group practices. You’ll find out quickly that there are a lot of good options for therapists or counselors in our area. It may help to be more specific in your search to help you find the right person for you. For example, you might search instead for “addiction counselor near me” or “couples therapy near me.” This will give you results that are more relevant to your needs. - Psychology Today
A lot of therapists have a listing on therapist directories like Psychology Today. This is a good way to get a listing of therapists or counselors in your area as well as being able to see a brief bio about each of them. The same search rules apply here. The more specific you are with your search, the more relevant your results will be. - Free Consultations
Many therapists will offer a free minute consultation which is usually just a quick phone call to talk about what you’re needing out of therapy and to see if the therapist is a good match for you. If not, that therapist will most likely have a really good recommendation for someone in the area that would be a good match.
Do you need a therapist? Maybe not!
If you’re not sure whether seeing a therapist is right for you, or if there is something preventing you from being able to see a therapist or counselor, here are some ideas of things you can do to work on improving your mental health through the holiday and winter season.
- Plan out your days
If you’re not already a planner, start planning out your day the night before. You can use a planner or you can use the calendar on your phone. I like Google Calendar because I can update it on my phone and share it with my family. This helps you to be more intentional with your time and helps you feel more in control of how your time is spent. - Read good books
Instead of vegging out in front of the television, read some good books. Reading engages your brain in ways that watching TV doesn’t. Reading fantasy can give you a break from the stress and emotional drain of life. Reading personal development books can help you develop new skills that change how you view yourself and the world around you. Reading spiritual books can help you to reconnect or deepen your relationship with God. - Stay active
No one likes to go outside when it’s cold. So it’s easy to become more sedentary when the weather gets colder. But there are so many studies out there that show the positive impact that physical activity has on depression and anxiety. So, keep moving. Exercise at home or in a gym. Go to the mall and walk around. Take advantage of warmer days during the winter (this is the south, afterall) and go for a walk outside. Or you can even bundle up and walk outside when it’s cold. I lied, there are some crazy people that walk, run or bike outside even when it’s freezing outside. - Socialize
Make plans to get together with some friends during the winter months. Socializing helps you to feel connected to others, as opposed to feeling isolated and lonely at home. So make dinner plans, host a game night or a watch party for your favorite sport. You could even start a book discussion group – pick a topic that you and your friends are interested in and get together to talk about the book 1 or 2 chapters at a time.
Your therapy journey is just a phone call away
I hope that this information helps you to find the right therapist in the Fort Smith area. If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to contact me to set up a free 15 minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to talk with you about what is happening in your life and help direct you to the right person.
Very helpful! Thank you!