Adapted from the Ellie Mental Health (formerly Ellie Family Services) website
Ellie Mental Health will have appointments at SOTV beginning in September 2021. Appointments are available from 5:00 – 8:00 pm in the Care Ministry Office. You can learn more and fill out a referral form at sotv.org/ellie-family-services.
Read about an SOTV member’s experience working with Ellie: sotv.org/an-honest-perspective-on-mental-and-emotional-health.
Myth
“As a Christian, I shouldn’t need therapy.”
Truth
We all need a little help sometimes, and going to therapy or living with mental illness is not a sign of moral failing, weakness, or lack of faith. God cares about our total wellness, which includes our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual selves. Therapy can be a helpful tool for tending to our wellness.
Myth
“Therapists are going to make me talk about my feelings.”
Truth
Therapy is designed to provide people with an opportunity to share their stress, feelings, and whatever else that’s on their mind with a “professional secret keeper.” Sometimes we talk feelings, sometimes we talk about other people bothering you, sometimes we just talk sports. The human connection is half of what makes therapy so effective for people, not necessarily what we talk about.
Myth
“Therapy is only for crazy people!”
Truth
Therapy is a service that can help anyone. Most clients who come to therapy are the average everyday person; moms, dads, siblings, managers, sales associates, doctors, bus drivers, professional bird watchers, you know, just regular people. We can all use a little help every now and then.
Myth
“Therapists are going to push me to take medications.”
Truth
Therapy is considered a behavioral intervention not a systemic (medical) intervention. Psychiatrists are the doctors who do prescribe mental health meds. If a therapist thinks that a client might benefit from some medication support, they may make a referral, but much of the time, a little therapy does the trick!
Myth
“My Medical Health is More Important.”
Truth
Current research is showing a huge overlap between our physical and mental health. Poor physical health is directly linked to poor mental health and vice versa. Many up-and-coming medical models incorporate psychotherapy. This allows the doctors who treat medical patients to have a well-rounded understanding of the day to day impact and patterns of behavior that might get missed in a routine exam. Therapy is the most effective tool for supporting positive behavioral changes in addressing physical health (mentalhealth.org, 2019).
Additional Info:
Find more information at sotv.org/ellie-family-services.
To contact a pastor for other resources and referrals, email sotvpastors@sotv.org.
