Choosing the Right Mental Health Professional

Finding a mental health professional can be stressful, especially when you're in need of help quickly. However, it’s important to take the time to find someone who is the right fit for you. Below are key approaches and questions to consider when selecting a professional:

• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

  
  

  CPT helps individuals exposed to psychological trauma by teaching them how to challenge and modify distressing thoughts, such as self-blame, to promote healing and growth.

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

  
  

  EMDR focuses on processing emotions and symptoms related to traumatic events. This therapy involves rhythmic side-to-side eye movements while recalling the event, which can reduce the intensity of emotionally charged memories.

Before booking an appointment, consider asking the following questions to ensure the therapist is a good match for your needs:

1. Is the mental health professional registered and licensed?

2. Are they available for appointments within your preferred timeframe? (Specify your availability, such as evenings, weekends, or how soon you need to be seen).

3. What do they recommend you do to prepare for your first session?

4. Have they worked with public safety personnel before? Can they share their experience in helping people like you?

Finding the right therapist may take some time, and it’s okay if it takes one or two attempts to find the right fit. These questions can serve as a helpful starting point for your search.

Explore Your Treatment Options

There are various ways to treat Operational Stress Injury (OSI), and your mental health professional may specialize in one or more of these approaches. Below are four common methods, though other treatments may also be effective for you:

1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

   
   

   CBT is a practical, goal-oriented approach that helps you identify, challenge, and change problematic thought patterns and behaviors.

2. Exposure Therapy

   
   

   Exposure therapy helps individuals confront fears or distressing situations in a safe environment. By facing the things that cause fear or discomfort, individuals can reduce their avoidance and overcome anxiety.

3. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

   
   

   CPT is designed for those who have experienced psychologically traumatic events. It helps individuals challenge and modify related thoughts, such as self-blame, to facilitate healing and emotional growth.

4. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

   
   

   EMDR focuses on reducing the emotional intensity of traumatic memories. The treatment involves making side-to-side eye movements, similar to watching a pendulum, while recalling the event, which can help lessen distressing emotions.

   
   

Your treatment plan should be tailored to your needs, and your mental health professional can guide you toward the most suitable approach

Understand the Terminology

When searching for a mental health professional, you may come across unfamiliar terms.

One of the key terms to remember is Operational Stress Injury (OSI). OSI’s refer to mental health conditions or disorders that arise from operational (or Occupational) stress experienced in the workplace. While these stressors often involve exposure to potentially traumatic events, Public Safety Personnel (PSP) may also face other occupational stressors, such as shift work, overtime, and the pressure to maintain a "higher image" in public.