Michael Swanhart, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
I am committed to providing quality, compassionate counseling services to help you meet your goals & enhance your well-being.
In addition to help with issues such as stress, interpersonal problems, and family concerns, therapy can also be beneficial when we are dealing with problems such as depression, anxiety, and post traumatic stress that are considered forms of mental disorders when they are serious enough.
Mental Disorders in America
Mental disorders are common in the United States and internationally. An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older — about one in four adults — suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. When applied to the 2004 U.S. Census residential population estimate for ages 18 and older, this figure translates to 57.7 million people. Even though mental disorders are widespread in the population, the main burden of illness is concentrated in a much smaller proportion — about 6 percent, or 1 in 17 — who suffer from a serious mental illness. In addition, mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the U.S. and Canada for ages 15-44. Many people suffer from more than one mental disorder at a given time. Nearly half (45 percent) of those with any mental disorder meet criteria for 2 or more disorders, with severity strongly related to comorbidity.
In the U.S., mental disorders are diagnosed based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV).
National Institute of
Mental Health (NIMH) Publication No. 06-4584.
Many who attend therapy do so because they are experiencing distressing patterns in their emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and/or relationships. These patterns can contribute to a feeling of being "stuck" and unable to change.
Life also has a way of throwing curve balls at us. Some find it helpful to speak to a therapist when adapting to a significant loss, change, or new opportunity in their life. When we're entering a new phase of our lives or are unable to adequately adjust to a loss we've experienced, therapy can help!
Seeking assistance from a therapist does not mean that one is weak or flawed. It means they are ready to take charge of their life and improve the quality of it.
