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Survey Says: Fewer Americans Using Mental Health
Professionals to Manage Stress
Talk Therapy Is Proven Treatment for Stress;
Find a Licensed California Marriage and Family Therapist at TherapistFinder.com.
(San Diego –November 9, 2009) – Results
of a recent survey reveal that, despite an increase in stress, fewer Americans
use therapy as a way to manage it.
The results of the annual “Stress in America”
survey by the American Psychological Association, released last week,
found that while 85 percent of Americans say their stress level has remained
the same or increased in the past year, just 4 percent of people use therapy
as a way to combat that stress. This reflects a decrease in therapy usage
related to stress. In 2008, 7 percent of people said they saw a mental
health professional to manage their stress.
In fact, Americans are more likely to eat (28%), smoke
(14%), shop (15%) or watch TV (36%) than see a therapist as a stress management
technique.
“We need to make Americans aware that seeing a mental health professional
such as a Marriage and Family Therapist is a wise, effective way to manage
stress that’s getting in the way of daily life,” said Patsy
Pinkney-Phillips, Ph.D., president of the California Association of Marriage
and Family Therapists Board and a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
“If you’re experiencing high levels of stress, talk therapy
can help you get through it.”
Therapists are trained to help individuals manage stress-related topics
including finances, work, relationships, divorce, children and many other
issues. In 2010, federal mental health parity will take effect, providing
more comprehensive coverage for many seeking mental health treatment through
a health plan. Individuals should contact their human resources manager
or health plan administrator to see how their coverage for mental health
services is affected, and consider adding a Marriage and Family Therapist
to their total health care team.
To find a licensed California-based Marriage and Family
Therapist in your area, visit www.TherapistFinder.com, a free service
offered by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.
About CAMFT
The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
(CAMFT) is a professional organization representing the state's leading
licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. CAMFT provides TherapistFinder.com
as a resource for individuals looking for marriage and family therapists
located in California. Marriage and Family Therapists treat a comprehensive
range of issues including depression, anxiety, phobias/fears, elder and
child issues, relationship issues, post-traumatic stress and severe mental
illness. For more information, visit www.camft.org
or www.TherapistFinder.com.
Media Contact: Tricia Whittemore
Porter Novelli
Phone: (619) 687-7018 or (603) 219-6088
E-mail: tricia.whittemore@porternovelli.com
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