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Those of us in the people helping mental health field were thrilled to read the following in a recent issue of Psychology Today. The magazine concluded that mental health care including professional psychotherapy and prescription medications is increasingly widespread and widely accepted!

It went on to say that more than1 in 4 adults, or more accurately 27%, of the United States adult population has received mental health services over the last two years. Unfortunately, children were not included in this survey but we might speculate that if adults (parents) are finding greater value in mental health care, children are also benefiting from the services as well.

The people who received treatment, according to Psychology Today, were overwhelmingly satisfied with the results! Of those adults surveyed 85% were satisfied with their treatment and more than 50% were very to extremely satisfied. Those who are most satisfied with treatment results received long-term therapy (one year or longer) as opposed to brief treatment experiences.

Though the numbers receiving treatment in the form of medication still exceed the number receiving psychotherapy, over 53% of those with a treatment history have participated in psychotherapy. Further most psychiatrists who provide medication have historically encouraged patients to seek psychotherapy services.

Psychotherapy has a long history of helping people cope better with daily life experiences, successfully work through crises and traumas, and renew joy in living that NOVO feels so strongly about that it’s actually part of our name.

I believe that when we heal the mental hurts people are living with, we enable them to live more fully. People who participate in long-term psychotherapy have been known to experience less physical illness, miss less days of work, experience greater self fulfillment and success in their relationship, and find more healthy solutions to their issues and problems to name just a few positive outcomes.