Stage 6 · Lesson 4 of 7
Choosing someone good
Not everyone offering mental health help is qualified. Check training and registration: a psychiatrist should be a registered medical doctor with a specialisation in psychiatry, and a clinical psychologist should have a postgraduate degree in clinical psychology.
In India, clinical psychologists are registered with the Rehabilitation Council of India. Ask what approach they use and whether it has evidence behind it, such as CBT. Good signs: they explain confidentiality, listen more than they lecture, agree goals with you and check whether things are improving.
Warning signs: promises of a quick cure, pressure to buy expensive packages, telling you to stop medication a doctor prescribed, or anything that makes you feel unsafe. It is normal to try someone else if the fit is wrong.
Common trapstaying with someone who is not helping because you feel you owe them.
A question to check yourself and an AI practice session come when you add the roadmap to your account. Add it
Resources for this stage
Start with
- GuideFreeMind: mental health information and support
Mind
What different talking therapies involve and what to expect from them
Practise
Keep handy
Also worth your time
Struggling right now? If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact local emergency services or a crisis line: Find a helpline (any country), Umang (Pakistan), Tele-MANAS, 14416 (India).