The Truth About BetterHelp, Life Coaches, & Positive Affirmations | Dr. Ali Mattu
Sep 12, 2023
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Dr. Ali Mattu, a psychotherapy expert from Columbia University, joins the podcast to discuss topics such as challenges of medical content on social media, risks of identity and perception, the distinction between DOs and MDs in the medical field, behaviorism vs. cognitive therapy, importance of teaching mental health in schools, affirmations, frontal lobe damage and its impact on social problems, psychopathy and responsibility, scalability and caution in healthcare, importance of social support and seeking help for mental health, annoyance with astrology and personality tests, empathy and boundaries in providing medical information, psychologists and physicians as presidents, context-aware information and its relevance to mental health, and complexity of motivations and belief systems.
Access to timely and suitable mental health care is limited, leading to the rise of non-professionals like coaches, raising concerns about the quality of care.
Finding the right mental health specialist is challenging, and the decision-making process should prioritize the connection and trust between the patient and the provider.
The mental health system should involve professionals with various backgrounds and expertise to address the diverse range of mental health concerns.
Creating an effective and comprehensive mental health system requires addressing challenges in accessibility, evidence-based practices, and treatment availability.
Seeking social support and talking to trusted individuals about seeking professional help are important steps before considering therapy, and caution should be exercised when using digital counseling platforms like BetterHelp.
Deep dives
Importance of Accessible Mental Health Support
There is a growing need for accessible mental health support as many individuals face trauma, anxiety, and other challenges. The current mental health system often has long wait times and limited availability, making it difficult for individuals to get the help they need. This has led to a rise in non-professionals, such as coaches, providing mental health support. While some coaches may offer helpful guidance, the lack of regulation and expertise raises concerns about the quality of care. It is crucial to ensure that individuals can access the right professionals with the necessary training and competence for their specific needs.
Navigating the Complexity of Mental Health Treatment
Finding the right mental health specialist can be challenging due to various factors, including limitations in the system. Primary care doctors often play a vital role in detecting mental health problems and initiating treatment. However, their expertise may be limited, and referrals to specialized mental health professionals may be necessary. The decision-making process should prioritize the connection and trust between the patient and the provider. While specialization can be beneficial for complex cases, a comprehensive mental health system should involve professionals with various backgrounds and expertise to address the diverse range of mental health concerns.
The Role of Coaches in Mental Health Support
The rise of coaches in the mental health field highlights the need for diverse approaches to mental health support. Coaches can offer guidance and help individuals gain insight into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. However, the lack of regulation and standardized training in coaching raises concerns about the quality of care. It is essential to ensure that individuals seeking mental health support from coaches are well-informed about the coach's expertise, experience, and the limits of their practice. Coaches should work in collaboration with mental health professionals and refer clients when necessary.
Challenges in Developing a Comprehensive Mental Health System
Creating an effective and comprehensive mental health system is a complex task that requires addressing various challenges. The current system lacks accessibility, with many individuals struggling to access timely and suitable care. Furthermore, the field faces issues with identifying evidence-based practices and ensuring practitioners have the necessary expertise. The goal should be a system that leverages technology, media, and diverse professionals to provide education, support, and access to mental health resources. This would involve effective integration of mental health into primary care, improved training and supervision for professionals, and addressing the gaps in treatment availability.
Importance of Social Support and Seeking Help
One of the first steps someone should take when feeling overwhelmed and considering therapy is to seek social support. This involves reaching out to someone they trust, such as a friend, family member, or teacher, and spending time with them in a way that feels comfortable, whether it's playing video games or having heartfelt conversations. Social support can provide a sense of relief and help individuals feel less alone. The next step is to talk to someone they trust about their thoughts on seeking professional help. This can include reaching out to a doctor, counselor, or therapist who can provide guidance on the next steps and help connect them with appropriate resources or treatment options.
Critiques of BetterHelp and Digital Counseling
While digital counseling platforms like BetterHelp may offer a convenient way to access therapy, there are some valid criticisms to consider. One concern is how therapists are treated and the pressure they face to meet productivity expectations, which can lead to burnout. Additionally, there have been reports of ethical issues, such as allowing therapists to practice in different states without proper licensing. It's important to approach these platforms with caution, ensuring that they prioritize the well-being of both therapists and clients. Seeking therapy should involve finding a provider who can offer effective personalized care, rather than relying solely on a digitized model that may not address individuals' specific needs.
Challenges of Using Astrology and Personality Typing
One aspect of mental health that can be problematic is the reliance on astrology and personality typing. While astrology may hold cultural and personal significance for some, it can oversimplify mental health and limit individuals' understanding of themselves. Similarly, relying heavily on personality typing, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, may not be based on scientifically valid evidence and can reinforce stereotypes and self-imposed limitations. It's important to approach these practices with a critical mindset and consider the complexities of individual experiences rather than relying solely on broad generalizations.
Approaching Conversations about Mental Health Beliefs
When engaging in conversations with individuals who hold beliefs or opinions about mental health that you may disagree with, it's essential to foster understanding rather than correcting or invalidating their perspectives. Seek to understand the basis of their beliefs and why it may be important to them. Empathy and active listening can create opportunities for building a stronger connection, allowing for open discussions and sharing different perspectives. By maintaining a respectful and curious approach, it's possible to engage in meaningful conversations that promote understanding and help challenge and expand both your own and the other person's perspectives.
The Importance of Mental Health and Avoiding Harmful Advice
In this podcast episode, Dr. Mike and his guest, Dr. Ali Mattu, discuss the importance of mental health and the potential harm that can arise from giving uninformed advice. They emphasize that mental health issues such as self-harm and suicidal thoughts can significantly impact a person's life and highlight the responsibility of providing accurate and safe advice. They share a personal scenario where a casual acquaintance wrongly claims that mushrooms cause yeast infections. Dr. Mike explains the dilemma of responding in this situation, highlighting the importance of avoiding misinformation and finding the right approach to correct false beliefs. They discuss the challenge of engaging with people who hold extreme or fringe beliefs, emphasizing the role of maintaining a caring and non-dismissive attitude to help them feel supported. The conversation also touches on the fear of being canceled and the changing dynamics of public opinion. Dr. Mike expresses optimism about the progress in mental health discussions and the potential for finding innovative and accessible solutions.
The Challenges of Analyzing Others and the Need for Ethical Media Engagement
Dr. Mike and Dr. Ali delve into the challenges psychologists face in social situations due to the misconception that they are constantly analyzing others. They discuss the discomfort people may feel when meeting a psychologist and the importance of understanding that psychologists do not analyze individuals without consent or proper context. They also explore the issue of well-respected mental health professionals making claims and signing documents outside of their expertise, highlighting the lack of media training in their field. Dr. Mike emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to gather talking points, understand the topic, and know their limits when engaging with the media. They touch on the fear of rejection and the anxiety that arises from being canceled, pointing out the consequential impact it can have on a person's life. Despite these challenges, they express hope in the positive changes happening in mental health discourse and the potential for continued progress.
Rebooting psychotherapy: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26162113/
Mental health for all by involving all: https://youtu.be/yzm4gpAKrBk?si=cTioab_Bzcj9YzL7
81 words episode of This American Life: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/204/81-words
BetterHelp: https://www.thecut.com/article/mental-health-therapy-apps.html
Kaiser mental health strike: https://www.kqed.org/news/11929713/kaiser-mental-health-workers-appove-new-contract-ending-10-week-strike
Myers Briggs: https://youtu.be/Q5pggDCnt5M?si=z0vxswUuD-Enc9ga
Follow Dr. Ali Mattu, clinical psychologist from Columbia University and YouTuber, here:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClIZqOLqUCro7bKztUjYCNA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alimattu/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AliMattu
00:00 Intro
01:09 Social Media Doctors
07:16 When To Start Talking About Therapy
11:30 Triggering Language
22:57 Medical Turf Wars
49:00 Thought's Don't Matter
56:19 Life Coaches / School Curriculums
1:14:24 Affirmations / Manifestations / Ice Baths
1:26:20 Punishment
1:38:00 BetterHelp
1:58:14 Hacks / Meyers-Briggs / Astrology
2:10:35 The Quesadilla Story
2:25:35 Doctors As President / Pokemon Go
2:33:44 Perks Of Being A Psychologist
Host and Executive Producer: Doctor Mike
Produced by Dan Owens and Sam Bowers
Art by Caroline Weigum
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