Pain and discomfort are a part of life, but finding ways to manage and alleviate them is essential for maintaining physical, emotional, and mental health. Traditional medical treatments are often effective, but some people turn to complementary and alternative therapies to supplement their care. One such therapy is Reiki, a Japanese healing practice that involves a practitioner placing their hands on or near the body to promote relaxation, balance, and healing. What is Reiki? Reiki is a holistic healing practice rooted in ancient Eastern beliefs about energy flow in living beings. Its name derives from the Japanese words "rei" and "ki", which translate to "universal" and "vital life force energy", respectively. Some practitioners compare it to acupuncture without needles. At the core of Reiki is the concept of energy fields that support our health and well-being. Practitioners use their hands to sense and treat energy blocks that can impede the natural flow of energy in the body. They believe that these blocks not only cause physical ailments but can also manifest as negative life circumstances like financial struggles or relationship problems. Read More: Happiness Hormone: Ways to Boost Dopamine Reiki is not limited to humans; some practitioners also work on animals and plants. By focusing on moving energy for the greater good of the client, Reiki aims to improve physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. As a complementary health approach, it is often used in conjunction with traditional medical treatments. How does Reiki Work? Reiki is based on the belief that all living beings have a vital life force energy that flows through them, known as "ki" or "qi". When this energy is blocked or out of balance, it can manifest as physical, emotional, or spiritual issues. Reiki practitioners aim to restore balance and promote healing by working with this energy. During a Reiki session, the client lies down fully clothed while the practitioner places their hands on or near different areas of the body. The practitioner uses their hands to sense the client's energy flow and move any blocks or imbalances. This is done through a series of hand placements and can include techniques such as light touch, tapping, or visualization. Read More: Workplace stress affecting women in Bangladesh needs attention

Oregon was taking a major step Friday in its pioneering of legalized psilocybin therapy with the graduation of the first students trained in accompanying patients tripping on psychedelic mushrooms, although a company’s bankruptcy has left another group on the same path adrift. The graduation ceremony for 35 students was being held Friday evening by InnerTrek, a Portland firm, at a woodsy retreat center. About 70 more will graduate on Saturday and Sunday in ceremonies in which they will pledge to do no harm. “Facilitator training is at the heart of the nation’s first statewide psilocybin therapy and wellness program and is core to the success of the Oregon model we’re pioneering here," said Tom Eckert, program director at InnerTrek and architect of the 2020 ballot measure that legalized Oregon’s program. The students must pass a final exam to receive InnerTrek certificates. They then take a test administered by the Oregon Health Authority to receive their facilitator licenses. “The graduation of the first cohort of students from approved psilocybin facilitator training programs is a significant milestone for Oregon,” said Angie Allbee, manager of the state health authority’s psilocybin services section. “We congratulate Oregon’s future facilitators and the training programs they are graduating from on this incredible and historic moment in psilocybin history.” The health authority reported Friday that so far it has received 191 license and worker permit applications, including licenses for manufacturers of psilocybin and service centers where the psychedelic substance would be consumed and experienced. Allbee said she expects students will soon submit applications for licenses, “which will move us closer to service center doors opening in 2023.” Some classes in InnerTrek's six-month, $7,900 course were held online, but others were in-person, held in a building near Portland resembling a mountain lodge. The students were told that a dosing session at a licensed center should include a couch or mats for clients to sit or lie on, an eye mask, comfort items like a blanket and stuffed animals, a sketch pad, pencils and a bucket for vomiting. A session typically lasts at least six hours, often with music. Trainers emphasized that the facilitators' clients should be given the freedom to explore whatever emotions emerge during their inner journeys. “We’re not guiding,” trainer Gina Gratza told the students in a December training session. “Let your participants’ experiences unfold. Use words sparingly. Let participants come to their own insights and conclusions.” Researchers believe psilocybin changes the way the brain organizes itself, permitting users to adopt new attitudes more easily and help overcome depression, PTSD, alcoholism and other issues. Eckert said the graduating students will be prepared to help clients see the benefits of psilocybin. “I feel like it’s a big moment for our culture and country as we collectively begin to reexamine and reevaluate the nature of mental health and wellness, while bringing real healing to those in need,” he said. Another facilitator training effort in southern Oregon has left students upset and a lawyer in the Netherlands trying to figure out what happened. Synthesis Institute — a company based in the Netherlands that has over 200 students in Oregon, according to an article in Psychedelic Alpha — was declared bankrupt Tuesday, Dutch court documents showed. The company's website, which as of Friday had not been taken down, shows tuition being $12,997. The students are trying to get refunds. “Synthesis really just has ripped the rug out from under us, for a lot of people,” one of the students, Cori Sue Morris, told Psychedelic Alpha. Roos Suurmond, a lawyer in Amsterdam specializing in insolvency law, confirmed she has been appointed as a trustee to deal with the bankruptcy. She said in an interview she could not yet answer questions on the bankruptcy as she had so recently been appointed and still must investigate. By February, the company’s liabilities totaled around $850,000, and it could not afford to pay its employees in the U.S. and the Netherlands, Psychedelic Alpha reported. A real estate purchase in southern Oregon did not help matters. An Oregon limited liability company, Oregon Retreat Centers LLC, was formed by Synthesis co-founder Myles Katz, Psychedelic Alpha reported. It purchased a 124-acre rustic retreat near Ashland, Oregon, in Jackson County for $3.6 million and planned to turn the site into a psilocybin service center, but a zoning problem developed. While Oregon voters approved the measure on psilocybin in 2020, it did not make the drug legal until Jan. 1, 2023. The psilocybin sessions are expected to be available to the public in mid- or late-2023. In November, Colorado voters also passed a ballot measure allowing regulated use of “magic mushrooms” starting in 2024.

Following a successful six-month probationary period, a mental health center in Chengdu, the capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, has officially welcomed two dogs to carry out psychological assistance therapy through animals. The dogs are part of the animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in the treatment process for emotionally disturbed patients carried out by the Fourth People's Hospital of Chengdu. This marks the first time that AAT has been implemented in southwest China, and highlights the hospital's innovative approach to mental health treatment. According to Chen Jiajia, who works with the hospital, the two dogs, "Lidabao" and "Xuegao," were previously employed in nursing homes for seniors and orphanages before joining the hospital. The dogs used in the treatment have been carefully selected from among family pets that have undergone specialized training to develop strong bonds with humans. Given that they reside with their owners, the therapy dogs are expected to introduce a welcoming and serene ambiance to the treatment process and the dog owners are also allowed on the site. Having passed rigorous evaluations, both dogs were granted official working certificates and currently provide treatment twice a week. "AAT has proven to be a successful method for treating depression and autism, and has been extensively employed in treatment programs overseas, aiding in the recovery of patients," Chen said. Chen went on to share that earlier in January, a severely depressed boy, who didn't talk to anyone and even left a death note, took part in the trial treatment. During their initial encounter, the dog seemed to sense his depression as it instinctively nestled into his arms. The boy who never showed his emotions couldn't hide his surprise, and later shared his story about himself and his pet, Chen explained. The profound experience with the dog had a transformative effect on the boy's emotional state, leading him to open up to the psychologists and engage wholeheartedly in his treatment. As a result, he made remarkable progress and was eventually discharged from the hospital with a newfound sense of hope and optimism. According to Chen, the interaction between patients and dogs can be instrumental in helping patients open up emotionally, and this process is further facilitated by the participation of psychologists who provide timely counseling and treatment. During treatment, psychologists will give careful attention to what the patient is saying in order to identify any topics of interest. By establishing a genuine and trusting relationship with each patient, the psychologists can eventually create a supportive environment that is conducive to follow-up psychotherapy. The hospital said treatment frequency will be adjusted according to each patient's needs and response to therapy, with the goal of providing more effective care for a greater number of patients

The fundamental duty of a social therapist is to analyse patterns of human interaction in order to come up with workable answers to issues that crop up in everyday life. In simple words, it is the job of social counsellors to investigate how people and groups interact with one another, how they affect one another, and how they view one another. Social therapists often find employment in corporate or educational environments, where they mediate conflicts and provide advisory services. Stay with us to know the career path of becoming a social counsellor or therapist. Necessary Skills to Be a Social Counsellor People who are going through challenges or life-changing events, such as the loss of a family member, or patients whose chronic diseases interfere with their general quality of life may benefit from the services provided by psychologists.  Therefore, it is essential to display a variety of talents relevant to the subject of social therapy if one wants to be successful in the profession of social therapy. The following are examples of some of these skills: Effective communication  For social therapists to be successful, they need to have strong communication skills in order to comprehend their patients and communicate effectively with them as well as their families. Read Should You See a Therapist? 8 Surefire Signs You Need Help Observation and documentation  The exceptional ability to observe and documentation is necessary on the following matters - ability to identify patterns in clients, such as body language of people, especially the client’s body language - ability to watch interactions among clients and others - ability to record interactions throughout sessions, are all necessary skills for social therapists. Capability for analysis  Social therapists need strong analytical abilities in order to collect the information obtained during sessions. Moreover, the counsellor should have the ability to assess what conclusions can be reached from the research that has been undertaken and the feedback that has been received from clients. Read Discomfort Anxiety v Depression: Differences, Ways of Prevention Relationship-building abilities  Social therapists are able to deal with a wide variety of clients, patients, family members, and other health professionals because of their relationships and people abilities. Steps to become a Therapist or Social Counsellor  The central emphasis of all psychologists is on the brain, behaviour, and the connections that exist between the three. Those who decide to major in psychology have a wide variety of career options to select from including social counselling or therapist. These are the steps to develop a career as a social counsellor or therapist. Education Education for social therapists starts with a four-year bachelor's degree program. In addition to basic courses, psychology, sociology, counselling, and other comparable electives are emphasised. Highly suggested is a bachelor's degree in psychology or counselling. The individual must enrol in a master's degree program in order to receive a master's degree in counselling. Many places of employment recognize both a master's degree in social work and a social work licence for social therapists. Read Suicide Prevention: How to Deal with Suicidal Thoughts? Child development, the process of ageing, social behaviour, and cognitive psychology are some of the areas in which the students with psychology-majors could choose to specialise. Employment opportunities are available for them at educational institutions such as colleges and universities, as well as research institutes, government agencies, and non-governmental organisations. Post Graduate Training Because the prerequisites for clinical experience might differ from state to state, it is essential to familiarise oneself with the regulations of the state in which one wishes to engage in professional practice and to adhere to those regulations. According to the American Counseling Association, however, you will normally be needed to complete around 3,000 hours of supervised counselling experience before you can become a licensed professional counsellor. After completing a program leading to a master's degree and prior to obtaining a licence to practise as a therapist, you may use this external link. Read How to Overcome Depression Without Medication? Take a Licensure Exam In order to get a licence to practise therapy in any country or state, applicants must first demonstrate that they have the knowledge and skills necessary by passing a thorough test. The process of exam and certification may vary from country to country. In the United States, there are several of these examinations, but the one that is taken the most often is the National Counselor Examination, which is carried out by the National Board for Certified Counsellors (NBCC). On the website of the NBCC, you will discover a directory of state boards that contains appropriate contact information, available licences, needed tests that vary from state to state, and information on how to register for exams and when they will be given. Apply for the Government Sector or Open a Private Firm Government sectors often call for experienced social counsellors for different posts. Just keep an eye on the regular job circulars. Apply for the post which matches your expertise and education. In Bangladesh, you might have to have 3 to 7 years of experience to get a Govt. role. Another good option is to open your own private firm. Read Protecting Your Child’s Mental Health: 10 Tips for Parents Bottom Line With the advancement of technology the pace of our life has increased. Now people have no or less time for sharing problems with others. Due to stress in career, family and business, many people are falling into chronic depression. As a result, the necessity of social counselling or therapy is increasing day by day. So far, we have discussed how to start a career as a social counsellor or therapist. However, the steps of certification may vary depending upon countries, states and regions. Hope it helps! 

Mental health is a sophisticated issue that doesn’t get talked about as often as other, more visible health issues. However, it still affects a person and the consequences can be far more aggravating. Mental health issues may arise from several underlying factors. Whether it’s the inability to cope with something, stress, or even PTSD, the signs are almost always there. Yet it's often dismissed as something that will heal over time. But the fact of the matter is, time doesn’t heal, therapy does. Let’s discuss when to see a therapist. 8 Sure Signs You Need To See a Therapist  Getting overwhelmed the Surrounding Do you often get overwhelmed by your surroundings? If yes, this is one of the earliest signs of declining mental health. The sense of overwhelming stress arises from stress. Say you are a student or a professional. The exam or the workplace activities might feel increasingly overwhelming. A crippling fear of consequences sets and you feel the constant urge to run away from everything. The sense of detachment is created from the extreme stress or less than your brain is coping with. This specific problem not only has a short-term consequence but also tends to reduce cognitive emotions in the long run. Therapy can help overcome the stress or trauma by the means of dealing with a single issue at a time. Read: How to Stay Physically Active during Pregnancy Disrupted sleep cycle A disrupted sleep cycle can also prompt mental health issues. Too much sleep or lack of it is a clear sign that the body and the mind aren’t in sync. A study conducted in 2018 shows that sleeplessness or oversleeping tendencies induce mood swings and depression among the participants. A continuous sleepless habit may be a sign of anxiety, ADHD, or even bipolar disorder which might lead to other complications. Many people opt for sleeping pills as a cure. But that isn’t the right approach. A proper therapy will help to identify the underlying cause behind the sleeplessness and work to find a solution without medical interventions. Read Discomfort Anxiety v Depression: Differences, Ways of Prevention Reduced social interactions Do you feel like shutting yourself out from everyone? One of the clear signs of mental health problems is the tendency to shy away from social interaction, friends,p and even relationships. If you feel like distancing yourself from stuff, chances are you are going through the mental issue of social isolation. And like a lot of other symptoms, it also poses a serious threat in the long run, not just mentally, but physically too. Social isolation mainly crops from anxiety and depression. But instead of curing any of the issues, social isolation only aggravates the problem. Therapy can help in the process of social reintegration. Perpetual anxiety The thing about anxiety attacks is that you can tell when it's happening. But the worst part is, that you cannot control when it happens or why it happens. People suffering from anxiety can get triggered by anything. Read: Eating Disorders in Children, Adolescents, Adults: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Ways to Help The lack of control over the situation is why it's important to get therapy. As the situation with anxiety aggravates, you will see that you are consumed more and more with bad thoughts with seemingly no way out. This is when you know that you must seek therapy. Therapy will steadily divert your mind from negative thoughts and usher new and positive horizons. Careless attitude This is one of the most prominent symptoms of clinical depression. As human beings, we are driven by a higher purpose in life. There is constant social pressure and even personal goals to achieve or do something with this life. This notion of achievement may often become stringent on many. The social and family pressure may often become unbearable leading to clinical depression. An aggravated form of depression may also lead to self-harm. Read: Dyslexia: How to help kids with this learning disability The best way to identify the issue is by looking at the pattern of behavior. If you yourself find to be disinterested in everyday things. Trying to run away from responsibilities and an overall sense of detachment is also a sign of clinical depression. Taking regular counsel and therapy is useful against clinical depression in different studies. Feeling of hopeless Feeling hopeless is also a sign of clinical depression. Except it leads to a far more severe consequence compared to a careless attitude. The sense of hopelessness is an advanced form of clinical depression. Here a person loses interest in everything and finds themselves feeling hollow from within. Many a time, the sense of hopelessness leads to self-harm and even suicidal tendencies. Read Suicide Prevention: How to Deal with Suicidal Thoughts? Problem concentrating If you think you’re having trouble concentrating on something, chances are you might be showing early signs of mental health problems. It’s not uncommon to feel inattentive for a day or two at work. But when it lasts for days or weeks at a stretch, it’s a sign that something is off. The lack of concentration not only hurts the professional life but also takes a toll on the personal and social life. It all encircles on the similar problem of feeling reclusive and disjointed over and over again. Irregular eating habit This is also an early indicator of clinical depression. Irregular eating habits advance to become an eating disorder in the long run. Read How to Overcome Depression Without Medication? Due to an eating disorder, a person may either gain or lose weight significantly. In addition to the health risks, it also makes a person emotionally vulnerable and people go through it as a coping mechanism. The only way out of an eating disorder is through therapy. Since the situation is conducive to a coping mechanism, the mind needs to be diverted away from the anxiety as a possible cure. Final Words Therefore, in our regular life, mental health issues and clinical depressions should not be overlooked. It makes a person emotionally and socially vulnerable. The inability to address or share the problem only advances the symptoms. That in turn pushes a person more towards self-harm and reclusive behavior. So far, we have discussed 8 sure-fire signs that you or your loved one should seek therapy immediately. Read Protecting Your Child’s Mental Health: 10 Tips for Parents Numerous studies have concluded that psychotherapy is a proven way to address physical and mental ailments since most mental issues tend to reflect on physical well-being as well. That said, do not sit on the symptoms. Get help for your own sake and the sake of your loved ones.