Have you ever found yourself struggling to complete tasks on the farm, coping with grief/loss/illness, managing anxiety around unpredictable weather events, or even maintaining relationships with family members? You may, at times, have tried managing these struggles
by yourself, and that can be extremely exhausting. If you feel like you need a boost in your overall well-being and mental health, then psychotherapy may be a great option for you. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is a method of helping people with mental illness and emotional challenges (psychiatry.org, 2022). With some time, psychotherapy can help people eliminate or control troubling thoughts/feelings/behaviors so that they can function better and manage the stressors that life brings.

Research shows that about 75% of people who enter psychotherapy see benefits and an increase in their overall well-being and mental health (apa.org, 2022). Going to therapy can be a huge leap and involves a lot of courage, but the benefits are so worth it.

While most therapy can come in the forms of individual sessions, couple and family therapy is also an option. If you are having relationship difficulties with your partner, experiencing stress when trying to parent your children, or just want an overall healthier family, these options may be the best for you. In couple and family therapy, you may be in the room with your partner and the therapist, or even your family and the therapist. Your therapeutic journey can be unique to
you has the potential to be curated towards your needs.

What to expect from therapy?

Prior to entering the therapy space, you will most likely complete an intake which oftentimes involves demographic information as well as questions around your mental health. Once you complete an intake, you will set up your first appointment. After gaining the courage to enter the therapy space for your first session, the work begins. In the first session, the therapist will get to know you, and you will get to know your therapist. You will have the opportunity to share your life story, as well as the current challenges you are faced with in your life. If things are not working in the therapy space, or if you are not comfortable talking about certain topics, feel free to let your therapist know. They are there to help you and want you to be as comfortable as possible.

Steps to set up your first appointment

1. Go to https://go.umd.edu/farmtherapy to complete an intake for 6 free therapy
   sessions. This intake is a google form that asks you for demographic questions, as well
   as questions about your mental health. Make sure to list on the end some dates and
   times you are available to talk with someone on our team to set up your first
   appointment. All of your information on the intake will remain confidential and will
   be deleted once you are paired with a therapist. If you have any questions regarding
   your intake, feel free to email mdfrsan@umd.edu.
   
2. Once you have completed the intake, one of our team members will contact you on a
   date and time you had listed, and verify the information listed on your intake.
   Depending on your session preference (virtual or in-person), our team will pair you
   with a therapy clinic closest to you.
   
3. Once you are paired with a therapy clinic, our team will reach out to them, and with
   your consent, will give them your information so they can contact you.
   
4. Once in contact with the therapy clinic, they will assist you in setting up your first
   appointment, and the appointment will most likely happen on a weekly basis. After
   the 6 free sessions are up, you may continue sessions but at a price set by the provider
   and your insurance if you are insured. The provider will assist you in this process so
   therapy will not become a financial burden.

This blog submitted by Nick Warnick, FCS intern.