Viking Saga: What misconceptions do people commonly have about counselors?
Heidi Veltheim: I think for the helping professions in general, people often don’t think of us as ‘normal’ people just like them. Also, therapy can be fun, it can be short term, you don’t always have to talk about your childhood issues, and it’s ok to come to therapy before things go completely off the rails.
VS: How can students tell the difference between normal stress and a mental health issue?
HV: This is an amazing question I wish more people would ask. I think this is where having people around you who can tell you the truth and be grounded in reality is helpful. Understanding and normalizing the ups and downs of life and how feeling sad does not necessarily equal being depressed. If a person is really questioning though, I think having a conversation or consultation with a mental health professional could be helpful as well.
VS: What are some healthy ways students can cope with academic pressure?
HV: Move your body, get sleep, take breaks, use resources such as friends and trusted adults, or talk to someone at school about the pressure.
VS: How does therapy help people understand themselves better?
HV: It’s easy to get bogged down in your day to day life when you’re just living it. Therapy allows for an outside perspective to encourage people to become more introspective or to guide that introspection when needed.
VS: What’s the most rewarding part of being a psychologist?
HV: Seeing people make progress, seeing people overcome adversities in their lives, and knowing that I have had some small part in that.
VS: How important is sleep to mental health, especially for teenagers?
HV: “Sleep is a crucial part of life and often over looked. Resting is just as important, if not more, than being active with your body and mind.”
