BDN interviews UMaine counselors about finding mental health services
The Bangor Daily News interviewed Kathrine Butler Hepler, psychologist at the University of Maine Counseling Center, and Jessica Browne, staff clinician and co-coordinator of outreach and prevention at the center, about how to find mental health support during the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to find a therapist, Hepler recommended using Psychology Today’s online “Find a Therapist” search engine or asking a primary care physician to recommend one. “Come in for a session or two [and] dance in and out of it as you need,” Browne said. “This is not a one year commitment, and you don’t have to tell me about your mother either if that’s not what you want to talk about.” Both UMaine counselors also recommended alternatives to in-person therapy sessions, such as employee assistance programs or talking with priests, ministers or pastors when dealing with issues involving faith.