Mental health is a crucial component for wellness. While it’s estimated that more than 1 in 5 adults meet criteria for a major mental health disorder, many of us are experiencing increased anxiety that does not meet full criteria but interferes with our lives. Despite high rates of emotional distress, only about 14% of U.S. adults received mental health services over the past year. 

As a psychologist, I strongly believe in the effectiveness of mental health services. However, while psychotherapy works, the most important part of treatment happens after you leave the therapist's office.

Therapy and mental health wellness work best when they are treated as a daily routine, not a weekly appointment. I often tell the trauma survivors that I work with that trauma takes away people’s power; it changes the way we see ourselves, others, and the world. I encourage people to take back their power by becoming lifelong learners and practicing a broad range of safe coping strategies. Approaching life with an openness and willingness to learn is essential. Seeking out and practicing effective coping skills is empowering.

I reached out to Steve Martino, a professor at Yale who conducts research on Motivational Interviewing, an evidence-based approach to enhance individuals’ motivation for change. “Staying committed to daily therapeutic practices in between therapy sessions can be challenging,” he told me. “Revisiting our reasons for change, setting simple achievable daily goals and plans to........

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