Answers to AMA Q&As in SubForum FAQ and posted at end of this thread

Member: Therapists are said to respond once or twice a day. How long are these messages/conversations then? The description makes it seem long drawn out and not as helpful.

Therapist Parvathy reply:

7cups is a message-based platform for psychotherapy. You are free to message your therapist anytime you want to and as often as you would like. The therapists will read your messages and respond once or twice a day from Monday to Friday. If your therapist is online, you can also engage in live chat. The number and size of the messages may vary depending on the conversation. The platform is a safe space to discuss what is going on in your mind. The messages will be completely confidential. For more info and bio on Parvathy click here.

Member: What is the best remedy for anxiety?

Therapist Parvathy reply:

Understanding your anxiety- the cause, triggers, and your current coping styles would be the first step to manage your anxiety. Keeping fit physically by exercising as well as maintaining a healthy diet and sleep schedule is important. To gain better control over your thoughts and emotions, you can try practicing mindfulness and meditation. Symptoms of anxiety can be relieved by various anxiety management techniques including breathing exercises and muscle relaxation. Psychotherapy can help address the root cause of the anxiety and help with self-esteem and confidence. A therapist will also be able to equip you with various coping strategies. For more info and bio on Parvathy click here.

Member: How do I overcome and address emotional abuse from my parents?

Therapist Parvathy reply:

It is possible to heal from the damage caused by childhood abuse. Healing would mean taking control of your life and being the author of your own choices. It is important to take your time to heal because you would have a lot of emotions to process. Being patient and kind with yourself is extremely necessary. Surround yourself with people who love and value you. Let yourself receive the love that you deserve. As an adult, you will be able to understand and process what has happened to you. However, this may involve confronting a lot of painful memories. A psychotherapist can help you to process what happened and provide you with skills to cope with the trauma. For more info and bio on Parvathy click here.

Member: i am fighting with masturbation addiction for many years but somehow i again commit this act. please help me.

Therapist Parvathy reply:

Masturbation is a very normal part of the sexual experience. I have to point out that engaging in maturation often isn't the same as maturation addiction. If you find that masturbation is leading to negative emotions or is interfering with your daily functioning, you would need to check if it is becoming a compulsive habit. If you are using masturbation as a way to cope with stressful issues instead of facing them head-on, it can be a cause of concern. It is very important to seek help from a mental health professional to process your feelings, figure out the root cause of your compulsive behavior, and find a way to stop or reduce the behavior. A psychotherapist can help you to work through your negative feelings and help you learn behaviour modification strategies to control masturbation. For more info and bio on Parvathy click here.

Member: How to overcome the fear for failure. I have heard about just jump in.. But I end up rather procrastinating.

Therapist Parvathy reply:

Exposure can be an effective technique to conquer your fears. But exposure can be very anxiety-provoking. The discomfort of anxiety is probably making you procrastinate. More the anxiety we feel about failing the reach our goals, the less likely we are to take action toward achieving them. Gradual exposure should be done under the supervision of a therapist who can help you cope with the anxiety that may develop. It could be useful to explore what failure means to you. Most of us see failure as something wrong or embarrassing. It brings emotions of shame and guilt. However, it is very human to make mistakes or fail. Failure should be thought of as an opportunity to learn. Practicing self-acceptance, understanding your strengths and knowing your limitations, and setting realistic time-based goals can help motivate you to move towards your goals. For more info and bio on Parvathy click here.

Member: Hi, I've been searching for an answer for so long but haven't been able to find any. For over six months now i have been totally unable to feel any emotions, enage in any conversations meaningfuling. I always feel exactly the same, neither happy or sad. I am on anti depressants but i feel like they are doing nothing at all. Please help me it would be challenging to live like this. Even when I am doing self caring activities, i'm still feeling nothing.

Therapist Parvathy reply:

Feeling emotionally numb is a symptom of depression. If you're not feeling any difference after taking your medicine, I suggest you visit your psychiatrist again and let them know about this concern. They may change your medicine or the dosage to suit you better. Along with medication, psychotherapy can be extremely beneficial for you. Talking about what you're going through to a mental health professional will be very helpful. Psychotherapy can help you identify stressors in your life that could be contributing to your depression. It can help you challenge negative thinking patterns which may be making you feel hopeless. Through therapy, you will be able to gain a sense of control over your life. Psychotherapy also reduces the risk of a relapse. For more info and bio on Parvathy click here.

@soulsingsi want to apply here for the job of therapist is there any price to be a therapist here