Expert spotlights importance of therapy during Mental Health Awareness Month – WAFB

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Experts are putting a spotlight on the importance of therapy during May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, more than 61 million Americans struggled with mental health in 2024. In that same year, more than 51 percent of adults in the United States received some kind of treatment.
Experts said sitting down with someone willing to listen can make a huge difference. Dr. Katie Fetzer is a licensed professional counselor with The Wellness Studio in Baton Rouge and explained that anyone can benefit from therapy.
“Overall, we want people to know that mental health is also mental wellness,” Dr. Fetzer explained. “So, it’s not just a place to go or something to do if you are experiencing an illness or what feels like something’s wrong. It’s also something that we aim for for prevention.”
The Wellness Studio is a private practice that offers counseling services for individuals, couples, and families. The practice was founded in 2012 and has since joined the Baton Rouge General network.
Dr. Fetzer said every counselor is trained to treat and diagnose any mental health conditions. However, she added that there is also help available for people who aren’t facing an immediate crisis.
“You also can come just for general mental health concerns or general stress. So, really we’re there for all of it,” Dr. Fetzer said.
Patients at The Wellness Studio will notice a unique setting when stepping into the business. Artwork fills the space as a way to break the stigma still associated with therapy and help those seeking help feel more comfortable.
According to Dr. Fetzer, different age groups often look at mental health from different perspectives. She shared advice on how that can change.
“What we really want – is we want generations to be connected – not divided. And I think that in order to do that, we really all have to have the common ground of truth and understanding and not abandoning that,” Dr. Fetzer said.
For more information about The Wellness Studio, click here.
If you or someone you know is facing a mental health crisis, you are not alone. You can get help 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 988 to speak with a mental health professional.
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