Comments on: More Access to Mental Health Services

By: Dr. G

Dr. G — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 14:23:28 +0000

Touche’. You’re right about this. In fact, I am a psychologist who does not take any medical insurance. I am strictly fee for service. That means that I am paid directly through the agency, in my area there are a number of funding streams they use. I’ve been paid by something callled Flex Funds, Crime Victims Compensation Funds, and money from the Safe and Stable Families Block Grants. I never turn away clients for inability to pay though. I’ve taken cases for as little as $5.00/hour. And yes, I’ve seen my fair share of kids and families for free. I didn’t get on the insurance treadmill for the very reason you mentioned. You become overwhelmed with cases that you simply can not devote the amount of time to that is needed to make any substantive change. In some instances the insurance companies end up hijacking the treatment plan because of what they will and will not pay for. I decided to avoid all of that. So I recant my rant against my colleagues. But, there are a few bad apples in any barrel.

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 12:09:43 +0000

Dr. G,
The problem isn’t so much that there aren’t good therapists out there, but that the good ones are not covered by the children’s insurance, and the local guidance clinic will not give referrals (which would be covered). So, the therapists that the kids see are just like the caseworkers, overwhelmed and burnt out.

By: Dr. G

Dr. G — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 23:36:35 +0000

I hate to sound like a traitor to my own community, but, sometimes I feel like the phrase quality mental health services is an oxymoron. Why is it so impossible to find a therapist, a counselor, a psychologist, a social worker, a psychiatrist who knows what the (heck) they are doing and who develops a solid conceptually sound treatment plan and (gasp!) actually knows how to implement the (darned) thing. Clearly, this is one of my pet peeves. I’m old but, I’m not a dinosaur, and I just wonder what on earth they are teaching people is graduate school these days. Seems that nobody knows theory anymore, and I can’t tell you the last time I’ve seen a graduate who knew how to take a real case and conceptualize it in a way that makes sense. Oh. Great, I’m sure I’ve just offended the majority of mental health professionals out there. But, that just feels like my experience. I really admire your efforts and what you’re aiming for in this regard. Good luck!