A PSYCHOLOGIST IS . . .

DOES THERAPY HELP?
AN ARTICLE REVIEW: CONSUMER REPORTS 11/95

Nearly 50 million American adults suffer from a mental or addictive disorder at any given time. However, it is likely that only one in three will seek professional help. Many people have basic doubts whether therapy will really help.

Consumer Reports in the November 1995 issue reported on a survey of 7000 subscribers about their attitudes about mental health. This is the largest survey of these attitudes ever conducted. Four thousand subscribers responded that they had sought help from a mental health provider or family doctor or a self-help group. The results are clear-cut!

• Therapy works! Nearly 90 % of the respondents said they got a lot better. Most resolved the problems that had led to seeking treatment and almost all said that life had become more manageable. Significantly, people who started out feeling the worst reported the most progress!
• Psychologists were the most frequent professional sought for help! Psychologists are trained in:

1) making accurate diagnosis of mental health problems; and

2) implementing the most effective psychotherapy to deal with the problem. A psychologist must have at least a doctorate and clinical experience as well as pass rigid examinations to achieve licensing. A psychologist does not prescribe medication and primarily relies on "talking" therapy to effect change.

• Talking therapy works! Most respondents experienced benefit from medication or psychotherapy, or both. Those who received only psychotherapy improved as much as those who got therapy plus drugs. For many people taking a psychiatric drug is not desirable for a variety of reasons, such as side effects, questions or potential of dependency. A recent study has shown that patients receiving "talk" therapy actually changed the biology of their brains! Psychotherapy does work because it changes the "software"(attitudes and perceptions) loaded in your "hardware" (brain). Many problems are like computer viruses that can shut down or incapacitate individuals when they least expect it. Psychologists are specialists in helping people think, work, play and live more healthy lives!
• Quick fixes work, but will they last? Most respondents who sought treatment for less than six months did not improve as much as those who continued longer. One way of understanding how a psychologist works is that psychologists not only treat the presenting complaint but they also train the patient in skills to keep getting better after treatment is ended. One person said: "I like my auto mechanic, but I'd like him a lot better if he would teach me what I could do on my own!" Psychologists believe in doing it right the first time and helping their clients to become more confident and self-assured, enjoying their relationships and life.
• It's your choice! Respondents who were active consumers and active clients did better than passive clients. The maxim, "You can a lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink!" certainly applies here. People who want to change and are willing to invest themselves by being vulnerable, working at psychotherapy, and attending sessions consistently do get much better. Psychologists involve their clients in diagnosis and treatment. They know that you will ask questions, experience frustration, and began to change. They will inform you about what they believe the problems to be, work with you in formulating a treatment plan, and equip you with life changing skills.

• How much is it going to cost? Most respondents whose choice of therapist or duration of care was limited by their insurance coverage did worse. You get what you pay for! Many people have been led to believe their insurance will cover treatment of all their health problems. Sadly, in the "managed care" environment, insurance companies are being cost conscious versus patient conscious. Psychologists work for their clients, not an insurance company. Psychologists formulate a treatment contract with their clients. Both parties have responsibilities in the contract that enable the success of the treatment. A part of the contract that a client can be active in and proud of is that they fulfilled the financial obligation they agreed to. Your personal investment in psychotherapy is directly related to the gain you will receive.

In summary, the Consumer Reports article,"Does Therapy Help?", confirms the positive findings of many, many smaller surveys. Most important, these were real people just like you! They found help to having a better life, and so can you. Many people who have emotional problems seek a psychologist because they are highly trained, licensed professionals. They can also be a friend and teacher.

WHO IS A PSYCHOLOGIST?

Psychologists are highly trained professionals in the area of mental health assessment, diagnosis and treatment, specifically in observing behavior, evaluating thoughts and feelings, and helping develop new patterns of behavior that enhance personal growth. Psychologists, after graduating from college, spend an average of seven years in training before receiving a doctorate. Psychologists additionally must complete a clinical internship in a hospital or organized health setting before graduation. After receiving their doctorate they must have a year of supervised training before being licensed to practice independently. Psychologists have specialty areas of expertise, such as children, families, education, neuropsychology and many others. Psychologists are licensed by states. Renewal of this license depends upon holding to the ethics of the profession, demonstration of competence and requires continuing education. Psychologists are unique in the mental health field in their training and use of psychodiagnostic instruments. The "quality" care you can be sure of is based on the psychologist's ability to accurately assess through psychological testing what your needs are and design a treatment that will remediate the problems. Our commitment is to do it right the first time, through careful assessment and wisely implemented treatment techniques

CHOOSING A PSYCHOLOGIST

Usually we are able to work through the problems ourselves, or with support of family and friends. At times however, we need the assistance of a trained professional. Through therapy, psychologists help people of all ages to find solutions to their problems. The training and licensing of psychologists is rigorous and no one may represent themselves by the title of psychologist unless they have achieved the high standards of the profession and state licensing authorities.

When a person chooses to seek therapy with a psychologist they can have confidence that many other qualified professionals have reviewed and examined the training and background of that psychologist. As members of Collin County Psychological Association we encourage freedom of choice, but we also encourage persons seeking therapy to choose practitioners who have the proper qualifications.

We feel that psychologists are your best choice for therapy and will cooperatively work with other health disciplines to ensure you receive the best care!

The psychologists listed here are not the only psychologists in this area. They have chosen to affiliate and cooperatively work with you to make our community healthier. They are listed in alphabetical order and you are encouraged to review all of the information about each one. If you have questions, please contact the psychologist directly.

After you have looked over the information in this directory, feel free to interview several psychologists - by telephone or in person - before making your choice. Following your initial meeting, you and your psychologist will decide whether you can work together and what treatment plan would be best. These sessions, called consultation sessions, will help you determine if the psychologist is right for you. Also, in certain instances, these sessions may provide the basis for referral to another health professional, agency, organization; or simply, answered your concerns. Not everyone needs therapy, however sometimes we all have questions. We would like to be one of the sources you look to answer your concerns about mental health issues

There are a number of unregulated titles, such as counselor, therapist, psychotherapist, hypnotist, advisor and analyst, which are sometimes mistakenly used interchangeably with psychologist. Since titles like there are unregulated, anyone, with no required qualifications at all, can hold themselves out to the public as a professional without violating any law. CCPA endeavors to help the public be more aware of the differences between psychologists and those who use such unregulated titles by using the title "psychologist" only to refer to one who is licensed as such.