Exploring the public's desires for therapy, the discrepancies in therapy preferences between industries and the public, the importance of aligning treatment with public preferences, the role of physicians in therapy referrals, challenges individuals face in accessing therapy, and the significance of therapist fit for effective outcomes.
Therapeutic approaches like depth, insight, and relationships are undervalued in public mental health discussions, needing awareness.
Understanding public needs for therapy involves key elements such as feeling heard, gaining insight, and focusing on root causes.
Deep dives
Public Perception of Therapy
The study explored public perceptions of therapy, highlighting confusion and lack of knowledge among individuals. The public largely recognizes psychoanalytic therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) compared to other modalities, showcasing a need for education on therapy options.
Desired Therapy Elements
The research identified key elements that individuals seek in therapy, including feeling heard, gaining insight and choice, believing in the value of therapy, and focusing on root causes rather than superficial issues. These elements reflect the core benefits individuals desire from therapy.
Challenges with Referrals and Insurance
The study showed that individuals often seek referrals from physicians as gatekeepers to therapy, emphasizing the significant role physicians play in mental health care. Moreover, concerns about therapy cost, insurance coverage, and confusion over coverage lead to barriers in accessing therapy.
Educational and Advocacy Efforts
Future initiatives by the organization include public education to demystify therapy, enhance understanding of therapy benefits, and combat misleading marketing messages. Advocating for clearer communication between providers and patients to facilitate informed decision-making on mental health care.
Therapies of depth, insight, and relationship have been missing from, if not pushed out of, the public conversation on mental health treatment. After decades of attack from multiple fronts, these therapies are misunderstood, undervalued, and overlooked by the general public. In order to address this challenge and change this trajectory, we must start by listening to the public and understand their needs, values, and preferences about therapy. Dr. Linda Michaels and colleagues conducted an extensive research project, leveraging qualitative and quantitative tools and techniques widely used in the corporate world, focused on “listening” to the public and understanding what people want and need from therapy.
Linda Michaels, PsyD, MBA, is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Chicago. She is also chair and co-founder of the Psychotherapy Action Network (PsiAN), a non-profit that advocates for quality therapy.