As a therapist utilizing a Cognitive Behavioral perspective, advocating for a client's mental health needs with other professionals involves clear communication and collaboration. I start by ensuring that I have all appropriate releases signed and shared. I then revisit needs and goals of the treatment plan with my client to ensure a comprehensive mutual understanding of the client's needs and goals. When reaching out to other professionals, such as primary care physicians or psychiatrists, I provide a detailed summary of the client's progress, current treatment plan, and specific areas where additional support or coordination might be needed. For example, if a client requires medication management in addition to therapy, I communicate their current symptoms, treatment goals, and any concerns about potential medication side effects. I also advocate for integrated care by proposing joint sessions or consultations to align treatment strategies and ensure a cohesive approach. Additionally, I emphasize the importance of addressing any barriers to care, such as logistical issues or gaps in services. By maintaining open lines of communication and focusing on the client's holistic needs, I work to ensure that all professionals involved are working together effectively to support the client's mental health journey.
When advocating for a client’s mental health, effective communication with other professionals—be they medical, educational, or familial—is crucial. I always make it a priority to ensure that my client's voice is heard in any such conversation. In cases where a client’s mental health affects their physical health, I’ve reached out to their primary care doctor (with the client’s permission) to provide additional context about how anxiety or other mental health issues may be contributing to physical symptoms. This often leads to a more informed treatment plan, which helps the client feel understood and supported. Advocacy also extends to helping clients secure necessary accommodations in school or work environments, especially when anxiety, depression, or trauma impacts their performance. By working with clients to create individualized plans, we ensure their mental health needs are seen as equally important as their physical health, helping them thrive in all areas of life.
I have 25 years of experience working with eating disorders. Unfortunately, primary care physicians and pediatricians are not versed in what to say and not say in regards to eating issues. They force weight check ins which can impede progress made in therapy as the number on a scale is triggering. They often engage in fat shaming and tell you or your child to just lose weight, sometimes without even inquiring about a history of eating disordered behavior. Sometimes if you lose a lot of weight and could be turning to Anorexia, a physician will say, "great job" or "you look great." without checking to see if they developing an eating disorder. They also do not do proper lab work or cardiac testing. I always take the approach of sending a kind letter to the physician to explain that my client cannot do weight checks or do a blind weight. I list the lab and cardiac tests I am requesting. Usually a physician is relieved to have assistance but sometimes they don't like it. I find that psychiatrists are often resistant to medication and diagnostic feedback, which is a shame because we spend one hour weekly with a client and they do not. It should be collaborative and for the best care of the patient. I also have advocated for clients with school and work to get accommodations that can help, especially with children who have diagnostic issues.
As a play therapist, advocating for a client's mental health needs with teachers often involves clear and respectful communication. I typically start by obtaining the client's (or their guardian's) consent to share relevant information. Then, I reach out to the teacher, explaining the student's mental health challenges and how they might impact their learning or behavior in the classroom. We then collaborate to create accommodations or interventions that support the student's success. This might include adjusting deadlines, providing a quiet space for breaks, or implementing behavior management strategies. Open communication and a shared goal of helping the student thrive are crucial in these interactions.
Partnering with other professionals to advocate for a client's mental health needs has been a pivotal part of my practice. In one instance, I collaborated with a client's primary care physician to develop a comprehensive wellness plan. It was a matter of communicating clearly and ensuring that the mental health aspects were just as prioritized as physical health. We built a collaborative relationship that allowed us to share insights and tailor interventions that truly supported the client's overall well-being. This teamwork not only enhanced the client's care but also built a trust foundation that encouraged their engagement in the therapeutic process. By viewing each client as a whole person, rather than compartmentalized issues, we're able to create effective, comprehensive care strategies.
In my profession as a therapist, it is usual to call in other professionals such as a physician, a teacher, or a social worker, with the aim of promoting the mental health status of the client. For instance, one method is to encourage discussions about certain issues raised in therapy, including using the client's permission, in order to address specific problems within the realm of mental health and propose solutions. For instance, an anxiety disorder that is getting in the way of someone's career or education is severe enough that I have prepared formal submissions or made oral requests to the client's employer or educational institution for changes in the client's environment, such as work-from-home days, or a minor workload. This method also makes sure that the client's overall mental health is catered for even when therapy has not been active within the client's therapy room.