The Harm Caused By A Narcissistic Mental Healthcare System
Robert Rhoton, Psy D., LPC, F.A.A.E.T.S.
Founder of the Arizona Trauma Institute and President at the Trauma Institute International
How the Drive For Organizational Efficiency Destroys Trauma-Informed Care
I sat in a meeting of leaders from a variety of nonprofits that provide services to the mental health community. The meeting progressed, and as it did so a stunning feeling of disappointment filled me. As I listened to their conversations over and over again it came back to how an organization can be efficient, how do we bill effectively, and the discussion of how to work with highly vulnerable people was lost, or perhaps actively avoided in the narcissistic self-interest of the mental healthcare system.
“…these leaders talked about being trauma-informed but had no plan or interest in creating an environment that was trauma-informed.”
You may be asking yourself, why this is so irritating to me. So here is an easy example, in 2010 I had a client reach out that had a massive and complex trauma history asking to schedule an appointment. He was driving 150 miles to meet with our therapists. The client called when he was only several miles from the office and canceled. He did this several more times, however, he pulled into the parking lot the second time, and actually made it into the building the third time, and it was actually his 5th attempt before he walked into the office, and he could only tolerate being there about 10 minutes and he had to leave. Over the next 4 sessions, he was able to add an additional 5 minutes to each session.
As I was explaining the experience of this very vulnerable client, people in leadership roles sitting around the room, said, “We wouldn’t ever tolerate that, if they no-show or cancel 3 appointments in a row, we won’t schedule the client again, it isn’t efficient!” I went on to recount the successful completion of this client’s treatment, the transformation that he had made, and the benefit of meeting the client where the client is.?One of the leaders, in a sarcastic comment, said we are not providing Cadillac services, we are the chevy dealers of mental health. Another chimed in and said they have everything figured on an hour session, and that they wouldn’t want to work with anyone that couldn’t tolerate staying for the full hour.?I was deeply disappointed that there was an inherent double standard, these leaders talked about being trauma-informed but had no plan or interest in creating an environment that was trauma-informed.
“…we should strive to build more flexible systems, so services and healthcare are actually serving the needs of the client.”
Dr. Robert Rhoton, CEO of?Arizona Trauma Institute?and President at the?Trauma Institute International?possesses a rich history of experience in the mental health field and works internationally with organizations to improve the delivery of trauma treatment services.
→ Read More by Dr. Rhoton - "The Salutogenic Asset-Based Approach"
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Registered Nurse; Certified Hypnotherapist
2 年Well said!
Owner and Clinical Director at Life Re-Created, LLC
2 年Jennifer, I only see folks by telehealth. Even telehealth is too much for some clients who are chronically ill or in pain. I see a few who are bed bound. I will think about how viewing mindfulness or self-hypnosis videos might work. Another therapist recently suggested that. I think Robert's blog speaks to something deeper: creating policies that meet client needs and not what is just good for the agency and funding sources.
Birth Place: Earth - Race: Human - Politics: Freedom - Religion: Love
2 年Wow!! Thank YOU for your transparency and institutional courage to speak up & confront it!! ????
Helping humans design incredible comebacks after traumatic experiences. | TEDx Speaker
2 年A-freakin-men!!! ????????????