Mental Health Profession Topics

This area holds diverse topics pertaining to the professional and business topics in the mental health field. Many of the subjects are key to effective, legal practice. As you can see from the outline, they range from evidence-based practice to getting a job.

Think about how these topics may be relevant to your practice. For example, if you don't prescribe medication or conduct testing, you can use information about such topics to assist clients in understanding the purpose of their medication, their relationship with their psychiatrist, or the significance of their test results. Many providers of medication or testing are not skilled in communicating with clients about such sensitive matters, or do not see it as their responsibility.

As a result, therapists often find themselves in the position of go-between or interpreter. For example, a client may be very upset that their psychiatrist is keeping them on a medication that has side effects instead of trying another. The therapist explains that it often takes time befor the side effects subside so the doctory and patient can really know whether the medication is appropriate. Many clients come in not having been told such basic things (or not having heard it the first time).

Please think outside of the treatment room, and consider what's really going on in clients' lives. For example, therapists and social workers should provide resources to clients that are financially distressed or homeless. See Assistance for Mental Health Clients for ideas.