I am interested in becoming a mental health practitoner. Any suggestions on what makes a good provider?

Question

I am working on my degree to be a psychiatric practitoner, which includes dispensing drugs if needed. What advice would you give someone in this position as a consumer?

Answer 1

As a long term consumer of the public mental health system & having had experience with a multitude of psychiatrists, I offer the following:
1) Learn to be a good listener.
2) Learn to read between the lines.
3) Just because your superiors are insensitive, self obsessed number crunchers, don't fall into the same trap.
4) Don't let the drug companies money rule your diagnosies.
5) Listen to the nurses, mental health workers, social workers (you know, people on the front line that spend more time with consumers than you can).
6) Don't rush to find an answer. Remember, everyone is different.
7) Always, always do followup on you patients.
And finally, never forget to care. Once you've lost that you're no good to any of us, or to yourself.

PS to Stuart: If this place is full of 12yr olds, what is someone your age doing here?

Answer 2

As a consumer I would say that you really need to take time with clients when you are a psychiatrist and find out where their problems are coming from. I believe many people are referred to psychiatrists by psychologists so extensive research may have already be done, but sometimes this isn't true. Some people react to their environment and past troubles, causing alot of chaos in their current lives that really isn't a chemical imbalance. However if they have a situational depression, this may physically affect their body and they may become sick or develop some disorders. These people need to go to counseling instead of just put on drugs. Usually all of their ailments are solved by counseling and cleaning up the situation they are living in life. But take time to figure this out! The client may think they know what is wrong with him/her but YOU are the doctor, with the license.
I went to a psychiatrist once and I remember the visit as uncomfortable, the doctor took hardly any time to see me, was sarcastic, and hardly listened to my probelms. he gave me some drugs and I never went back after I tried them because I didn't like how I was treated there.
I also think doctors need to set up counseling for the person or make it required for them if they need it. They should be checked up on after any drugs are depsensed or any counseling. I know this is supposed to be done, but people choose to come back or not. Try to make it a comfortable place where people want to come back and get help.

Answer 3

First, let me understand...you want to be the health care provider, not the patient, right?

Strongest advice I can give you toward this end: consider getting medical and educational advice from someone with professional credentials, not a bunch of 12 year olds on a public website.

Answer 4

I would talk with clients from my personal experiences, like...if you have ever been thru something similar to what a client is going thru, then let them know so that they know there is light at the end of the tunel, and not try to act "better" than them. Don't rush them out of the office, give them lots of info on the new drugs, don't just send them on their way with a prescription. Call them for follow-up so that they know you haven't frogotten about them like most people in their lifes may have.

Answer 5

a million.) even as, the position and to what sounds did you lose your virginity to? i have not yet. 2.) Do you've a psychological ailment? No 3.) what's the worst rumour you've heard about your self? that i'm person-friendly. -.- Gosh, i have not even had my first kiss yet! 4.) what's the ingredient you be apologetic about maximum on your existence? (if any) Flirting plenty with this guy who had a lady friend. yet i did not recognize it on the time. 5.) have you ever had a pal completely stab you in the back? Ugh, definite. >.< 6.) have you ever self-harmed? definite :( 7.) have you ever or a pal ever tried suicide? No 8.) might want to you be embarrassed to confess that you masturbate? now to not my bff

Answer 6

Get the best most extensive training you can find. Get the most experience that you can with the best supervisors available. Get some treatment yourself so you can find and work through some of your issues. The more you know yourself the better. Therapists are constantly confronted with problems that they themselves have or have had—if the therapist doesn't recognize that, they can do more harm than good.

Answer 7

be a good listener. focus on the patient when they are talking and give them your complete attention. you will need to have good communication skills and learn to be an active listener - giving answers like 'uh huh' and 'yea' isnt going to make the person think that you are truly listening to them. you will also need to be very patient - people with mental problems can be very emotionally draining, and can really make you feel bad at times. so you need to just be patient with them. you will also need to learn how to not absorb their problems, especially with people with certain mental disorders, such as bipolar. some mental health practitioners absorb their patients' problems as their own and end up burned out or depressed themselves. so while it is good to be attached to your patients and compassionate towards their problems, you need to find the fine line between becoming TOO involved and just becoming involved enough to make your patients know you care.

Answer 8

I believe you have to patient, kind hearted, excellent listener, and relatively easy going. Good Luck with your career and remember to listen to all not just what and when ou want to.

Answer 9

I learned in one of my classes that every psychologist needs a psychologist.........meaning that u take in sooooooo many problems from other people, that you yourself are going to need to vent too...

Answer 10

Lotsa drugs. Whatever your patient says makes them feel good, give it to them! :}