Test Your Knowledge

It is crucial that patients choose the right mental health professional. Patients are urged to seek advice from friends, family and others about reputable mental health providers in the community. For example, the mental health division of a patient’s local health department can offer suggestions about local mental health providers. A patient’s family physician, employee assistance program and health insurance company can also be good resources for this information.

Other resources include members of the clergy, family service agencies, school counselors, psychiatric hospitals and other mental health organizations. If emergency mental health care is needed, patients and their loved ones can receive rapid help by calling hotlines, crisis centers and hospital emergency rooms.

Factors that may influence a choice of mental health professional include the nature and severity of a patient’s symptoms, the patient’s health insurance coverage limitations, the potential need for medication and the provider’s experience and expertise levels. Patients may also prefer therapists of a certain age, gender, religion, language or cultural background.

Patients are urged to spend some time screening potential providers. It is important that patients feel comfortable with their providers, so patients are urged to ask about approaches to treatment and the professional’s areas of specialty or expertise. Patients should also inquire if the professional has treated people with similar conditions and if they have particular ideas about treatment. It is often a good idea for patients to write down any questions they may have ahead of time and bring them to the appointment. This helps ensure that the patient does not forget to address any important topics with the mental health professional.

In many cases, patients who are seeking help may feel too overwhelmed by their emotional problems to undertake the effort necessary to ensure a good fit between the patient and the provider. Turning to family, friends, clergy and other trusted allies could help make the process easier. 

Prior to the treatment, the patient will undergo a structured interview called a psychiatric interview. The purpose of the psychiatric interview is to obtain information from the patient about the presenting problem and the factors that lead to it. The psychiatric interview also focuses on the patient's previous disorders, predisposition, biopsychosocial strengths and limitations, insight into the problem and desire for assistance. The psychiatric history covers topics that range from identifying data to coping mechanisms.

Patients may be asked several questions, including:

• What do you think is the problem?
  
  
• What are some of the important details surrounding the problem?
  
  
• Where do you live?
  
  
• What is your job?

The provider will also ask questions about the primary relationships in the patient’s life. It is normal for some people to feel a bit uncomfortable about having to reveal intimate details regarding their lives. It is also common for patients to feel better initially and then feel somewhat worse as treatment continues. Patients may struggle with their feelings when confronting troublesome issues from the past or present.

Following the initial visit and the psychiatric interview, providers will discuss their thoughts about the diagnosis and treatment plan with the patients. They will also inform patients about the methods, frequency, duration and cost of the treatment.

However, some patients may experience discomfort that goes beyond what is acceptable for the patient-provider relationship to function effectively. Patients who do not feel comfortable talking with their provider – for whatever reason – should always feel free to choose another provider. This is true even if the discomfort does not emerge until after several sessions have been completed.