Will Wooton: Finding effective treatment
By Will Wooton
Something that’s always baffled me is why parents so freely trust therapists or even full treatment programs. Mental health is like any other profession. There are some highly skilled and amazing practitioners, there are some I am embarrassed to admit actually work with clients, however, the majority fall somewhere in the middle.
Will Wooton
Several weeks ago I discussed with a mother her travels to Los Angeles for an elective surgery. She had heard rave reviews about this surgeon and spent almost a year doing research on his work. She knew she would not settle for anything but the best for her procedure. Her theory was “I’d have gone to the moon for the best; this was my face after all!”
I don’t disagree with this yet I was confused when she began listing the programs and therapists to which she had taken her son. The list looked like the mental health directory for North County. I asked her how she found all these people and places. She looked at me with confusion for a few seconds before replying “my insurance company” and “the prior therapist.” This seems to be common in mental health, yet all treatment is not the same. All programs do not help while others can actually be damaging.
Insurance companies have networks of authorized providers or programs to which they refer patients. The person assisting you has no knowledge of the program and has no idea if it’s good, bad, or the proper fit for your situation. They simply plug in your location, check for who is in your area, provide an authorization code and leave it up to you to set an appointment. Seems simple enough yet this often can lead to a poor treatment choice as you have no real information on who you’re seeing and what they do. Are they the “cream of the crop” or burned out from many years of practice? Does their program have effective styles or will the kids run wild?
Most parents I see are so desperate to find help they assume that when they find it, it is quality. Sadly this is not true and, after going through a few ineffective programs, the belief that treatment doesn’t work will understandably develop.
When a program isn’t a good fit for your family, be careful of the other names you are given. The best programs work with the best practitioners and vise versa. When I give a parent a phone number of someone to call, I feel it is my reputation on the line for them to see the best. I want to know that they will receive top quality care and I can stand behind my referral. I want feedback that it was a great connection. I want to work with the best and maintain that.
The only way to find quality care is to do the investigation. Talk with other parents who have done it. Check out local support groups and ask around. There are a few in this area held every week. Talk to the actual counselors or therapists who run the programs, not just the assessment departments. Be direct and ask how their program will be better for your child. If you’ve worked with a great person in the past, ask them for a recommendation. Remember — great people work and know of each other.
For desired topics or questions you would like to read about, email me at will.pts@me.com.
Related posts:
- Will Wooton: What if someone doesn’t want to be helped?
- Will Wooton: How do you tell if your teen is on drugs?
Short URL: http://www.pomeradonews.com/?p=27918
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on Aug 27 2012. Filed under Columnists.
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Great points. I find it fascinating that people will spend time on Yelp just to figure out what Restaurant they want to eat at. Yet, when it comes time for treatment we just "accept" whatever the insurance carrier decides to give us. Seems kinda backwards…
that mom in your example is more concerned with her stupid plastic surgery than her own kid? i think you helped her diagnose another issue that she needs to deal with, not just her face that needs work but also her relationship with her kid. wow what are parents thinking these days?
Treatment is not just an investment of time, its an investment in a future. And most of the time the goal or reward won't be immediate. But like all good investments they will pay off in the end. So as Will so eloquently states doing your research is essential! The best resource is parents or individuals who have been there. And don't be afraid to admit if its not a good fit. Recovery is the goal! Be diligent in your search and maintain the stamina needed by utilizing all resources. As Will teaches it is a marathon and not a sprint when achieving the change needed for recovery.
This man speaks the truth. Not only did he personally save my son from crystal meth but he got me to look at my life and I got sober from his reffural in October 2002. God bless you Mr Wooten
This is so true, We did they same thing. We put our son into a program that was covered by our insuance, and was recommended. It was the wrong place for us. I wont say who it was, or why it was wrong, To long a story. But I can say it just
was a bad situation. We found Wills group, Thank God! It was just what our son needed. NO BS, Right to the point, No games. And I must say Will has a way with these kids. If your lost, Like I was, Call Will, And if he isnt for you, He will point you in the right direction. Melinda Rinehart
It is really hard to find proper treatment in San Diego. So happy to have found Will and his program.
I'm not doubting Will and his program, but you can find plenty of good help in San Diego. You just have to look.
Such as? Ive lived in Poway 20 years and dont know any good ones besides a group on thursday nights at MCHS
Always a good reminder, especially when finding a valuable program for your child to receive the care the need. Thank you Will for your dedication to our youth!!
Love this column. Mr. Wooton addresses important issues for us all. It seems that we, or someone we know, all have someone dealing with the concerns he addresses. Thanks for the great information.
Great points Will! I too followed the advice of my insurance company in trying to find help for my son……..which was a BIG, fat, waste of time! I have learned that some of the BEST referrals come from other's who have sought and found the same help you are seeking! If your willing to expose yourself aliitle bit, and reach out to other's, you will probably be as lucky as I was and get referred to a quality practitoner……..i.e. Mr. Will Wooten!
Mr. Wooten makes a trerrific point, that when we are desperate for answers ro options we may settle for the first person speaking. Communicate, seek, and be dilegent. If you find a program and then feel uncomfortable with anything in the process, its okay to move to next one to find a proper fit. That is the parents discomfort and not the teen's. We benifited from a vigilant tuent officer > Psycholigist > IOP. They all were terrific and was up to my teen to make it happen and go through the progression. We as paraents don't have to settle. Will, once again you bring sage advice to parents looking for support and answers.
Good points made Will. Therapy is a commitment and an investment in your future, and the future of those that are in your life. Insurance companies unfortunately do not have time to research the quality if services provided and rely upon applicants to present their skills in an honest way. I agree word of mouth via friends and family and from other professionals in your life is the best way to find good treatment..and if it's not a good fit people shouldn't be afraid to find alternatives.
Everything important deserves time spent making sure the best choices are made – our children deserve no less.
How very true. Most insurance companies only want to put a bandaid on the problem & do not look at the long term issue that requires more than just 30, 60 or even 90 days to fix. It is so sad that our health care providers do not look at drug & alcoholism as an illness that requires long term treatment much like cancer or heart disease. Then the other issue is most people pay so much for their health care that they have little money left over.
I had no idea where to turn! I was too embarassed to go to friends so I asked the school. Had he gone to Mt Carmel I would have been in good shape! Their Wellness Program is top notch. The other school said they didn't know where help could be found. Same with the Sherrif's dept. Shocking but true. I think some of the schools and officers have really changed their tune lately I have to say. The Poway Town Hall meeting really helped that I think. Glad to see a little progress!