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Patient Resources

Patient Resources
For Therapy Patients, Families, and Support Networks

National Government Resources

SAMHSA-Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration:
This national agency belongs to the United States Department of Health and Human Services. It is an excellent, no-nonsense source of comprehensive information about mental health and addiction.

NIMH-National Institute of Mental Health
The largest organization in the world dedicated to the research and understanding of issues related to mental health.

Individual State Government Mental Health and Addiction Agencies

The most important resource about psychotherapists in your area is your own state government mental health and addiction agencies. At state government web sites you may find links to your state agencies/offices of mental health, alcoholism and drug abuse. Ask them what licenses and certifications are required in your state and ask them where you can find current lists of practitioners whose licenses are up to date.

Twelve Step Programs

These will offer free self-help meetings in your area; check online. Remember – these programs offer excellent recovery and support network but they are not a cure, or treatment for addictions.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous
Overeaters Anonymous
Gamblers Anonymous

Also, there are programs for families of those with addictions including Al-Anon; Alateen; Nar-Anon; Gam-anon; etc.

Education and Awareness

NAMI-National Alliance on Mental Illness
NAMI is dedicated to improving the lives individuals and families affected by mental illness through education and advocacy programs. They also fight against the stigma of mental illness.

Professional Associations

Professional associations can be a good source of information about specific types of psychotherapy. Their web sites have search functions that can help you find a practitioners in your area. Remember: These lists are not referrals or recommendations.

The American Mental Health Counselors Association
The American Psychiatric Association
The American Psychological Association
National Association of Social Workers
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
American Society of Group Psychotherapy & Psychodrama

Professional associations can be a good source of information about specific types of psychotherapy. Their web sites have search functions that can help you find a practitioners in your area. Remember: These lists are not referrals or recommendations.

Web Sites

www.PsychCentral.com A hub of mental health, psychology, and psychotherapy topics.

Therapy Soup Blog and Cup of Soup: My regular blog (and mini-blog) on PsychCentral.com.

International

Counsellingresource.com Excellent U.K. web site with loads of information about psychotherapy including quizzes, advice, research library, and more. A veritable encyclopedia–all in laymen’s terms.

By richardzwolinksi 5:12 pm

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"A valuable resource for patients and practitioners alike, setting the standard for therapy and counseling practice. If you know anyone considering therapy, or who is unhappy with their therapist, make sure they read this book."

-Tom Butler-Bowdon, author of 50 Psychology Classics, 50 Self-Help Classics

Amazon Bestseller, NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) Advocate Book Pick, Dec., 2009

From Therapy Revolution (HCI Books), Chapter 4, Focus on Your First Appointment, Page 90

For Therapy Patients, Their Families, and Support Networks: You need to be prepared for every step of therapy, from finding a therapist, to the first few visits, to the very last session, and beyond. Become an educated patient and you will get more effective treatment.

During your first or second psychotherapy session, your therapist will ask you plenty of questions (and write down all your answers) in order to get to know as much as possible about you. These questions are collectively known as the Evaluation or the Biopsychosocial History. This and other useful checklists, charts, and questionnaires are included in Therapy Revolution, along with easy-to-understand tips and pointers, real-life patient interviews, and more.

Biopsychosocial History/Evaluation Checklist
[When your therapist does your evaluation], make sure that at least the following topics are included in the questions he or she asks:

1. Identifying data/demographic data (social security number, date of birth, sex, race, emergency contact information, living situation)
2. Alcohol and drug history (including over-the-counter and prescription medications, herbal or nutritional remedies, and illegal drugs and alcohol; how drugs are administered; frequency of use; age first used; date last used; progression of use; withdrawal symptoms; history of treatment programs/hospitalizations; symptoms and complications of alcohol and drug history)
3. Mental health history (including medication history and compliance, allergies to medications, history of treatment programs/hospitalizations, and symptoms and complications of that history, including harm to self or others)
4. Medical history (including medication history and compliance, allergies to medications, hospitalizations, chronic and/or life-threatening illnesses, and symptoms and past and current complications of that history)
5. Other topics (sexual history, educational history, vocational history, financial history, legal history, social history, family/significant other, gambling history, nicotine history, eating disorders, spirituality, leisure, military history)
6. Reason for seeking treatment
7. Questions specific to present stage of life (childhood, adolescence, geriatric, etc., as needed)

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