Setting to do cognitive therapy 1 on 1 in office?

[dvm25]

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Hello, did not know where to post this but figured mental health would fit 🙂

I am just finishing up my masters in OT...and plan on working in mental health. I have had a few placement experiences in mental health...inpatient and bit of outpatient...mostly do group stuff and brief assessments, etc.

However, the idea of having clients come in to see me in an office where it is 1 on 1 really appeals to me and I know OTs can perform CBT. I kinda want to go more indepth with psychological stuff and I am just wondering, does anyone know how I can look for these positions and whether or not these positions are relatively easy to come by?

Any experiences or feedback would be appreciated! Thank you.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Uhm....if you want to do more "psychological stuff", then you should pursue formal training and licensure as a mental health provider, and not attempt to provide services outside of your area of training, competency, and scope of practice.

 

[dvm25]

Uhm....if you want to do more "psychological stuff", then you should pursue formal training and licensure as a mental health provider, and not attempt to provide services outside of your area of training, competency, and scope of practice.

you do realize mental health care is well within the scope of OT...

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

you do realize mental health care is well within the scope of OT...

I guess Medicare and similar never got that memo....

What kind of formal training (classroom, mentor, etc) have you received during your OT schooling that will allow you to provide psychological services?

 

[dvm25]

I guess Medicare and similar never got that memo....

What kind of formal training (classroom, mentor, etc) have you received during your OT schooling that will allow you to provide psychological services?

lol not even going to bother...

typing this from hospital Occupational therapy MENTAL HEALTH unit as we speak...xD

 

[Qwerk]

Hello, did not know where to post this but figured mental health would fit 🙂

I am just finishing up my masters in OT...and plan on working in mental health. I have had a few placement experiences in mental health...inpatient and bit of outpatient...mostly do group stuff and brief assessments, etc.

However, the idea of having clients come in to see me in an office where it is 1 on 1 really appeals to me and I know OTs can perform CBT. I kinda want to go more indepth with psychological stuff and I am just wondering, does anyone know how I can look for these positions and whether or not these positions are relatively easy to come by?

Any experiences or feedback would be appreciated! Thank you.

Yes, occupational therapists practice in mental health settings. No, they are not psychotherapists. What you're considering (at least, according to the AOTA) is well outside the scope of practice of an occupational therapist. Providing education and patient counseling in an occupational therapy session is normal for an OT. Setting up a private psychotherapy practice is not.

I don't know what state you live in, but my state specifically prohibits occupational therapists from practicing psychotherapy. I believe other states do, too.

The fact that you have no idea in what settings therapists work or how to come by a psychotherapeutic position is telling, as is the fact that you want to get more "in depth" with the "psychological stuff," not by actually studying psychology/counseling/whatever, but by obtaining a position as a psychotherapist where you'd be in a position to do real harm if you weren't properly trained.

Therapist4Chnge's question was a serious one (and a good one), so I don't think you should brush it off. I'll repeat it: have you had any graduate training in psychotherapy?

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

The fact that you have no idea in what settings therapists work or how to come by a psychotherapeutic position is telling, as is the fact that you want to get more "in depth" with the "psychological stuff," not by actually studying psychology/counseling/whatever, but by obtaining a position as a psychotherapist where you'd be in a position to do real harm if you weren't properly trained.

Therapist4Chnge's question was a serious one (and a good one), so I don't think you should brush it off. I'll repeat it: have you had any graduate training in psychotherapy?

That was my primary concern....many providers do harm because they don't know what they don't know. I would never consider doing neurosurgery just because I find it interesting. I have a plethora of training and experience in the wet lab dissecting hundreds of brains, but that doesn't mean I should do it on a living and breathing person,

 

[Qwerk]

I have a plethora of training and experience in the wet lab dissecting hundreds of brains

I do not want to know where you work. From now on, I'll picture you with a strange, cackling laugh and wild, staticky hair.

living and breathing person

What about, like, a reanimated corpse hell-bent on revenge? The ethical questions there are thorny, no? (Sorry, I couldn't resist. Halloween and all.)

 

[Qwerk]

Oh, and:

they don't know what they don't know

+1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning–Kruger_effect

 

[Qwerk]

Exactly. As psycscientist said, many professions incorporate CBT at different levels. Teachers learn to use CBT to manage their classrooms. B.A.-level behavior therapists and case managers use it, too. Even (non-psychiatric) doctors and nurses can be trained in CBT. That doesn't mean that any of these people are qualified to provide psychotherapy.

Dvm25, I strongly suggest that you look at your state's regulations about your scope of practice and licensure before setting out to do whatever you're planning, especially if it involves private practice. You could find yourself in a lot of trouble if the state decides that you're overstepping the bounds of your training.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

That was my primary concern....many providers do harm because they don't know what they don't know. I would never consider doing neurosurgery just because I find it interesting. I have a plethora of training and experience in the wet lab dissecting hundreds of brains, but that doesn't mean I should do it on a living and breathing person,

I think perhaps a big part of the issue is the lack of appreciation for the harm that inappropriately-practiced and administered psychotherapy (or "psychotherapy") can have on a person. With surgery, or most other medical interventions, the harm is much more salient because it's there in front of you; with psychotherapy, the harm might not become immediately apparent, but is particularly problematic for that reason (and because it can be much more difficult to then treat).

Edit: Also, this says nothing about the significantly important ability to properly assess/diagnose the issues you're planning on treating, as well as to monitor progress (or lack thereof) and adjust accordingly throughout the therapeutic process. These are things that just can't be learned by reading through a manual.

 

[psychology24]

Hello, did not know where to post this but figured mental health would fit 🙂

I am just finishing up my masters in OT...and plan on working in mental health. I have had a few placement experiences in mental health...inpatient and bit of outpatient...mostly do group stuff and brief assessments, etc.

However, the idea of having clients come in to see me in an office where it is 1 on 1 really appeals to me and I know OTs can perform CBT. I kinda want to go more indepth with psychological stuff and I am just wondering, does anyone know how I can look for these positions and whether or not these positions are relatively easy to come by?

Any experiences or feedback would be appreciated! Thank you.

If you are interested in gaining some mental health specialized training, and have a particular interest in CBT and cognitive therapy, I know Upenn offers such opportunities. http://www.med.upenn.edu/cct/program_overview.html

I just reviewed their requirements and seems you need doctorate psychology, M.D., or social worker. It might not hurt to ask about your discipline and background if this is something you are really interested in.

 

[wigflip]

I just reviewed their requirements and seems you need doctorate psychology, M.D., or social worker. It might not hurt to ask about your discipline and background if this is something you are really interested in.

I think that's the issue: OP is finishing MA in OT (occupational therapy). Appears to be looking to do CBT without the above listed credentials or other mental health related training/degree/license. Even if s/he received specialized training, it wouldn't make the kind of work s/he's interested in doing legal unless s/he's in a state where anyone can hang a mental health care shingle without a license. Even then, the ethics and efficacy would be questionable, as others have suggested.