Work in Progress

Shouldn’t we all consider ourselves a work in progress?
If you think about it, we are never done growing and never done learning. We can always work to improve who we are, how we handle things, what we want to do and who we want to be. We are never complete and never done. Life is always throwing surprises at us that we have to respond to. Things never go exactly as we planned and life never stays stagnant or consistent.
I have always believed such things. However, recently I came to some conclusions pertaining to what I always thoughts I wanted to be and should be. After all of these years for that perception to change does not mean I was wrong. It just means that it is time to adjust and make a shift.
If we plan out who we are and what we will do in our late teens and early twenties, for example, and we never veer away from that path then are we thinking? Are we growing? Are we allowing ourselves to consider other possibilities? Do we not want to allow that process? Will life at times not require us to consider other possibilities?
Life should be not predictable or boring. Do not settle for the same in yourself.
Dr. Christine Frydenborg Dargon

Are we the bastards of the healthcare field?

Question:
Why are those of us in the mental health field not considered on the same level of other healthcare service providers? Many people have no respect for our time, our need to make a living etc. I had this week a family that asked me to attend a meeting at a school and were shocked that I charged for that time. If you request my services whether it be for something of that nature, to go to court, write a report etc., where would you get the idea that such service would be free? It seems that those of us who are psychologists are not seen as “real doctors” and so do not command the same respect. Is it because we are in the caring field that we are to understand people missing appointments rather then charge them? Would love thoughts!
I have been amazed over the years at how differently we are treated from those working in a medical doctor’s office. Insurance coverage of mental health services is no where near as through as medical although advancements have been made in this area. I think part of what contributes to the stigma of mental health professionals and psychologists are things such as Dr. Phil:

Is Dr. Phil actually a psychologist?

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Article summary:

1. Dr. Phil is a Doctor.  He has a Ph.D. in Psychology.
2. Dr. Phil is not a psychologist.  He is not licensed as a psychologist.  
3. Dr. Phil used to be a psychologist.  He used to be licensed.
4. He cannot practice psychology,  and what he does is not actually the practice of psychology.
5. Yes,  he can call him self Dr. Phil.

This article was written soon after Dr. Phil involved himself in an incident with Britney Spears.  When he stepped off the stage and into someone’s real life,  he almost got himself in trouble.  
The profession of psychology has no problem with what he does,  although some disagree with how he does it.  You should judge for yourself.
http://everydaypsychology.com/2008/01/is-dr-phil-actually-psychologist.html#.U6Bflyj5fMg
People may be aware of this and I think it diminishes the respect and tarnishes the perspective of other real psychologists like myself.
On Wiki someone asked “Are psychologists doctors?” (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Are_psychologists_doctors) – the public has no idea the years of education we go through and the years of training. Similar ignorance applies to master’s level mental health clinicians.
I cannot begin to tell you how often people make appointments and never show up for them – no phone call no nothing. I know most officers, medical and mental health, have a 24 hour cancellation policy and yet people are shocked when you charge them. We chase people to get paid meanwhile doctor’s officer will take payment up front or you will not be seen and no one balks at this.
So why are we the second class citizens? What can be done to change societies perspectives? Yes we are in a profession of helping, caring, empathizing and supporting but this is also our jobs, our livelihoods and our means to put food on the table. I drive a Ford Focus. What does your primary care doctor drive?
Dr. Christine Frydenborg Dargon