Collaboration in Private Practice: Psychotherapy in the Midst of Health Care Reform

The practice of psychology, psychiatry, social work, counseling, and psychotherapy is changing under the increasing impact of market forces, corporate insurance companies, and government reforms. Collaboration in Private Practice: Psychotherapy in the Midst of Health Care Reform is a guide to establishing a for-profit, patient-centered, independent practice based on collaboration and integration of professional values. It is directed to prepare graduate students for the new reality, address early-career professionals’ uncertainties, provide experienced practitioners with a new model, and provide patient advocates with examples to better serve consumers. Part I of this book discusses how the administrative, economic, legislative, and political issues related to mental health services are interwoven with the actual practice. Part II discusses the inner workings of clinical interventions through the author’s observations as a psychologist, supervisor, and director of a for-profit practice, The Lighthouse Clinic. The Lighthouse Clinic aims to help patients effectively deal with their problems and to lead happier, better integrated lives. All mental health professionals who aim to perform this important clinical work in a manner consistent with humanistic and caring values will find Collaboration in Private Practice both insightful and practical.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments Part I. The Practice Model Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 The Success of the Lighthouse Clinic: Its History, Structure, and Operation Chapter 3 Setting Up a Practice: Personnel and Physical Space Chapter 4 Collaboration and Networking: Marketing and Public Relations Strategies Chapter 5 Administrating a Practice in a Private Clinic Chapter 6 Diversifying and Expanding a Mental Health Practice: Reimbursement Strategies Part II. The Clinical Work Chapter 7 Psychotherapy: The Patient, the Therapist, and Their Relationship Chapter 8 Family and Couple Therapy Chapter 9 Child Psychotherapy Chapter 10 Group Psychotherapy Chapter 11 Psychological Testing Center Chapter 12 Evidence-Based Treatment and Outcome Studies Chapter 13 Clinical Programs, Services, and Presentations to the Community Chapter 14 Our Work, Our Selves References Index

About the Author :
Hava Mendelberg, PhD, is a clinical psychologist practicing in Princeton. She has been director of inpatient programs and outpatient clinics, and clinical supervisor to interns and mental health professionals in the United States, Israel, and Latin America.

Review :
This book offers an unusual and compelling roadmap for creating a successful practice in a difficult healthcare environment, while never relinquishing humanistic values. Readers are in for a unique tutorial from a talented mentor who shares her business savvy and her wise, resilient, kind, therapeutic soul so that others also may build a thriving collaborative practice. The future of high quality mental and behavioral healthcare is brighter because of her pioneering example. Hava Mendelberg tells the story of the Lighthouse Clinic and its successes in order to provide a template for developing a private practice based on sound business practices and a passion for psychotherapy. This is a personal account rich with wisdom and guidance for realizing the good life in the midst of the changing healthcare market place. She shows how it is still possible to preserve professional autonomy while providing high levels of personally satisfying quality services. A must-read for those entering private practice. In the quest to develop a financially successful and sustainable practice it is often too easy for clinicians to focus on the business of practice and to lose sight of their core values and humanistic perspective. In this volume Dr. Mendelberg shares her wisdom and experience to demonstrate that this does not have to be the case. This is an important read for anyone who wants to build a financially successful and personally satisfying practice.