Re-creating Mental Health Care: A Revolutionary Model of Integrative Treatment
Re-creating Mental Health Care: A Revolutionary Model of Integrative Treatment
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Issue Date
2011
Authors
Schwartz, Nikki
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Abstract
The way we are dealing with mental health issues in this country is simply not working. Current treatment options include medication and traditional modes of psychotherapy, as well as other treatment modalities, including clinical nutrition, health coaching, psychoeducational groups, and various stress management techniques. While all of these treatments, including medication, have something to recommend, most of the time, one of them alone is not adequate to treat a mental health issue. This paper presents a new model of treatment, Integrative Mental Health Care (IMHC), which will give people an alternative to traditional mental health care options. While the content may vary from program to program, based on the specific nature of the issue, the framework of this treatment program can be applied to any mental health or developmental disorder. The main tenets of the IMHC are: 1) complete functional physical and psychological assessment; 2) psychoeducational groups based on interdisciplinary content; 3) support groups; and 4) individual coaching. The first part of this paper will present a brief history of mental health treatment in the United States and how we wound up in our current paradigm of over-medication. The second part of the paper will explain the main treatment methods currently being utilized in mental health care, which are psychotherapy and medication. The third part of the paper will present a critique of the philosophies that the current treatment paradigm rests upon. The fourth part of the paper will present a new and integrative model of treatment for mental health care.