Concerns About Physician Mental Health Online Therapy Treatment
If you’re a physician seeking mental health treatment for issues like physician burnout, depression, or anxiety, you are right to have concerns about the possibility of obtaining online therapy treatment. Major barriers prevent physicians from receiving the treatment they need. In this blog, I’ll speak about these barriers.
Treatment for Physician Mental Health and Your Medical License
In 2017, the Mayo Clinic Proceedings reported nearly 40% of physicians reported they would be reluctant to obtain treatment for a mental health condition because of concerns about repercussions to their medical licensure. Though revoking licensure may be illegal under the Americans with Disabilities Act, medical licensing boards still can and do. The American Medical Association recommends medical licensing boards remove or change the questions asking about a physician’s current or past mental health diagnoses. With that said, states still ask questions like, “Do you have a medical condition which in any way impairs or limits your ability to practice your profession with reasonable skill and safety?” Everyone should be answering this question honestly, based on their interpretation. There may be a few medical conditions that will impair or limit a physician's ability to practice their profession with reasonable skill and safety. Severe mental illness where a patient receives inpatient therapy or rehabilitation services may impair or limit a physician's ability to practice their profession with reasonable skill and safety. The specific issues that I work with do not impair or limit their ability to practice their profession with reasonable skill and safety. My clients continue to function at a high level and practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety.
Physician Mental Health Treatment Makes Better Doctors.
Mental health treatment or therapy makes physicians better. Physicians face issues the general population does not. There are high levels of stress, as well as exposure to trauma. Unaddressed mental health issues can lead to maladaptive coping skills. Therapy addresses the underlying issues, as well as teach appropriate coping skills to manage stressors. Physicians give themselves every single day to their patients. If a physician can no longer give to their patients because of maladaptive coping skills, then they are doing a disservice to themselves and their patients. Therapy helps physicians be better.
Privacy for Physician Mental Health Treatment
Physicians worry about privacy when they receive mental health treatment. If a client plans to use insurance for therapy, insurance will require that the client has a diagnosis for payment. My practice does not accept insurance and is 100% cash pay. I am not required to give a client a diagnosis. I do not agree with the medical model of providing a diagnosis for the issues that I address. I talk with patients about their symptoms and their life experiences. Providing a diagnosis can negatively affect clients. Some clients respond negatively to the stigma attached to having a mental health diagnosis. Other clients may build their identity around their diagnosis.
I follow HIPAA standards for Online Therapy
I follow the same HIPAA laws and standards as other medical professionals. I do not speak to anyone about your treatment unless legally allowed to. In many cases, a client will need to sign a release of information before I speak to anyone about a client's treatment. I provide online therapy through a HIPAA-compliant platform. Also, because I provide online therapy, you do not need to worry about being recognized going into a therapist’s office. Online therapy is a way to receive support for your issue in a very discreet manner.
Physician Anonymity with Online Therapy
Your organization likely has a therapist on staff to work on well-being and burnout or has an EAP program. Still, getting help at work can be a concern. Since I provide online therapy throughout the states of California, Michigan, and Nevada, I may not be connected to your network, your organization, or your local community. Though I’ve lived in different parts of California, as well as Las Vegas, I am located in rural Michigan. There will be a high level of anonymity because of this. It is very unlikely that we will cross paths in person. I know that this is something that many physicians look for because there are no ‘connections’ to everyday life when working with me.
Shame Associated with Physician Mental Health Treatment
There is a culture in medicine where physicians are all-knowing, perfect, superhuman, and do not have any issues of their own. This is far from the truth but was ingrained during medical school. Physicians are programmed to function with the high demands, long hours, lack of sleep, doubt, guilt, and a sense of personal responsibility for patients, all while doing it by themselves. A physician will go it alone in fear that they are seen as weak or incapable. In reality, it’s normal to ask for help in your life. You weren’t able to become a physician without the help of others. You’ve had friends, family, colleagues, mentors, attendings, and fellows help you. It's time to humanize being a physician. Humans need help and support. You aren’t the only one that feels this way.
Online Therapy for Physician Mental Health
When you are ready to make that commitment to yourself and want online therapy in California, online therapy in Michigan, or online therapy in Nevada, reach out to me here for a complimentary 15-minute consultation. I want you to get better today.
My name is Chris Rabanera. I provide online therapy in California, online therapy in Michigan, and online therapy in Nevada. Issues I work with include physician burnout, anxiety, depression, personal and professional relationships, family dynamics, grief, and life transitions.
