8 JULY - AUGUST 2025IN MY OPINIONDr. Susan Rathmell is a licensed clinical psychologist who earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Kansas in 2007. She has been in practice in Alabama for 17 years. She is the owner and managing member of Upward Behavioral Health (www.upwardbehavioralhealth.com), a psychotherapy practice in the Birmingham, Alabama, area that specializes in the evidence-based treatment of insomnia, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Through this article, Rathmell emphasizes the importance of evidence-based therapeutic methods, sharing personal experiences that demonstrate the tangible progress and recovery patients have achieved through such treatments. Shaping an Approach to Evidence-Based PsychotherapyThe most rewarding experience for a therapist is seeing their client make meaningful progress. Over the years, I have seen firsthand the difference that evidence-based psychotherapy can make. Far more than offering support and perspective to a client, evidence-based psychotherapy helps clients make measurable progress toward recovery. Getting to see this is one of my very favorite parts of my job.One memorable experience involved a client in an evidence-based group for PTSD using Prolonged Exposure Therapy. The goal was to help clients overcome their avoidance of crowded places, a common issue even if their trauma wasn't related to such environments. After weeks of skill-building, the client chose to confront a shopping mall. His first attempt was tough, but by the second, he was able to buy holiday gifts for his children--a huge victory for him. This moment deepened my love for evidence-based therapy.Another key moment was during my training in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia. In just four weeks, a client who had suffered from insomnia for over a decade went from severe sleep issues to none at all. While he was deeply grateful, it was the evidence-based approach that truly made the difference, reminding me of the power of science in therapy. Navigating the Stigma of Mental Health IssuesI think the best thing I can do is shine a light on facts, such as:Quality, evidence-based psychotherapy can make a significant difference for almost anyone who is struggling with a mental health concern! Focusing on recovery and freedom is so much more productive than spending your energy trying to pretend that you aren't struggling.The brain is as much an organ as the pancreas, or the heart, or the lungs. We don't ostracize people who seek treatment for their diabetes, heart murmur, or asthma. It is illogical to stigmatize people seeking treatment for a condition based on their brain. Psychotherapy is simply healthcare for the brain.Almost every family has at least one person who has struggled or is struggling with a mental health concern. Pretending otherwise doesn't change that fact, but it does add to that person's and that family's burden. Maintaining mental Well-Being and Preventing BurnoutResearch tells us that one of the most powerful ways mental health providers can guard against burnout is to EXPLORING THE JOURNEY OF A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTBy Susan Rathmell, Licensed Clinical Psychologist & Owner, Upward Behavioral Health
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