JULY - AUGUST 20259EXPLORING THE JOURNEY OF A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTprovide quality care that allows them to see results in their clients. If we can see that we are making a difference and that our clients are getting better because of the work we do with them, we are much less likely to get burned out. The very best way to accomplish this is to use evidence-based protocols because they work.I also practice what I preach! In my work with clients, I devote a lot of energy to teaching them about coping skills and healthy lifestyle practices that support good mental health. It can be hard to make the time to do these things myself, but I schedule them into my day because, just like my clients, I deserve a life that is peaceful and happy. And I know that when I am peaceful and happy, I can be at my best for my clients.Impact of Changes in Mental Health PolicyMy biggest hope is that we see major changes in how insurance coverage is applied to mental healthcare. Oftentimes, mental health benefits are only sparingly covered by insurers. Even when mental health treatment is covered, the reimbursement rates to providers are often so low and come with so many complications, such as clawbacks and intrusive demands by insurers (e.g., that providers only offer shorter sessions to clients), that many providers make the choice not to accept insurance. I hope that these practices will change.Other changes that I hope to see include: continuing to expand access to care through telehealth, as this greatly expands access to mental healthcare for people who live in rural areas without many mental health providers in their community and people who don't have a lot of sick leave from work or reliable transportation to travel to mental health appointments.Continued integration of primary care and mental health, especially for mental health concerns that really should be first addressed by a mental health provider before placing a client on medication (e.g., insomnia). Engaging and updating clinical staff on the latest therapeutic techniquesA key aspect of my business model at Upward is rewarding therapists for helping clients achieve measurable mental health improvements. We regularly assess symptom severity using reliable tools, adjusting treatment if progress isn't made. When a client shows significant improvement by the end of care, the provider earns bonus pay. This system motivates our therapists to consistently deliver top-quality care.At Upward, we also engage in regular case consultation in our weekly meetings--this provides a diverse array of perspectives and areas of expertise and helps us consider treatment possibilities that we might not have conceived of on our own. We also involve ourselves in professional organizations and attend trainings and conferences to hone our skills and keep our knowledge base fresh and current.Emerging therapies and modality for the futureI think the public is becoming more and more comfortable with mindfulness training and practice, and that is a very good thing. I think mindfulness has long since been established amongst mental health professionals as a powerful therapeutic tool, and now, more and more people are becoming comfortable talking about it and using it.I believe group therapy will gain prominence in the coming years. While it's common in areas like substance abuse, it's underutilized for conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and insomnia. Misconceptions that individual therapy is more effective and fears about stigma may contribute to this. However, group therapy has many benefits: it's often more affordable, increases access to care, reduces wait times, and many clients find it helpful to work through issues alongside others with similar challenges. I hope these advantages will help reduce hesitations over time.Advice for Aspiring Clinical PsychologistsA Ph.D. in clinical psychology offers diverse career paths, including roles as professors, researchers, therapists and business owners. In some states, clinical psychologists can prescribe medications. My advice would be to explore different areas to find your niche and build expertise. For those pursuing therapy, focus on a few specialties rather than treating a broad range of conditions to sharpen your skills. True expertise requires years of education and experience, but offering specialized, expert care leads to better client outcomes and a strong reputation. AT UPWARD, WE CONSTANTLY MEASURE OUR CLIENTS' SYMPTOM SEVERITY USING RELIABLE, VALID ASSESSMENTS--IF OVER THE COURSE OF TREATMENT, THE CLIENT IS SHOWING IMPROVEMENT, THEN GREAT! BUT IF NOT, THEN WE KNOW WE NEED TO CHANGE DIRECTION AND FIND THE PROTOCOL THAT DOES LEAD TO MEASURABLE PROGRESS FOR THAT CLIENT
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