| Quack Doctors
Question:
I had asked a question last month and want to thank you for your very helpful response and suggesting that seeing any notable recovery could take up to 6 months or longer.
I would like to ask another question with regard to a Dr.'s analysis. My husband has gone to see a phycologist after filling out a form and bringing him with to the appointment. The doctor charged $120.00 for the visit. Proceeded to ask all of the questions again without ever consulting the questionnaire. After the first half hour of my husband telling the Dr. in question his problems, the Doctor's response was, "This marriage will never work, you can let it drag on if you want or get out of it now. As for being passive aggressive, ALL men who have their own business are passive aggressive"
He then got up and made it obvious that the sage advice had been given and the meeting was over. WHAT KIND OF A QUACK IS THIS? My husband insisted on staying and getting his hours worth and so they went on from there, but I was very upset.
My questions to you are:
1. Can I file a complaint to any higher authority about this fellow?
2. How does one find a therapist who is qualified to individual needs?
3. As the initial visit is sometimes more expensive than subsequent visits, how can one get more information about the doctor before the visit? The doctors don't return phone calls prior to your becoming a patient, its next to impossible to know anyone who has seen him, the staff would never say anything negative even if it was true, and may not know, and... each first visit starts the same way, teell mmmeee allll aaabbbooouuuttt iiiiitttt.........
It feels like such a waste of time. (We have been to several marriage councelors before seeing one who carefully told us that she felt my husband had deeper and more complex problems) We have spent THOUSANDS of dollars and now we're starting again.
Please Help.
Response:
I am sorry to hear about this unfortunate experience. As you know there are all kinds of people in this world.
You can report a professional's conduct or unethical practices to your local state licensing board. Since every mental health professional is licensed, the licensing board of that specific field is the one that takes complaints. You can also report to the group or hospital this professional is associated with. I am including some addresses that might be of help.
You may be able to find the address to your state's licensing board at this address:
http://www.fsmb.org/members.htm
American Psychiatric Association (for psychiatrists only)
1400 K Street N.W., Washington, DC 20005
(888) 357-7924
FAX 202-682-6850
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
(800) 374-2721
(202) 336-5500
You can go a few different ways to find a qualified provider:
- referral by a friend, family member, co-worker
- referral by your insurance company
- referral by your primary care physician, psychiatrist or the staff at
the psych unit of a hospital.
Of course this does not guarantee that you will 'click' with that provider, but it should cut down the chances of coming across 'quacks'.
Since your relationship with a mental health provider is very personal, it is important that you take the time to find one that you feel comfortable with. Sometimes this does involve going to many before finding the one that works for and with you.
As far as I know, most therapists are not adverse to contacting a new client before the first office visit, and will return phone calls... it is in their interest also to build some trust and confidence... if one does not return your call then don't go to that person. Think of it this way... anyone working in this field should have the compassion to care for the client and to allay their concerns, if they can't return a simple phone call, it is already telling you something about them.
It is true that you cannot contact other clients because of confidentiality, etc. This is why it is better to seek one through a referral from someone you know who has worked with that professional, as a client or a co-worker. You might be surprised how candid office staff can be if you express your concerns to them.
It really is very important that you do the research before you put yourself through such aggravation again. Keep looking until you find one that you feel comfortable with.
Now, as far as the doctor's sage advice is concerned: a 'good' professional, even if they see something that is unworkable, does not pass a judgment like that, nor should one make such sweeping generalizations. Their job is to help the client objectively see what is going on in their life, so that the client gets to an
emotional and mental place to make their own decisions. The primary focus is the growth of the client. A good professional does not make decisions and choices for you, with the few exceptions... when a client is endangering their own or someone else's life, then it is the ethical duty of the professional to protect the client.
Good Luck
Regards
Uzma |
