About TLI
The Challenge
At one time, therapy was a well-respected profession. The culture of our society understood the value and the nature of the work we did.
But things have changed. Our culture shifted.
We as a society began to want instant gratification and resolutions to our emotional and relational problems.Wall Street got into the act and psychotherapy became something to be “managed” by people (not always clinicians) that knew neither the client or the therapist.
Therapists, partly in an effort to be legitimized and partly in an effort to be paid by insurance companies, accepted the medical model of psychotherapy. Clients are labeled with mental disorder diagnoses for everything from severe mental illness to depression over a breakup.
Pharmaceutical companies with deep pockets are funding research for studies on emotional problems. They find that some drugs do offer symptom reduction. They buy ads on TV. This results in normal, yet shy, people coming into our offices wanting medication for their “social anxiety.”
Therapists are asking each other “Why do I have to convince someone of the value of ‘talk therapy?’”
The Solution
First, as therapists, we must value ourselves. We must review our beliefs about ourselves, including our fees and office policies, and be clear – first to ourselves – of our value. We must understand the value (the art and science) of our work in a way we can easily articulate to the general population. The clearer we are on the value of the work we do- the more we know about the positive outcomes of therapy – the better we will be able to advocate for it. It is time to stand up and be counted. Therapists are as valuable as surgeons. We care for people’s hearts and minds. Let’s let the culture know what we do and the value of psychotherapy. Let’s walk our talk.
Meeting the Need.
The Therapist Leadership Institute is here to serve you. To offer resources, events, and networking to help you enjoy your life and career. Any suggestions and thoughts you have on our mission and ideas how to accomplish it would be very welcome.
In service,
Casey Truffo Founder and Director
