Personal Growth. Clients receiving services from a provider who contracts with a managed care plan generally receive ultra-brief "crisis counseling. " Some managed care companies even provide a standardized template that instructs therapists "how to treat" specific problems. Their only goal is to return the client to his or her prior level of functioning (i.e., symptom reduction). If you wish to achieve a deeper understanding of how your problem developed, to make lasting changes in your life and stop repeating dysfunctional behavior patterns, then you will be better off purchasing psychotherapy from an independent provider. You and your therapist create the goals for therapy and have total control over the processes used to reach these goals. Excellent mental health services can help you overcome living problems, resolve relationship struggles, become more productive on your job and improve your physical and spiritual health. In this era of overly managed care, my advice is that you find the best professional for the job, and then negotiate a fee acceptable to both you and the therapist. There should be no substitute for quality.
