Advocating for Better Mental Health
David Susman, PhD
I’m often asked by friends or acquaintances who are seeking psychotherapy for themselves or a family member if I can suggest a good therapist in our local community. I’m always happy to assist, because I know how important it is to have a good therapist and how it’s often difficult to know how to find one. Since this question comes up so often, I thought it might be helpful to review the 5 steps I share when asked about how …
Having worked for many years with people in various stages of recovery, I’ve seen clearly that there is no one-size-fits-all formula for success. Each person will find some ideas that work well for them while other approaches just don’t. If you ask anyone in recovery from mental illness or substance misuse, “What was the key to your recovery?” you will get a variety of answers. Some will name a trusted friend or loved one who stuck by them, others will …
I’m a clinical psychologist. I first provided therapy to help others way back during the Reagan administration and I worked in a busy public psychiatric hospital for over twenty years. I’ve also taught hundreds of grad students at a large state university how to become excellent therapists. I won’t say I’ve seen or heard it all, but I’ve heard and seen plenty. Suicide attempts, addiction, sexual abuse, and schizophrenia are all part of my daily vocabulary. I’ve been involved in …