Interface Consultation Services, PLLC

Can't Sleep? Me either!

Stronger label warnings for Psychostimulants (drugs used in the treatment of ADHD)? The consensus move by the Food and Drug Administration's pediatric advisory committee leaves in doubt whether the agency will require the so-called "black-box" labels on the drugs, which include Ritalin . The panel, in simply recommending easier-to-understand language on the labels, broke with another committee that had recommended last month that the drugs include the more dire warnings. There were over 90 studies indicating symptoms of visual and tactile hallucinations in children after starting these medications as well as studies indicating the possible risk to the cardiovascular system. These concerns would seem logical for this class of drugs, stimulants. There seems to have been different points of view about the dangers of these medications and the research presented. Last month a FDA committee proposed the use of the strongest labeling. For now there will be an easier -to- und...

What is it to feel the heart...to know the self? To know the feelings of light, love and emotion with intensity? Shaking, furry, running with fear Oh, little rabbit you are there Acceptance in motion Noticing and moving with the wind Like a kite in a wind storm You will find me Pacing and prowling for the right moment Oh, sly coyote you are there Ever moving...never ending The elixir of being...feeling... Emotions is the energy of life

Much is written of late with regard to focusing on and promoting a “person-centered” approach to mental health and counseling treatment. Person-centered treatment planning has gained momentum mostly in the community mental health industry where federal and state funding for services influences treatment policy and procedure. Consequently, oversight and strict monitoring by governmental agencies guides or directs the treatment philosophies and service guidelines. But as with all rules and policies, individual or agency interpretation has a way of defining the actual implementation of treatment services and to that end the concept of “person-centered planning” has taken on what is more akin to a “person-directed” treatment process; that interpretation, we’re sure, was not the original intention. In addition to these policy and procedure influences, the general lay person is exposed to more and varied information about mental illness. Television shows about mental illness, pharmaceutical ...

As the general population becomes increasingly exposed to and educated about mental illness and options for treatment, as professionals we are seeing both a lessening of the stigma around mental health as well as an increase in "self-diagnosing" of psychological disorders. For so many years, mental illness was viewed with negativity, apprehension and misconception. In more recent years, there has been a greater understanding and acceptance that people do indeed suffer from emotional and psychological illness and this awareness has opened doors for those in need of professional treatment services. This is a good thing. Unfortunately, like with anything, there does exist an upside and a downside. The downside, of more available information on mental illness and mental health, is the phenomenon of self-diagnosing. “I am Bipolar”, “I am ADHD”, “my child is schizophrenic”, “and my child is schizophrenia, bipolar and ADHD”. This is not uncommon. We do believe it is human nature to...

Loyalty is dead, the experts proclaim, and the statistics seem to bear them out. On average, U.S. corporations now lose half their customers in five years, half their employees in four, and half their investors in less than one. We seem to face a future in which the only business relationships will be opportunistic transactions between virtual strangers. FREDERICK F. REICHHELD, The Loyalty Effect Making connections, nurturing those relationships, valuing others, communicating appreciation, and relationship investing long-term are key elements to mutually rewarding and successful relationships both in business and personal life. We believe that loyalty is earned and based on an ongoing commitment of mutual respect, trust and value of one another’s strengths and contributions to the relationship. Our beliefs about loyalty personally or in business may seem outdated but values are just that. Values! Principl...

Discussions about the crisis in health care in our society occur frequently. Many people struggle with being uninsured or underinsured. The premiums continue to increase which in turn increases the pool of consumers who are uninsured. How often do you hear noise about behavioral health care? As of December 2001, all states accept Alaska and Wyoming had some percentage of Medicaid Managed Care for medicaid recipients. The insurance enrollees in managed carebeen steadily increasing since then, both in the commerical and public insurance sector. How do you get what your clients need from behavioral managed care companies? What about liability? What if clients don't get the care that they need and something tragic happens? Will I feel responsible and will I be liable? The best defense is a good offense! The best protection against liability is experience, training in high risk suicide assessment and other high risk situations (knowing the profile of the suicide completer, know the pro...