Despite most having a familiar understanding of mental health, some healthcare professionals routinely stay far away from the therapist’s office. Across the medical field, concerns over privacy, confidentiality, and sheer embarrassment have been shown to be some of the most frequently cited deterrents to therapy.
At Marvin, we hear a lot about a lack of time to find a therapist, cost and applicability of insurance coverage, and the age-old struggle of trying to find a therapist who feels like the right “fit.”
We believe in the power of therapy for all who seek it—especially for healthcare professionals. We also believe that the first step to instituting change is to understand and empathize with our clients’ experiences. Here’s what we know are common reasons why healthcare professionals may avoid addressing their own mental health needs:
Stigma and Professional Perceptions
Even within the healthcare industry, stigma around mental health persists. For many doctors and nurses, admitting to needing therapy can feel like an acknowledgment of weakness or incompetence, which can lead to insecurity about their overall professional reputation.
Many healthcare professionals worry that seeking therapy might be seen as a sign that they cannot handle the pressures of their job, which can be particularly detrimental in a field where competence and resilience are highly valued.
Misconceptions About Therapy in General
Is therapy forever? Is therapy different from counseling? Does going to therapy indicate you are experiencing a mental disorder? If you sign up for therapy without a diagnosis, are you taking precious time away from someone who “actually needs it”?
There are many misconceptions about therapy—a primary of which is that therapy is only for people with severe mental illness or those who are in a deep crisis. This is not true, yet many healthcare professionals hold tight to this paradigm.
Because the topic of “burnout” is only just starting to be discussed as a mental health concern, many people (including healthcare workers) don’t identify their daily stressors as a prompt for therapy. Instead, they tend to believe that given their medical training and knowledge, they should be able to manage these issues on their own.
Concerns About Confidentiality
There is a common concern that if a healthcare professional goes to therapy that their participation will somehow become public or known within professional circles. Understandably, healthcare professionals have concerns over their own clinical reputation and perceived competence; some believe that attending therapy could jeopardize such credence.And while it is normal to have such concerns, it is important to recognize that the entire premise of mental health therapy is contingent on an unwavering commitment to confidentiality.* The clinical approach requires confidentiality to be effective.
Therefore, licensed professionals are beholden by laws and ethics boards to maintain confidentiality. This not only applies to whatever is discussed in session, but also in confirming or denying participation altogether. Licensed therapists cannot publicly or privately confirm or deny a client’s participation in therapy without the client’s consent. Even if a client themselves openly acknowledges that they are in therapy, the therapist cannot endorse such a reality without consent.
(This mandate is far-reaching; without consent, therapists cannot reply to clients who complain about therapists through online platforms like Yelp. If a therapist runs into a client at a grocery store, for example, the licensed therapist cannot—and will not—acknowledge the client without the client doing so first).
Then, of course, there’s the concern that an employer (who often provides access to therapy programs) will discover that one of their employees is in therapy. At Marvin, we ensure that absolutely no data about you or your participation in therapy is ever routed back to your employer. All sessions are confidential, HIPAA-compliant and end-to-end encrypted with absolutely no personally identifiable data reporting back to your employer.
*Importantly, there are some limits to confidentiality in terms of self-harm, harm to others, and abuse reporting. Before treatment, therapists make such limits clear to clients through a process of informed consent.
Financial Considerations + Insurance Coverage
Even when someone is interested in pursuing therapy, the issues of “How much does it cost per hour?” and “Will my insurance cover it?” invariably arise. Given that consistency is emphasized for overall efficacy, prospective patients can feel that the financial aspect of therapy is a total non-starter. There is also concern that high-quality therapists are always out of network, while less effective therapists will be covered by insurance, which can be a large deterrent.
Lack of Time and Scheduling Challenges
For many healthcare professionals, lack of time is the first and foremost concern. Adding or modifying a weekly schedule can cause a cascade of complications; a healthcare professional’s schedule is somehow both rigid and entirely fluid.
Long hours, irregular shifts, and on-call responsibilities can make it difficult to commit to regular therapy sessions. The idea of squeezing therapy into an already hectic schedule can feel overwhelming and impractical.
The good news is that Marvin is built to accommodate the chaos of healthcare schedules. Unlike traditional providers, Marvin offers appointments at all hours of the day.
Where to Go From Here
We assume that because healthcare professionals are helping us through some of our most challenging crises, that they, themselves, have access to some of the best healthcare when they need it. However, many healthcare workers don’t realize the impact of daily stressors on their mental health. Recognizing and understanding these obstacles is crucial in creating a supportive environment that encourages healthcare workers to seek the help they need. By fostering a culture of acceptance and prioritizing mental health, we can ensure that those who care for others also receive the care they deserve.
To take the next step in your mental health journey, sign up for Marvin.