We Need a New Direction

I've written about my exasperation previously in regards to the general belief among most patients that there is a magical pill that will cure their complaint, immediately, with no side effects, and that will be 100% paid for by their insurance (see: A Pill for Everything). 

Then, I come across this. 

From Nutrient Power, by Dr. William Walsh. 

"Psychiatry has made great advances in the past 50 years but needs a new direction. Today's emphasis on prescription psychiatric medications will not stand the test of time [as] benefits usually are partial in nature and involve unpleasant side effects. Medication therapy is more art than science and it involves a considerable amount of trial and error. A fundamental limitation is that psychiatric drugs are foreign molecules that result in an abnormal condition rather than producing normalcy. It is unlikely that psychiatric drugs will ever be universally effective or free of adverse side effects. A new approach is needed."

YES. THIS.

We can do better. I can do better. How do I begin?

Fancy Schools

I’d like to pose this question: How important to you is the education of your clinician?

If your mental health provider attended a well-known, sprawling Division-1 school (i.e. the school I’ve been accepted to: Arizona State University), would you prefer him to a provider who attended a lesser-known, this-place-almost-sounds-made-up university? (i.e., Trinity School of Natural Health to which I’ve also been accepted).

One is astronomically expensive, one is much more affordable.

One’s curriculum would require me to take 5-6 classes I have no interest in; one’s curriculum practically has me salivating over every. single. class. description.

I want to learn about what I’m passionate about so I can be better and do better.

However, I also don’t want to be risky professionally. I read Kelly Brogan, and I think: Wow, she’s got the whole package. What a platform. Who would dare to discount her opinion?

Whereas I’ve always felt that I have to explain my career choice defensively, almost maniacally explaining why I went the nursing school route instead of the medical school route. “No, I’m qualified, really, I promise.” Would having a doctorate from ASU give me a leg up that I might be missing?

And there’s the whole money piece. I don’t want to be selfish with our finances.

So, I am at a bit of a crossroads. I’d love your input!