Less Than 11% of Austin Psychiatrists Practice Psychotherapy!

In a 2011 New York Times article titled Less Talk, More Medicine, the newspaper points out a shocking statistic. Austin, and other psychiatrists nationwide, practice psychotherapy 11 percent of the time, according to the nationwide average. Since the article includes Austin psychiatrists that practice psychotherapy in less than 11 percent of cases, we felt a need to write about these facts. (Article posted here)

Tara Parker-Pope outlines fundamental shifts in the practice of psychiatry away from psychotherapy.  In her article, she quotes a 2005 study showing only 11% of psychiatrists performing psychotherapy.  In the time since her article, I haven’t seen a shift towards reversing this trend and I would, unfortunately, suspect the number of national and Austin psychiatrists actively practicing psychotherapy has decreased since 2011.  At Pondworks we are a clinic that still believes and actively practices both psychotherapy and medication management.   So if you are looking for an Austin psychiatrist and an outpatient psychiatry clinic that still combines these treatments, Pondworks may be a good fit for you 

89 percent do not practice Psychotherapy in Austin

Why Is Practicing Psychotherapy Even That Important?

“Why would I care if my psychiatrist can practice psychotherapy and why is this even important?” you may ask.

My first answer would be talk therapy works often as well as medications.  My second would be research suggests combination medications with talk therapy offers the most powerful benefit.  So if talk therapy is important wouldn’t you want your provider to be able and willing to provide this?  You would want your surgeon to be actively performing a procedure you need…..right?   Why would it be different for your psychiatrist?  If a provider spends little to no time practicing psychotherapy and has had minimal training in the latter, he or she will look to define you through what they practice.  This typically means focusing your problems through the symptom checklist.   If a provider is unable or unwilling to practice the broadening, humanizing aspects that psychotherapy represents, it may become difficult to remember how to integrate a unique life with a treatment plan.     

The Less Talk, More Medicine Approach To Mental Health And The Austin Psychiatrists That Practice Psychotherapy

What about if you have a therapist already and finding an Austin Psychiatrist to provide “Less Talk…and More Medicine” is really what you’re looking for?   Why should you care about your psychiatrist providing therapy?  A valid question certainly, but let me suggest there still benefits in seeking out a  psychotherapy providing psychiatrist.  Here’s my reason why.  Practicing the art of psychotherapy means working towards being an “expert” at forming therapeutically helpful relationships with people. Wouldn’t you rather see someone who is more likely to understand what the work is your doing with your therapist?  This helps them to understand how medication can support therapy and when to communicate with your therapist. 

What Questions You Can Ask Your Austin Psychiatrist To Make Sure They Are Part Of The 11 Percent?

When interviewing myself or a nurse practitioner working with me ask us “Do you schedule weekly psychotherapy sessions with your patients?” and “How many slots do you have set aside on a weekly basis for therapy?”  I would recommend you ask this question of any Austin psychiatrist you would consider seeing.  As I mentioned,  wouldn’t you want your surgeon to be actively performing a procedure you need?   So if you live in Austin and you are in need of a psychiatrist think of Pondworks Psychiatry and Psychotherapy.  If we run out of psychotherapy slots (as we often do…they are in high demand), we hope you will still seek medication treatment with us or another psychotherapy providing Austin psychiatrist. 

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Pondworks Psychiatry & Psychotherapy