Nontraditionally Trained Women as Mental Health Counselors/Psychotherapists

Abstract

Among a number of mental health needs is that of additional manpower for providing traditional counseling/psychotherapeutic services. An intramural NIMH pilot training program, conducted by Rioch, aimed at this problem through the training of mature, bright, socially sensitive women who had raised families of their own. The women so trained have been employed in various mental health settings over the past three years. The results of this program have been under continuous study during this three‐year period. Methods of study have included inventories, tapes, and ratings. Considerable weight was given to evaluations by supervisors and by co‐workers in the various agencies. The results indicate these women to be providing quite creditable professional counseling and psychotherapy. The implications for mental health manpower are numerous and are discussed at some length.