"Recent studies suggest that talk therapy may be as good as or better than drugs in the treatment of depression, but fewer than half of depressed patients now get such therapy compared with the vast majority 20 years ago."

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/06/health/policy/06doctors.html?hpw

This is an article from The New York Times that helps illuminate the issues faced in giving and obtaining balanced care when taking medications for depression, anxiety, ADHD and other mental health issues. Insurance companies are reimbursing psychiatrists at lower rates, and as a result, many psychiatrists are spending less time with their clients.

Medications alone might help make the issues and challenges easier to cope with, but often it is merely a band-aid or temporary fix. The inclusion of talk therapy in treatment is essential to learning how to manage overwhelming emotions and move forward.

Family Art Group!

Wow, I'm a bad blogger, so I guess it's okay if no one sees this... However, I do work part-time at a wonderful community mental health agency called Friends of Youth, and I will be running a 5-week curriculum-based art group focusing on building communication skills in families using art-making. So spread the word!