Theravision's pre-therapy orientation CD videos, Healing The Mind and Taking The Mystery Out Of Psychotherapy, enable you to give your clients vital information about the meaning and purpose of a specialty referral for psychotherapy while preserving the most critical tool of your practice: Your Physician-Patient Relationship.

By translating therapy orientation into the medium of video, Theravision provides basic information common to a referral. More importantly it offers the patient an opportunity to hear his or her own fears and questions about the meaning of a referral for psychotherapy voiced by a patient in the film.

Anxiety about the unknown and shame about the implications of an "emotional disorder" prevent clients from following through with a recommendation for psychotherapy. Healing The Mind reassures clients that there are many ordinary symptoms that can be caused or aggravated by emotional distress. This information is presented in a way that emphasizes the positive potential of psychotherapy for relief of their symptoms. Taking The Mystery Out Of Psychotherapy, introduces clients to the world of psychotherapy in a format that allows the viewer to identify emotionally with individuals in a patient role. They see and hear "themselves" being responded to in a positive and supportive manner, learn what the therapist will expect of them, and what they can expect of the therapist. The patient's increased comfort level opens the door for acceptance and satisfaction with the referral, and improves the clinical outcome according to studies in the psychotherapy literature.

Healing the Mind
PHYSICIAN'S OFFICE

After the physician has made a recommendation for referral to a psychotherapist and responded to the patient's initial concerns:
Ask the patient to view the CD for additional information; explain that you will return for further discussion. The patient is likely to be more comfortable watching the video in private rather than the waiting room.
And/or give the CD to the patient to view at home where s/he can play it more than one time and can have other members of the family better understand the reasons for the referral.

PSYCHOTHERAPIST'S OFFICE
For clients referred by physicians who have not previously seen it, or others for whom the video is appropriate:
Ask the patient to view the CD before the initial session. This should improve the reporting of symptoms for diagnostic purposes and reduce anxiety about the impending interview. This can be done in you office on laptop or desktop computer.
Upon referral, send the video to the client to view at home which will provide the same benefits noted above.

Taking the Mystery Out of Psychotherapy

PHYSICIAN'S OFFICE

After a referral, send this inexpensive CD home with them to view on their computer. Understanding what to expect from therapy and what is expected from them will significantly reduce anxiety and improve compliance with the referral.

PSYCHOTHERAPIST'S OFFICE
After completing the paperwork, show this CD before the first session.
After receiving the telephone referral, mail the CD to the CD and have them review it before the first session.

Explains the relationship between emotional problems and
physical symptoms.

Addresses fears about therapy and the meaning of a possible
emotional disorder.

Explains how therapy will be helpful to the patient.

Reinforces the clients confidence and trust in the referral.

Encourages the patient to report the full range of relevant
symptoms.

Prepares the patient for psychotherapy.

Models active participation and self-disclosure.

Demonstrates how clients' can examine their behaviors and
attitudes.

Sets expectations for homework outside the therapy hour.

Affirms the importance of courage and commitment to the therapy
process.

For more information, send an e-mail to Salvatore Cullari

To view samples of these CDs, go here for Healing the Mind and here for Taking the Mystery out of Psychotherapy.