Psychotherapists in the HMO

Managed care is becoming a significant force shaping the development of contemporary mental health treatment. In order to understand how the HMO affects practice style, 294 psychotherapists (psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and others) responded to objective and open-ended questions about psychotherapy models, psychotherapy orientation, practice habits, quality of work, work conditions, stresses, burnout and its prevention, graduate training, evolution of practice style and the development of self as a person. A tentative "composite sketch" of the typical HMO therapist is developed. Practical applications of the findings are discussed, and advice and recommendations are offered to the beginning HMO therapist.