Peter's Letter

The Honorable Brian P. Wallace
State House
Room 472
Boston, MA 02133

Dear Representative:

I am a consumer of psychotherapy and as such am deeply concerned about House Bill H203, "An Act to Protect Psychotherapy Patients." I spoke with your Administrative Aide Kimberly on the phone today, and I am putting my thoughts on paper for your consideration.

The act would do the exact opposite of its stated purpose for the following reasons:

1. The act is too restrictive. It would exclude the many valuable psychotherapeutic alternatives now available to the consumer.

2. In this time of great need for mental health services, the number of available providers would be reduced by this act.

3. The act would put many earnest, conscientious, experienced, well-trained and helpful psychotherapists out of business.

4. Licensing would not guarantee the quality of psychotherapy because the field has no commonly accepted standard of care, either in theory or in practice.

5. My wife and I have been strengthened as individuals and as a couple by therapists, who though not licensed, are well-trained, experienced, warm, and loving human beings.

6. Therapy I have received from licensed therapists was not as helpful as what I am now receiving.

As a mental health therapist working on a locked psychiatric unit at Whidden Hospital, I am deeply aware of the need for therapists with a variety of personalities and interests. I am also aware of the need to protect patients from incompetent, manipulative care-providers, but this bill is not the way to meet that goal. The public can be protected from fraudulent providers by means other than H203.

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter, and I urge you to argue against H203.

Sincerely,
Peter