| This article appeared in the Meridian Times | | | | they tend to rely moreon pharmaceutical |
| magazine of the | | | | intervention than on counseling. And a |
| Acupuncture Society of New York. | | | | trainedpsychologist (PhD) or psychotherapist |
| Many successful business people admit they aren't | | | | (MSW/CSW) can accuratelyassess the need for |
| skilled in allareas of business - no one can be. But | | | | drug therapy. |
| they focus on doing whatthey do well, and | | | | Medical Doctor: |
| surround themselves with experts in the | | | | Mrs. Compatello came in asking if I could help her |
| otherareas. The same principle applies to healing | | | | with herhypertension. I replied that I would likely |
| arts practice. Ifyou're like me, you didn't come | | | | be able to help, andtook her blood pressure. It |
| into this field with a strongbusiness background. I | | | | was 210/150. She asked again, "Canyou help me?" |
| was a full-time musician. While it'simportant to | | | | I told that that I'd be glad to help her, once |
| develop good practice management skills, and | | | | shereturned from the hospital. I asked her son, |
| bewell-versed in the many aspects of your | | | | who was with her, totake her to the ER, |
| business, you can'tmaster everything. "Many | | | | explaining what would likely happen. Shecalled the |
| hands make light work." It's essentialto gather | | | | next day; her blood pressure was now managed |
| around yourself those who can advise you in key | | | | with anew drug. She made a follow-up |
| areas. | | | | appointment, and we began toaddress the |
| They will make up for your gaps, and provide the | | | | underlying energic imbalance. As acomplementary |
| business andclinical support that a well-rounded | | | | alternative healthcare professional, when you see |
| practitioner relies on. Theycan be broken down | | | | acondition that requires medical attention, you |
| into two teams: | | | | need to refer thepatient to a good physician. |
| Your Professional Team: | | | | Finding a general/family practicedoctor is a good |
| For consultation and referral. | | | | place to start. Specialists can come later. Lookfor |
| This team can be divided into two groups - those | | | | someone that you would go to, who also |
| that areessential and those that are helpful but | | | | supports OBT andcomplementary therapies in |
| not necessary: | | | | general. Patients frequently ask mefor the name |
| Essential: | | | | of an MD who will support, not ridicule, |
| Mentor: All practitioners need a connection with | | | | theirdecision to work with me. |
| someone moreexperienced than they are in their | | | | Helpful |
| field. No one ever outgrowsthe need for a | | | | These are modalities that complement OBT |
| mentor. You consult with this person on | | | | treatment. |
| toughcases, and refer to them patients who are | | | | Acupuncturist, Nutritionist, Herbalist, Chiropractor |
| beyond your level ofskill. | | | | Take your time and choose your professional |
| Psychologist or Psychotherapist: | | | | team carefully. To apatient, how good these |
| All chronic health conditionshave a mental | | | | clinicians are will reflect on you asmuch as on |
| emotional component. While all healing | | | | them. Also, referring a patient to a |
| artspractitioners should learn basic counseling skills, | | | | practitioneroften results in referrals back to you. |
| it is not ourjob to be a client's psychotherapist. | | | | Developing a team ofpractitioners in other fields is |
| For patients whosemental/emotional difficulties are | | | | in keeping with the principlesof wholism. It allows |
| beyond what our empathiclistening and support | | | | you to draw on the vast combined knowledgeof |
| can encompass, we have an ethicalresponsibility to | | | | many other health professionals, and develops an |
| refer them to a good counselor. I | | | | often-lackingsense of community among individual |
| don'trecommend referral to a psychiatrist (MD); | | | | clinicians. |