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New roles for new-professional mental health workers: Training the patient advocate, the integrator, and the therapist

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Abstract

This article describes the conceptualization, development, and implementation of a Veterans Administration neuropsychiatric hospital-based human services worker (new-professional) training program. The program involves an experientially heterogeneous group of 16 trainees whose practical and academic training will he centered around the veteran psychiatric patient and the community with which he is in contact. Four principal roles of this new professional are emphasized: (1) patient advocate, (2) longitudinal contact person for patients from hospital admission to posthospitalization community adjustment, (3) integrator of the patient's ongoing treatment process and experiences, and (4) cross-disciplinary worker who under supervision relieves existing professionals of the less specialized portions of their workload.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Affiliated Program, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, P.O. Box 54700, 90054, Los Angeles, California

    Gary S. Felton Ph.D. (Coordinator of Allied Health)

  2. Allied Health Service Education Section, Brentwood Veterans Administration Hospital, USA

    Howard F. Wallach M.D. (Chief) &  Charla L. Gallo B.A. (Staff Assistant)

Authors
  1. Gary S. Felton Ph.D.
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  2. Howard F. Wallach M.D.
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  3. Charla L. Gallo B.A.
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Additional information

He formerly was Coordinator, Human Services Worker Training Program, Brentwood Veterans Administration Hospital, Los Angeles, California.

This program is supported by the Education Service, Veterans Administration Central Office, Washington, D.C.

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Felton, G.S., Wallach, H.F. & Gallo, C.L. New roles for new-professional mental health workers: Training the patient advocate, the integrator, and the therapist. Community Ment Health J 10, 52–65 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01434570

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