Publication Date

2016

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Study Type

Quantitative

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

Home-based mental health services-Massachusetts, Home-based mental health services for children-Massachusetts, Medicaid beneficiaries-Mental health services-Massachusetts, Psychotherapists-Attitudes, Likert scale, In-home therapy, Home-based family therapy, MassHealth, Clinicians' attitudes

Abstract

This study identifies the attitudes of clinicians providing in-home therapy and related services under the umbrella of MassHealth in Massachusetts. It examines who is doing In-Home Therapy, whether these clinicians (and bachelor’s level providers known as providers of therapeutic training and support) feel adequately prepared to do this work, the kinds of training these clinicians receive, what could be done in order to help them feel more successful, find job satisfaction, and want to continue providing in-home therapy.

Three hundred and four participants completed an online, anonymous survey that collected basic demographic information including gender, age, race, education, professional background, geographic location, and work experience. Participants were required to be at least 18 years of age and be providing in-home therapy or therapeutic training and support services in order to participate. Participants were then asked to rate various expectations on a Likert scale indicating if they agree or disagree with that expectation and to respond to five open-ended questions.

The findings identified that overall participants report high levels of satisfaction related to their work, specifically with regard to the population, families, children, and adolescents, with whom they work. Participants also report issues and challenges in their work. These challenges include training, productivity requirements, safety, and teamwork within their agency. Policy implications of the findings are discussed.

Language

English

Comments

v, 78 pages. M.S.W., Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Ma., 2016. Includes bibliographical references (pages 48-53)

Included in

Social Work Commons

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