A substantial portion of individuals with anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems do not seek the help they need. Family and friends struggle to understand why, especially when the disorder negatively impacts their lives. They may wrongfully conclude the treatment refuser is willfully choosing to be impaired, which can lead to counterproductive reactions and result in family conflict.
Our team recently published a book entitled, When a Loved One Won’t Seek Mental Health Treatment: How to Promote Recovery and Reclaim Your Family’s Well-Being (Pollard et al., 2024). The Family Well-Being Approach (FWBA) explains why some people behavior in ways that are incompatible with recovery (recovery avoidance) and offer suggestions for how to respond constructively. The book is designed for direct use by affected family members; however, families are also encouraged to consult with therapists when they need additional guidance. Therefore, therapist training was developed to help families dealing with recovery avoidance using a 5-step process to improve overall family well-being.
Objectives:
Instructor
Melanie VanDyke, PhD
Melanie VanDyke earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 2002 and has extensive experience in evidence-based treatments for anxiety-related disorders, including OCD, hoarding, social anxiety, BDD, and Tourette syndrome. She also treats people who are struggling with depression, emotional regulation, and interpersonal difficulties. Dr. VanDyke assesses and treats individuals and their families, and she enjoys being an active professional psychologist. She is the Chair of the Evidence-Based Practice committee at Missouri Psychological Association (MOPA). Dr. VanDyke has presented on how to help families who are struggling with a loved one who refuses to seek mental health care to enthusiastic, national audiences of clinicians and families alike.
Dr. VanDyke works to make treatment information accessible. She has contributed to online resources for consumers and published her treatment research in professional journals, including her work with families of treatment refusers. She enjoys helping students at various levels of training learn more about culturally-responsive, evidence-based treatments. Dr. VanDyke has previously served as the Director of Postdoctoral Education, an Associate Professor, and an interprofessional educator for students in healthcare professions. She was awarded Psychologist of the Year from the Missouri Psychological Association and earned Special Recognition as an active member of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America’s (ADAA) Public Education Committee.
Publishing links to purchase When a Loved One Won’t Seek Mental Health Treatment:
Below are purchase links you can share:
Bookshop (supports indie bookstores): https://bookshop.org/p/books/when-a-loved-one-won-t-seek-mental-health-treatment-how-to-maintain-your-own-well-being-while-helping-others-c-alec-pollard/20238693?ean=9781648483134
New Harbinger website:https://www.newharbinger.com/9781648483134/when-a-loved-one-wont-seek-mental-health-treatment/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/When-Loved-Mental-Health-Treatment/dp/1648483135
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-a-loved-one-wont-seek-mental-health-treatment-c-alec-pollard-phd/1143879287