Like most clinicians I know, I have been concerned throughout my career about those people who have been disenfranchised from receiving help.  When we marginalize one person, we marginalize the whole.  Whether working in the corporate world or in my own counseling business, it has been important to consider how to get the most people covered in ways they are able to access help.

We are living in a time of great transition regarding many things!  For those things hitting closest to home, it is important that we do our best to help mitigate the marginalization of our fellow human beings!  As clinicians it is our ethical responsibility to assist others in connecting to services which will support them in managing their life issues.  One of the ways we are able to do this as clinicians is to make sure we are aware of ways to “Bridge the Gap” between those who have needs for counseling, coaching and/or self-help.  As we move further into telehealth as a viable option for reaching people, we must be more fully aware of what the specific needs are of people.  And then to provide those services in the most cost effective way possible.  This is quite the mission for us clinicians today!

When we consider that there are 7 million people living in rural areas today that have limited accessibility to services as well as a chronic shortage of available professionals in those areas, it is no wonder that we are in a time of great transition.  Beyond that the latest statistics reported that 33 million people still don’t have health insurance.  As clinicians we must do a better job of “Bridging the Gap” by offering options to every person, both the marginalized as well as those of great opportunity.

So I am curious to know in what ways other clinicians are meeting this battle cry to “Bridge the Gap”!  Many of you know about my involvement in two online programs (SubstanceEducation.com and iLookin.com) but you may not have known about two earlier programs I had online.  Both were ahead of their time and, to be quite honest, one was successful to the point I was unable to keep up with the demand (that showed my naivety about both the amount of work an online business takes as well as the reach one has).

Let us as clinicians, in this changing landscape, work to embrace the needs of all humans.  One way to do that is to share what we have to offer to people.  Please share with me what programs you have that are in keeping with these changing times so that my businesses can support and refer to the BEST places which meet peoples’ needs. It is also great to hear from the masses as to what their actual, specific needs are, so get in touch! Here’s to all of our digital rolodexes being over flowing!

“We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.” – Anonymous