Time for a mental health checkup?(LETTERFROMTHEEDITOR)

The image of the trusted family doctor, toting black bag and reassuring demeanor, rests as far from today's reality as the washtub and the icebox. But the notion that the mental health community someday could put a fresh spin on an old idea gave me hope during an otherwise gloomy conversation about salaries.

As part of our work to compile this issue's special report on compensation trends in behavioral health (see page x), I interviewed three officials with PsychTemps, Inc., a leader in staffing solutions for the field. There were few silver linings in their assessment of salaries and benefits for most titles. One of the officials said that today's typical placements …