Office Hours to Call Times: Your Clinical Practice vs. Your Presence as a Mental Health Coordinator

In the evolving landscape of film and stage mental health support, many therapists will feel inspired to step in and offer these services. While both clinical therapy and Mental Health Coordination prioritize well-being, they differ significantly in structure, authority, and approach.

The transition from traditional private therapy practice to the dynamic production setting will require a significant mind shift for mental health professionals. This guide outlines key distinctions to help you better define your scope of practice and transition effectively between these roles.

At a glance...

	Private Therapy Practice	Mental Health Coordinator on Set
Setting	Controlled, consistent office space designed for therapy	Dynamic production environment with varying privacy levels
Schedule	Regular, predetermined appointment times	Production-driven schedule, often requiring on-call availability
Confidentiality	Clear clinical boundaries, protected by HIPAA/licensure laws	Production protocols, shared with relevant department heads when necessary
Pace	Deliberate, client-centered timeline	Fast-paced, production-driven timeline with project deadlines
Relationship with Client	Formal therapeutic alliance with clear boundaries	Resource provider with collaborative, supportive relationship to cast/crew
Documentation	Clinical notes, treatment plans, formal diagnosis when appropriate	Incident reports, resource documentation, protocol implementation records
Duration	Ongoing therapeutic relationships with undefined end date	Project-based engagement tied to production timeline
Goal	Individual healing and personal growth through clinical intervention	Production-wide wellbeing and preventative support

While your clinical expertise is a valuable asset, stepping into the role of a Mental Health Coordinator also requires a deep understanding of the production environment. Recognizing the distinctions between these roles will help you define your position within a production, set realistic expectations, and adhere to industry protocols. By embracing this shift, you can contribute meaningfully to both individual well-being and the overall mental health of the creative community.

Learn more at AssociationMHC.com/Training