A primer on referring patients for psychotherapy.

Forty percent of the mental health care in this country is provided by primary care practitioners alone, and another 20% is provided by primary care practitioners working with mental health professionals. Primary care physicians can serve a valuable role by educating their patients about various forms of psychotherapy. Finding a good "fit" between patient and therapist is crucial to a good outcome. We discuss which psychotherapeutic techniques are appropriate for various emotional problems and the advantages and disadvantages of each.