Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers have entered their second week of striking. The strike involves psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, and therapists who provide mental health services to Kaiser’s 4.8 million members. The union seeks better staffing levels, pay parity with non-mental health employees, and restoration of pensions. They argue that Southern California still faces severe therapist shortages, causing burnout and high turnover. Meanwhile, Kaiser claims it has invested over $1 billion to improve mental health services.
Adding more therapists alone doesn’t address the deeper systemic issues in mental healthcare, especially when the system itself very often causes harm. While increasing staff might reduce wait times, it doesn’t solve the problem of inadequate, one-size-fits-nobody treatment approaches that fail to meet the complex needs of patients. What’s needed is a fundamental shift in how mental healthcare is delivered—focusing on holistic, patient-centered care that addresses the underlying neurobiological and psychosocial aspects of health, rather than just symptom management.
In an Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB)-informed mental health system, the effects on healthcare workers would be profound, fostering a more sustainable and fulfilling work environment while addressing some of the core challenges they currently face.
Reduced Burnout and Compassion Fatigue: One of the biggest challenges for mental health workers today is burnout, driven by overwhelming caseloads, insufficient time for patient care, and emotional exhaustion from constantly responding to patients’ crises. In an IPNB-informed system, the focus would shift from sheer productivity (e.g., seeing as many patients as possible) to building meaningful, regulated connections with patients. This approach would allow for deeper, more impactful work and give therapists the time and space to engage in co-regulation with their clients. By prioritizing the quality of relationships and healing rather than volume, workers would likely experience less emotional strain and burnout.
More Time for Care and Preparation: The current system often allocates too little time for therapists to adequately prepare for sessions, follow up with patients, or engage in self-care. An IPNB-informed approach would emphasize giving healthcare workers the time needed to develop holistic care plans that address both the neurobiological and relational aspects of their clients’ challenges. This would include not just therapy sessions but time for reflection, research, and collaboration with colleagues and other professionals. As a result, workers would be better equipped to handle complex cases without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
A Shift from Symptom Management to Healing: Workers would no longer be pressured to “fix” patients’ symptoms as quickly as possible but rather to help foster the conditions for long-term healing. In an IPNB model, workers would focus on creating safe, co-regulating environments where clients can gradually recover their nervous system regulation. This shift would likely be more rewarding for mental health professionals, as they could see the deeper impact of their work over time, helping clients not just manage but heal from their distress.
Collaborative and Relational Work Environment: IPNB emphasizes the importance of connection, not just between therapist and patient, but also within the healthcare team itself. Workers would be encouraged to form supportive, co-regulating relationships with their colleagues, reducing the isolation many currently feel in their roles. Collaborative case reviews, peer support systems, and ongoing professional development focused on relational care would help create a more connected, healthy workplace culture.
Trauma-Informed and Regulation-Supportive Training: Workers would receive ongoing education and training in trauma-informed practices and the neurophysiology of stress and healing. This would equip them with the knowledge and tools to better understand their nervous systems, as well as those of their patients. By learning to recognize and manage their stress responses, workers could sustain their energy and emotional well-being over time, reducing the wear-and-tear that many currently experience.
Systemic Advocacy and Role Expansion: Under an IPNB-informed approach, mental health professionals wouldn’t be siloed into the role of individual symptom managers but would also engage in systemic advocacy. This could include addressing the social determinants of mental health, such as poverty, discrimination, and lack of community resources. Workers would feel empowered to be part of broader efforts to create healthier environments for their patients, giving them a sense of purpose beyond individual client care and combating feelings of helplessness in the face of systemic issues.
Increased Job Satisfaction: Shifting away from a purely productivity-driven model and toward one that prioritizes neurobiological regulation, safety, and connection would allow mental health workers to practice in ways that align more deeply with their values. This could lead to higher job satisfaction, as they could see meaningful changes in their clients’ lives without being limited by system-imposed time constraints or inadequate resources. Workers could feel more fulfilled knowing that they are part of a system that truly supports healing at all levels: biological, relational, and social.
By moving towards a more IPNB-informed system, healthcare workers would experience less burnout, have more time to provide quality care, feel more connected to their colleagues, and find deeper fulfillment in their work. This approach would create a healthier, more supportive work environment that recognizes the importance of both patient and provider well-being.
This post includes content generated by ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI. The AI-generated content has been reviewed and edited for accuracy and relevance.
