Book Description

Roger Walters begins his career as a psychologist, fresh out of graduate school with a master s degree. His dream throughout college was to work at a state psychiatric hospital, applying newly learned skills to help treat the most severe cases of persons with mental illness. The year is 1973. Willowbrook State Hospital in the Upper Midwest of the U.S. welcomes him as a professional, entry-level, state employee. This large and respected psychiatric hospital dates back into the 1890 s. As his early job progresses, he hears increasing rumors on campus. Sometimes, rather hushed speech and muted sounds come from the other side of closed doors. What is that "something" that is so strange in his contacts with certain hospital personnel? He tries to differentiate hunch from obvious reality and knows a decision must be made. Can he - or even should he - survive in this world of "patient care?" Randall Wehler received a master's degree in clinical psychology in 1973, beginning employment at a state psychiatric hospital where he provided a broad range of psychological services during his thirty four years there. His hospital experience included working with mentally ill patients, chemically dependent persons, maladjusted adolescents, and a geriatric population. The career began when psychotropic medications had largely taken the place of older methods of treatment and patient management such as using straight-jackets, hydrotherapy, lobotomies, and electro-shock. The year 1973 was during an era of popularity in using behavior modification (learning theory-based) techniques, cognitive-based (rational) methods, and an assortment of therapies matched to patient need. During the first decade of his tenure at the state hospital, he became involved in psychological research studies and authored or co-authored seven papers published in professional journals. Retirement from state service occurred in late 2007. He continues as a licensed psychologist."