A Unique Learning Opportunity

As a component of their high-quality mental health services for patients, MindWork Group offers training opportunities for up-and-coming physicians, psychotherapists, and other mental health professionals.  They likely did not envision offering training to an infectious disease physician who is coming from a 25+ year career in global HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis and making a late-career shift at the CG Jung Institute for Analytic Psychology in Zurich, Switzerland.  However, this is precisely what MindWork Group did, thereby introducing me to top-notch mental health treatment.

I came to pursue analytic psychology training following introduction to the field by a renowned Jungian analyst; Dr. James Hollis.  I learned of Dr. Hollis through his books and met him several times in-person.  Over time, my interest developed to such a degree that in 2025 I enrolled in the CG Jung Institute in Zurich.  This international training program requires that students participate in clinical internships as introduction to mental health diagnosis and treatment.  A fellow physician (a psychiatrist) recommended MindWork Group.  As a credit to their open-mindedness and flexibility, I was accepted for an intensive introduction to mental health practice at their Baltimore practice.

MindWork Group conducts intensive outpatient mental health services, which are offered in a highly personal manner through a multidisciplinary team of dedicated professionals.  Their services and approaches are found on their website.  However, aspects of their work merit further emphasis, based on my first-hand experience.  These include:

Personal attention:  The clinician-patient ratio is uncommonly high, allowing for the development of strong therapeutic relationships.  Clinicians dedicate many hours to a small cohort of patients, and develop a deep understanding of the "full patient".  Conversely, the patients develop trust in the providers and gain from the stable relationships that are created in this intimate therapeutic setting.

Highly-skilled multidisciplinary team working closely together:  The broad array of skilled professionals who work in a highly coordinated manner for the patient benefit is notable.  Each clinician offers patient input and is respected as part of a diverse team, including occupational therapist, art therapist, recreational/physiotherapist, social worker, family therapist, psychotherapist, and psychiatrist.  Under the MindWork Group leadership team, these skills converge in a coordinated and individualized way for patient benefit.  The breadth of such input is a rarity in most clinical settings.

Excellent communication skills in small group settings:  Learning sessions are integral to the range of therapeutic interventions.  All of the clinicians have strong communication skills, and teach practical skills to be called upon during times of mental and emotional challenge.  The small group setting allows for many interactive sessions in which patients have the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and support each other in this safe space.

Prioritizing patient well-being above all:  It is clear through the actions of the MindWork leadership team that their priority is to effectively treat patients with mental health illness, and shepherd the patient’s return to healthy personal and professional life engagement.  If the treatment is at any point not delivering according to its promise, the staff are quick to adjust the treatment approach, engage additional health professionals (e.g. dieticians in the case of eating disorders), and work with families when personal dynamics play a role in the treatment needs.

In my own context, after working in many clinical settings, I found the MindWork Group experience to be exemplary, I daresay unique.  It offers the diversity of skills, high quality care, and individually-adapted approaches to treatment to which every clinical setting should aspire.  "Hats off" to the MindWorkGroup leadership team for creating this personalized mental health treatment opportunity, and my sincere appreciation for inviting me to benefit from their work as a part of my training.