At PCH, we prefer to put names and faces to the philosophy guiding our approach whenever possible. To better accomplish that, we will begin sharing the firsthand perspectives of the people behind our treatment programs with monthly staff interviews.

Read more of our conversation with Individual and Group Therapist, Richard Gilbert, PhD., and the eight questions about his guiding philosophy and principles.

1. What does “mental health” mean to you?

Resilience in the face of stress; Mental and Emotional Flexibility; Capacity for Form and Maintain Close Relationships; Ability to Exercise one’s talents and master aspects of the world.

2. What’s your favorite mental health or well being quote?

And so we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly to the past.

3. How would you describe PCH Treatment Center to a family or friend in need?

One of the best intensive outpatient therapy program the country, filled with therapeutic talent and a caring, personal, and humanistic approach to mental health.

4. What inspires you most at PCH?

Working together on complex cases with talented and committed colleagues

5. What’s your top three favorite movies?

American Beauty; The Celebration; The Five Obstructions; The Dark Knight; many others…I’m a movie lover.

6. How have you coped with Covid in the last few years?

Streaming media!

7. What’s your favorite modality of treatment and why?

Psychodynamic in theory, humanistic in my approach to clients and people, and ACT as a series of change techniques.

8. If you can invite anyone alive or no longer living to your dinner party, who would you invite and why?

Ray Kurzweil