Mental health professionals (psychologists, counselors, social workers, and psychiatrists) work in both public and private settings. These professional’s graduate education includes an abundance of knowledge relating to pathology and related treatments, but lacks the same for gifted and talented individuals. As a society, we must advocate strongly for a major revision and paradigm shift in how programs responsible for training mental health professionals teach the classification and treatment of these individuals. Unless a major shift occurs, they will continue to be misdiagnosed and at high risk for inappropriate treatment, which can cause irreparable harm. The mental health of each gifted and talented individual is extremely important and all mental health professionals must be cognizant of this fact!
