In a telling example of 1990s time-starved living, two psychologists are offering therapy-to-go.
Patients can buckle up and talk about themselves while a chauffeur drives them to or from work, an appointment, the airport or just around the block.Mobile Psychological Services PC has 40 clients, four vans and a staff of six trained in therapies ranging from Gestalt to cognitive behavioral, said one of its founders, Shelly Lenox.
The idea began with Lenox's partner, Ursula Strauss, a New York psychologist who noticed more and more patients missing their regular appointments.
"They were busy executives with an imbalance in their lives toward work rather than recreation and interpersonal life," said Lenox, who had seen a similar trend.
Advertisements in The Wall Street Journal have attracted mostly investment bankers. They tend to share problems that revolve around stress, anxiety, substance abuse and relationships, Lenox said.
Clients tell all in sleek gray Chevy vans fitted with sound-proof, opaque glass between the front seat and the "office." The traditional clock hangs on a wall. A box of tissues adorns a small table between two plush red chairs and a couch. Blinds cover the tinted windows, and curtains provide a homey feel.
Susan Anderson, who has been getting counseling since the business hit the road in April, is the perfect client.
A single mother of two with a fast-paced job as a merchandising director in the apparel industry, she was having problems struggling through a divorce.
"Therapy was important and beneficial, but I didn't have the time anymore," said Anderson, who usually leaves her suburban home at 7 a.m. and returns at 8 p.m.