
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, July 15, 1993                   TAG: 9307150425
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: NORFOLKZ                                 LENGTH: Short

THERAPIST DOUBTS ETHICS OF PSYCHIATRIC TOLL LINE

A toll line offering psychiatric counseling will prey on dependent and inhibited people, letting them running up expensive charges for the service, a therapist said.

"I have my problems with the ethics of 900-telephone services," said Patrick Thrasher of Thrasher Faber Associates, which offers more traditional therapy and counseling.

Starting Monday, the Mental Help Line of First Hospital Corp. can be accessed through a 1-900 number. The $3.99-per-minute fee can be charged to users' telephone bills. The company also will offer a toll-free line that will give patients the option of putting the fees on a credit card.

First Hospital Corp. said its licensed therapists will discourage patients from running up long calls.

- Associated Press

by CNB