This Therapist's Therapy

  Behind the Couch:  Understanding Why Therapists Opt Out of Insurance As a therapist, I've noticed an increase in the number of people who want/need to use their insurance benefits to receive therapy.  And, to be honest, when I first sought out a therapist for myself, I felt the exact same way.   I understand.  Therapy can be a very costly investment.  But that's how you have to think about it - as an investment...in yourself and your mental and emotional well-being. But working as a therapist, I've learned that there are some definite reasons that you may not want to use your inusrance benefits. Let me take a few moments to explain. Insurance Requires a Diagnosis In order to use your insurance for therapy benefits, the insurance company requires that the providing therapist give a diagnosis.  That means that once you enter into therapy using your health insurance benefits, there is a documented record of a mental health diagnosis on file for you.  And that record may stay

  Thinking About Retirement? Raise your hand if you're already thinking abour Retirement?  Yeah, me too!   But not from therapy - I LOVE that job!  Being a therapist is my therapy. Part of my work as a therapist is to help people through various life transitions.  It's one of the things I love best to help people with.  But there's one of life's transitions that often gets overlooked, and that's the transition into retirement.  People are quick to think about or even plan for other life transitions, such as parenthood, empty nest, or career planning, but they forget to think about retirement. Some of you may be approaching this significant milestone, and as you do, it's important to prioritize your mental and emotional health, not just your financial future.  In this blog post, I'll share some insights and tips to help you prepare for a meaningful and fulfilling retirement. Reflect on Your Career It's important to take time to reflect on your own life an

  A Guide To Letting Go of Past Relationships Letting go of past relationships can be a challenging yet essential aspect of personal growth and emotional well-being.  Whether the break up was amicable or filled with heartache, holding onto the past can hinder your ability to embrace new opportunities.  This blog post is written to provide practical tips on how to let go and move forward. Acceptance The first step in letting go of a past relationship is to acknowledge and accept that the relationship is over.  The longer you hold on, the harder it will be to actually let go.  Holding on to the past won't change the present or future.  Instead, embrace the reality of the situation. Refelct & Learn Take some time to reflect on the relationship.  Identify lessons learned and  any personal growth you've experienced.  This reflection is super in helping youl learn.  It's important to understand what went wrong or appreciate and acknowledge the positive aspects, as they can he

  Empty Nest - Now What? Your children are all grown and have moved out and are moving on with their own lives.  The constant influx of people in the house or at the dinner table has disappeared.  The hustle and bustle has died down.  And now you're left with just the two of you. Now it's time to rediscover yourselves as individuals, and maybe even more importantly, as a married couple.  The last several decades or more have been devoted to rearing your children and launching them into adulthood.  But now you find yourself with extra time and maybe extra energy on your hands. Leisure Time Maybe now that all the children's activities and obligations have gone, you find yourself with a lot of extra time.  Instead of dwelling on the absence of your children, focus on things you can now do with that time.  Take a nap.  Read a book.  Learn to cook or bake.  Sign up for some local classes or groups.  Or maybe you need something more practical.  You can do something productive lik

  Tax Time Well, it's that time of year where we start thinking about, or for some of us, worrying about our taxes. We gather all our receipts, W-2's, and spend maybe hours sorting through stuff, inputting numbers into a spreadsheet or tax filing program.  Or maybe we take a box of paperwork to our CPA and wish them the best. But for most people, the months of December through April are stressful, because financial stressors often come to the forecront.  As a Couples Counselor, I recognize that money matters can have a significant impact on the marriage.  In fact, it is one of the most common things that cause marital arguements.  So, how do you manage the tax season with your spouse? Here are some valuable tips to help you and your spouse manage the stress of tax season and maintain a healthy connection. Open Communication     You know, I feel like I write about communication all the time in these posts, and while I don't want to be redundant, communication is probably the

  Shared Child Custody During the Holidays The holidays are supposed to be a fun, festive, and happy time of year.  Children especially look forward to Christmas with all the activities, food and toys.  And, from my perspective, Christmas should be a magical experience for children. However, for families navigating through the complexities of shared custody, it often ends up being a time of sadness, stress, and emotional challenges.  As a Marriage & Family Therapist, and in my many years working in the publich child welfare system, I've witnessed many of the unique dynamics and feelings that come into play during the  holidays. Understanding the Impact Shared custody arrangements require a delicate balance on a normal balance, and moreso during the holidays.  Pehaps this is your first year of share custody and you're not sure how to best manage the holiday season.  There is a need for effective communication and cooperation between the parents. This is where is gets tough,

  Navigating the Seas of Togetherness:  A Therapist's Guide to Vacationing Vacations are a great opportunity for couples to create lasting memories, strengthen their bond, and escape the routine of everyday life.  However, the journey from depautre to return can sometimes be challenging.  As a couples' counselor, I've witnessed common pitfalls and successes. Below are some tips to help couples navigate the seas of togetherness during their vacations Communication is Key As with most things involving couples, open and honest communication is the cornerstone of a healthy relationship.  Prior to going on vacation, a couple should discuss the location and type of vacation they'd like to have.  This may means that each person shares a few location ideas and together, they discuss the pros and cons of each, until they agree.  This may also mean discussing whether the vacation will be a leisurely, relaxing trip, or one full of scheduled activities and tours, or hikes of local