WEBVTT
00:00:15.039 --> 00:00:16.480
Yo, yo, yo.
00:00:19.519 --> 00:00:21.280
What's good, what's good, what's good.
00:00:21.359 --> 00:00:22.640
Hey everyone.
00:00:23.120 --> 00:00:30.559
I am excited to be joining you again with um number two.
00:00:31.039 --> 00:00:38.560
Number two, um, our second topic of the miniseries of um how to therapy.
00:00:38.640 --> 00:00:40.000
So thank you for joining in.
00:00:40.079 --> 00:00:42.799
Um again, my name is Brianna Williams MS.
00:00:43.280 --> 00:00:57.439
Um, and if you haven't, um definitely uh go to the first episode and really just uh dive in to get to know a little bit about me, get to a little bit of get to know a little bit about my story, um, and things like that.
00:00:57.600 --> 00:01:00.159
So that way you can be connected with me.
00:01:00.320 --> 00:01:04.319
I definitely love to be connected with my followers and my viewers and my listeners.
00:01:04.480 --> 00:01:13.439
So please, please, please, definitely if you have questions, um, or even just comments, anything, you can feel free to message me.
00:01:13.519 --> 00:01:23.280
You can feel free to DM me on Instagram at Reaches Minds, or you could just shoot me um a message um via the link that's in the um podcast description.
00:01:23.599 --> 00:01:25.680
So let's dive right into it.
00:01:25.840 --> 00:01:37.439
So last week, last podcast, we talked about um being a black woman therapist, um, really just giving you my my story.
00:01:37.599 --> 00:01:51.359
Um, and we also talked about um just the disparity in in numbers when it comes to black therapists as well as um black Americans that are um being treated for mental health.
00:01:51.519 --> 00:02:00.000
Um, we talked about the many different barriers and things like that, but today I kind of want to dive into how do you search for a therapist?
00:02:00.480 --> 00:02:13.039
Um, a lot of times we have this extensive list, we have all these extensive like processes, um, just all the different running around, and that can be discouraging.
00:02:13.199 --> 00:02:14.639
That can definitely be discouraging.
00:02:14.800 --> 00:02:22.960
So, I definitely want to answer some questions that um some people have when they first start looking for a therapist.
00:02:23.120 --> 00:02:26.159
So um let's dive right in.
00:02:26.319 --> 00:02:27.759
We ain't gonna waste no time.
00:02:28.240 --> 00:02:32.960
Um, so the first thing you want to ask yourself is what can I afford?
00:02:33.520 --> 00:02:45.120
So unfortunately, um the mental health care system is not like our you know our medical um and our physical health care system.
00:02:45.199 --> 00:02:46.879
It's it's totally different.
00:02:47.120 --> 00:02:48.879
Um, the costs are different.
00:02:49.039 --> 00:02:52.240
Um, how much insurance covers is is very different.
00:02:52.479 --> 00:03:02.319
So you want to definitely be mindful um of the cost before like committing to make sure that you are able to be consistent.
00:03:02.479 --> 00:03:04.800
Um, so there are two options, right?
00:03:05.039 --> 00:03:14.319
There's self-pay, which that's you pay out of pocket, you know, whatever the cost is of that therapist, you just pay their their flat rate.
00:03:14.960 --> 00:03:17.759
Um, and then there's also insurance.
00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:21.919
Um, now some insurance they were they'll cover the whole session, right?
00:03:22.159 --> 00:03:24.240
Um, but that's very rare.
00:03:24.479 --> 00:03:27.520
Um, with other insurances, there are co-pays.
00:03:27.680 --> 00:03:32.639
So definitely, even if you're using insurance, you want to make sure you know your copay up front.
00:03:32.800 --> 00:03:36.719
So that way um you're able to kind of budget out your money.
00:03:36.879 --> 00:03:49.280
So you can definitely ask your insurance, you can definitely ask even the practice to kind of see okay, what is the copay gonna look like if I commit to coming to you guys for therapy?
00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:55.759
Um, so that's how you pay for therapy, basically.
00:03:56.080 --> 00:03:58.080
So, really just look into the numbers.
00:03:58.240 --> 00:04:10.479
Um, I know that can seem stressful, that can seem um very mundane, but it's helpful to know up front so that way you're not blindsided by any um any extra cost that may pop up.
00:04:10.639 --> 00:04:14.560
So you want to just make sure that you're informed um through that process.
00:04:14.639 --> 00:04:36.800
And again, you can ask your insurance company, you could ask the um company directly, um depending on like where you're going to therapy at, just ask their billing department, and they can sit down with you and actually explain the cost to you so that way you know what you're getting into before you begin services, and that will help um you be able to maintain those services as well.
00:04:38.240 --> 00:04:47.120
Um another thing that you want to really look at and know is what your options are.
00:04:47.680 --> 00:04:58.000
So within the the field, there are different ways that you can receive um therapy, different platforms, different um practices, and things like that.
00:04:58.160 --> 00:05:02.079
So one of them is um private private practice.
00:05:02.319 --> 00:05:10.000
Um, private practice, they are usually um self-pay, and sometimes they do also take insurance.
00:05:10.160 --> 00:05:15.199
Um, however, it won't be like government assistance short insurance.
00:05:15.439 --> 00:05:25.199
So um it you may have uh you may use insurance um for, but they may not have uh your specific insurance.
00:05:25.360 --> 00:05:29.199
So the insurance options are very limited, is what I'm trying to say.
00:05:29.279 --> 00:05:49.839
Um so that's something that you can definitely look into when you're looking at their practice, um, when you're looking at uh even a particular therapist and seeing like you know who they're affiliated with, who they take their funding by, um, and to see if your insurance fits with that, or again, if you're willing to pay that self-pay cost.
00:05:50.480 --> 00:05:53.199
Um, there's also community practice.
00:05:53.360 --> 00:06:04.000
Um, so this is typically um those practices that you can kind of uh get through through your insurance um as well as like Medicaid.
00:06:04.399 --> 00:06:12.639
Um, you just call your insurance company up um and they'll be able to assist you in what is in your network.
00:06:13.040 --> 00:06:19.199
Um, with these, the pickings of mental health therapists are slim.
00:06:19.360 --> 00:06:20.399
Um, just a warning.
00:06:20.560 --> 00:06:22.399
It's not that it's bad, right?
00:06:22.480 --> 00:06:42.639
It's not that it is um that you're not going to receive the best help, but um it can be uh an even greater process as far as finding the right therapist through a uh through using um like Medicaid insurance, unfortunately.
00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:55.040
Um but definitely don't let that discourage you, but keep that in mind as we keep continuing to go through um just how to find the right therapist for yourself.
00:06:55.600 --> 00:07:23.360
Um and then there's also um et-based therapy, so there's different online um therapy companies, um, especially since like COVID is getting really big, um, like ThriveWorks, uh BetterHelp, um Grow Therapy, um, all these things are out here that they allow you to have access to different therapists that are out there.
00:07:23.519 --> 00:07:28.160
Um, they allow you to use insurance um as well as like Medicaid insurance.
00:07:28.240 --> 00:07:31.839
So definitely, you know, you can check that out, you can filter that.
00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:40.240
Um, and they allow you to see like the specific therapist that you will that you and pick the specific therapist that you will want to work with.
00:07:40.560 --> 00:07:50.160
So as far as like uh when it comes to like community practice, you're usually um assigned a therapist that they have on their staff already.
00:07:50.399 --> 00:08:04.399
Um but that doesn't mean that you can't change the therapist, or that doesn't mean you can't go on their site and say, hey, I want so-and-so to be my therapist, and depending on their availability and their caseload, they can take you in.
00:08:04.639 --> 00:08:24.319
Um but it's more definitely more flexibility when you are going with um let's say private practice or you're going with an at-based therapy um practice, um, you're able to really solidify who you're gonna get and really um have control over um that picking.
00:08:25.040 --> 00:08:30.639
And then there's also our last um option is employee assistance program.
00:08:31.040 --> 00:08:34.879
Now, this right here, um, for sure, it's called EAP.
00:08:35.120 --> 00:08:37.919
Um, and this is funded through your job.
00:08:38.159 --> 00:08:53.279
So not all not all companies, you know, have this access to their employees, but definitely I would say check, check with your employer, see if they have this um this free service.
00:08:53.440 --> 00:09:02.480
So basically you'll get about like 10 sessions, I believe it is, and you'll be able to work with a therapist um for free.
00:09:02.559 --> 00:09:08.399
Your job will cover those sessions, and if you want to continue with that therapist, then again it's up to you to pay that cost.
00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:17.039
So wherever it's if it's self-pay, if it's insurance, if it's insurance with a copay, you know, making sure that you know you can you can pay that as well.
00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:36.240
Um, but if you need something, this is really good for um those who need like immediate assistance, immediate mental health treatment, um, and don't really have like the funds to um do some of those other options that I mentioned um previously.
00:09:36.480 --> 00:09:40.399
So definitely like talk to your employer, see if they have this option.
00:09:40.559 --> 00:09:53.679
If you're like, listen, I want to get started, I want to at least get my feet wet to kind of see what therapy is like, you know, before really like committing and and having like this this self-pay or having um this other bill with copay.
00:09:54.080 --> 00:09:56.480
I just want to kind of just fill things out.
00:09:56.639 --> 00:10:00.159
So definitely that's a good way to also jump into it.
00:10:00.320 --> 00:10:05.279
Um, again, it's kind of like with uh community practice.
00:10:05.440 --> 00:10:13.360
Um, you won't sometimes you won't be able to really have control over what therapist is assigned to you.
00:10:13.679 --> 00:10:32.399
So definitely like um just making sure that you know, like um when it comes to private practice and at-based therapy, um, you're definitely going to have more um autonomy up front of the the therapist that you that you would like to work with.
00:10:32.720 --> 00:10:37.279
But also you can use your voice, which we're we're going to continue to talk about.
00:10:37.440 --> 00:10:58.320
You can use your voice in in order to advocate for um another therapist or even a particular therapist, whether even it be in community practice um or EAP, you can always say, you know what, no, I I want a different therapist, um, and stay with that that company.
00:10:59.840 --> 00:11:06.000
And then last thing, um, you want to know what your goals are for therapy.
00:11:06.720 --> 00:11:20.480
And now this is important because not every therapist can um treat or has the skills um for your situation and for what you're dealing with.
00:11:20.639 --> 00:11:26.000
So really you want to sit down and you want to identify what is it that I'm looking for.
00:11:26.320 --> 00:11:29.279
You want to identify what is it that I'm struggling with.
00:11:29.440 --> 00:11:44.720
Maybe it is trauma, and trauma can look like you know, you grew up in a in a two-parent household, and then your parents got divorced, um, and that kind of that turmoil kind of um affected you.
00:11:45.200 --> 00:12:06.559
Or maybe you had an incident with domestic violence, or you witnessed domestic violence, or you know, uh you were in a car accident, um uh you witnessed uh a gunshot and or experienced a gunshot or had death, you know, go on, and so on and so on.
00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:10.240
Um maybe you're going through a season of depression.
00:12:10.559 --> 00:12:28.080
Maybe you are going through losing a loved one, or going through losing a baby, or just not feeling like yourself these days, kind of feeling lost in the world, or feeling like you are um just really struggling um to find the motivation.
00:12:28.320 --> 00:12:34.720
Um maybe you just need help with goals, with with goal setting, and trying to plan your life out.
00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:41.279
Maybe you're in a stage where you're in this rocky transition and you're trying to figure out, you know, what is next for me?
00:12:41.519 --> 00:12:47.279
What do I have um to give or to offer or what do I want to do with my life?
00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:50.320
Um and so on and so on.
00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:54.559
So really sitting down and saying, what do I want?
00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:57.679
What do I want out of this?
00:12:58.240 --> 00:13:12.559
Um, and so that way it will help you look when you are looking for even like even at the practice, maybe you can't see the specific therapist on the site, but you can see what the practice um specializes in.
00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:21.519
Does it does the practice specialize in ADHD ADHD or OCD or depression or anxiety?
00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:24.799
Does it specialize in working with kids?
00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:26.639
You need somebody for your kid.
00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:30.399
Um, does it specialize with working with teens or trouble youth?
00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:36.559
Or um does it specialize in working with college students or you know, seniors, things like that?
00:13:36.720 --> 00:13:41.679
So you want to really do a deep dive and really research these things.
00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:45.519
And I know that can seem like a lot.
00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:55.919
That can seem like homework, that can seem just um just very stressful.
00:13:56.799 --> 00:14:11.600
But if you do all these things up front, it will definitely help in aiding um in aiding you to find the right therapist for you, and and not saying that you do all these things right and you're gonna find the right therapist right off the bat, right?
00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:20.000
That therapist is gonna be perfect, they're gonna know everything, they're gonna be able to give you what you need, all these different things.
00:14:20.320 --> 00:14:24.080
Not saying that, but your chances are definitely better.
00:14:25.200 --> 00:14:36.559
And maybe like it may be that the therapist might be good for that season, but you know, as you continue to progress, you know, for other seasons, they might not be good in that season, and that's okay.
00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:42.159
But definitely you want to be able to set yourself up for some success.
00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:44.480
And so definitely do your research.
00:14:44.720 --> 00:15:12.960
Um ask people if you know people that's in the field, or if you know people that are already in therapy, um, if you know people that that know other people that have been in therapy, and you know, you want to get their experience and or how they found their therapists or what they like about their therapist, because sometimes we don't know, you know, what should I be expecting, what should I, you know, be looking for, or you know, what should catch my eye, and things like that.
00:15:13.039 --> 00:15:17.600
So definitely um talk to others, talk to others.
00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:25.600
Um, and if you know you do all this research and you're still like struggling, you can also ask your primary care physician.
00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:35.120
Your primary care physician can also help you out when it comes to um pointing you in a direct right direction for therapists.
00:15:35.440 --> 00:15:50.639
Um and then also another thing you want to look for um is if you want medication, like thinking about that, like does the practice have all the tools in that one in that one practice?
00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:54.559
Am I able to get medication if need be?
00:15:54.879 --> 00:16:09.279
Whether it's downline, whether it's right now, um, you know, really thinking about that as well, because that's also something that um is is is good to have.
00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:14.000
It's good to have that option just in case you need to consult with a psychiatrist as well.
00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:16.080
Um so yeah.
00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:21.440
So that's pretty much how you can search for a therapist.
00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:29.840
Um, definitely you can also, you know, use like um sites like psychology today.
00:16:30.080 --> 00:16:44.480
If you want to see about like a specific therapist, um you can filter some things um based on what you're looking for, whether you're looking for a particular race, um, particular um therapist that uses different modality.
00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:51.200
Um, and by modality I mean like cognitive behavioral therapy or person-centered therapy, things like that.
00:16:51.360 --> 00:17:01.279
Um, you can also, like speaking of that, you can also um educate yourself on on those modalities and see which one fits to you.
00:17:01.440 --> 00:17:02.879
Like, you can definitely do that.
00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:12.000
You don't have to wait until um a professional is just doing a method on you um to really understand these techniques that you're using.
00:17:12.079 --> 00:17:13.039
You have access.
00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:22.160
So definitely use your resources, use um Google, use read on articles on psychology today.
00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:42.640
Um definitely do your do your research on the practice, look at the about section, um, look at the therapist bios and things like that, see what they are are doing, so that way you are able to walk in with with some knowledge, with some knowledge on what what you're walking into.
00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:47.279
So, again, thank you for tuning in.
00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:49.440
Um, I love talking with you guys.
00:17:49.599 --> 00:17:53.519
Um, follow me on Instagram at Reach Your Minds if you haven't.
00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:58.960
Um, there definitely will be a couple more episodes in our mini-series as we talk about how to therapy.
00:17:59.119 --> 00:18:11.599
If you have any more questions that pop up, um, some things you may be wondering about the process, some things you may be wondering about therapy, or even like you may have a personal story that you want to share and you need direction on.
00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:24.000
Please feel free to chat it up with me, DM me, or we can also um shoot me a message via the link in the Spotify or Apple Podcasts um bio.
00:18:24.640 --> 00:18:26.160
So, thank you guys.
00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:28.160
I will see you next time.
00:00:15.039 --> 00:00:16.480
Yo, yo, yo.
00:00:19.519 --> 00:00:21.280
What's good, what's good, what's good.
00:00:21.359 --> 00:00:22.640
Hey everyone.
00:00:23.120 --> 00:00:30.559
I am excited to be joining you again with um number two.
00:00:31.039 --> 00:00:38.560
Number two, um, our second topic of the miniseries of um how to therapy.
00:00:38.640 --> 00:00:40.000
So thank you for joining in.
00:00:40.079 --> 00:00:42.799
Um again, my name is Brianna Williams MS.
00:00:43.280 --> 00:00:57.439
Um, and if you haven't, um definitely uh go to the first episode and really just uh dive in to get to know a little bit about me, get to a little bit of get to know a little bit about my story, um, and things like that.
00:00:57.600 --> 00:01:00.159
So that way you can be connected with me.
00:01:00.320 --> 00:01:04.319
I definitely love to be connected with my followers and my viewers and my listeners.
00:01:04.480 --> 00:01:13.439
So please, please, please, definitely if you have questions, um, or even just comments, anything, you can feel free to message me.
00:01:13.519 --> 00:01:23.280
You can feel free to DM me on Instagram at Reaches Minds, or you could just shoot me um a message um via the link that's in the um podcast description.
00:01:23.599 --> 00:01:25.680
So let's dive right into it.
00:01:25.840 --> 00:01:37.439
So last week, last podcast, we talked about um being a black woman therapist, um, really just giving you my my story.
00:01:37.599 --> 00:01:51.359
Um, and we also talked about um just the disparity in in numbers when it comes to black therapists as well as um black Americans that are um being treated for mental health.
00:01:51.519 --> 00:02:00.000
Um, we talked about the many different barriers and things like that, but today I kind of want to dive into how do you search for a therapist?
00:02:00.480 --> 00:02:13.039
Um, a lot of times we have this extensive list, we have all these extensive like processes, um, just all the different running around, and that can be discouraging.
00:02:13.199 --> 00:02:14.639
That can definitely be discouraging.
00:02:14.800 --> 00:02:22.960
So, I definitely want to answer some questions that um some people have when they first start looking for a therapist.
00:02:23.120 --> 00:02:26.159
So um let's dive right in.
00:02:26.319 --> 00:02:27.759
We ain't gonna waste no time.
00:02:28.240 --> 00:02:32.960
Um, so the first thing you want to ask yourself is what can I afford?
00:02:33.520 --> 00:02:45.120
So unfortunately, um the mental health care system is not like our you know our medical um and our physical health care system.
00:02:45.199 --> 00:02:46.879
It's it's totally different.
00:02:47.120 --> 00:02:48.879
Um, the costs are different.
00:02:49.039 --> 00:02:52.240
Um, how much insurance covers is is very different.
00:02:52.479 --> 00:03:02.319
So you want to definitely be mindful um of the cost before like committing to make sure that you are able to be consistent.
00:03:02.479 --> 00:03:04.800
Um, so there are two options, right?
00:03:05.039 --> 00:03:14.319
There's self-pay, which that's you pay out of pocket, you know, whatever the cost is of that therapist, you just pay their their flat rate.
00:03:14.960 --> 00:03:17.759
Um, and then there's also insurance.
00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:21.919
Um, now some insurance they were they'll cover the whole session, right?
00:03:22.159 --> 00:03:24.240
Um, but that's very rare.
00:03:24.479 --> 00:03:27.520
Um, with other insurances, there are co-pays.
00:03:27.680 --> 00:03:32.639
So definitely, even if you're using insurance, you want to make sure you know your copay up front.
00:03:32.800 --> 00:03:36.719
So that way um you're able to kind of budget out your money.
00:03:36.879 --> 00:03:49.280
So you can definitely ask your insurance, you can definitely ask even the practice to kind of see okay, what is the copay gonna look like if I commit to coming to you guys for therapy?
00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:55.759
Um, so that's how you pay for therapy, basically.
00:03:56.080 --> 00:03:58.080
So, really just look into the numbers.
00:03:58.240 --> 00:04:10.479
Um, I know that can seem stressful, that can seem um very mundane, but it's helpful to know up front so that way you're not blindsided by any um any extra cost that may pop up.
00:04:10.639 --> 00:04:14.560
So you want to just make sure that you're informed um through that process.
00:04:14.639 --> 00:04:36.800
And again, you can ask your insurance company, you could ask the um company directly, um depending on like where you're going to therapy at, just ask their billing department, and they can sit down with you and actually explain the cost to you so that way you know what you're getting into before you begin services, and that will help um you be able to maintain those services as well.
00:04:38.240 --> 00:04:47.120
Um another thing that you want to really look at and know is what your options are.
00:04:47.680 --> 00:04:58.000
So within the the field, there are different ways that you can receive um therapy, different platforms, different um practices, and things like that.
00:04:58.160 --> 00:05:02.079
So one of them is um private private practice.
00:05:02.319 --> 00:05:10.000
Um, private practice, they are usually um self-pay, and sometimes they do also take insurance.
00:05:10.160 --> 00:05:15.199
Um, however, it won't be like government assistance short insurance.
00:05:15.439 --> 00:05:25.199
So um it you may have uh you may use insurance um for, but they may not have uh your specific insurance.
00:05:25.360 --> 00:05:29.199
So the insurance options are very limited, is what I'm trying to say.
00:05:29.279 --> 00:05:49.839
Um so that's something that you can definitely look into when you're looking at their practice, um, when you're looking at uh even a particular therapist and seeing like you know who they're affiliated with, who they take their funding by, um, and to see if your insurance fits with that, or again, if you're willing to pay that self-pay cost.
00:05:50.480 --> 00:05:53.199
Um, there's also community practice.
00:05:53.360 --> 00:06:04.000
Um, so this is typically um those practices that you can kind of uh get through through your insurance um as well as like Medicaid.
00:06:04.399 --> 00:06:12.639
Um, you just call your insurance company up um and they'll be able to assist you in what is in your network.
00:06:13.040 --> 00:06:19.199
Um, with these, the pickings of mental health therapists are slim.
00:06:19.360 --> 00:06:20.399
Um, just a warning.
00:06:20.560 --> 00:06:22.399
It's not that it's bad, right?
00:06:22.480 --> 00:06:42.639
It's not that it is um that you're not going to receive the best help, but um it can be uh an even greater process as far as finding the right therapist through a uh through using um like Medicaid insurance, unfortunately.
00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:55.040
Um but definitely don't let that discourage you, but keep that in mind as we keep continuing to go through um just how to find the right therapist for yourself.
00:06:55.600 --> 00:07:23.360
Um and then there's also um et-based therapy, so there's different online um therapy companies, um, especially since like COVID is getting really big, um, like ThriveWorks, uh BetterHelp, um Grow Therapy, um, all these things are out here that they allow you to have access to different therapists that are out there.
00:07:23.519 --> 00:07:28.160
Um, they allow you to use insurance um as well as like Medicaid insurance.
00:07:28.240 --> 00:07:31.839
So definitely, you know, you can check that out, you can filter that.
00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:40.240
Um, and they allow you to see like the specific therapist that you will that you and pick the specific therapist that you will want to work with.
00:07:40.560 --> 00:07:50.160
So as far as like uh when it comes to like community practice, you're usually um assigned a therapist that they have on their staff already.
00:07:50.399 --> 00:08:04.399
Um but that doesn't mean that you can't change the therapist, or that doesn't mean you can't go on their site and say, hey, I want so-and-so to be my therapist, and depending on their availability and their caseload, they can take you in.
00:08:04.639 --> 00:08:24.319
Um but it's more definitely more flexibility when you are going with um let's say private practice or you're going with an at-based therapy um practice, um, you're able to really solidify who you're gonna get and really um have control over um that picking.
00:08:25.040 --> 00:08:30.639
And then there's also our last um option is employee assistance program.
00:08:31.040 --> 00:08:34.879
Now, this right here, um, for sure, it's called EAP.
00:08:35.120 --> 00:08:37.919
Um, and this is funded through your job.
00:08:38.159 --> 00:08:53.279
So not all not all companies, you know, have this access to their employees, but definitely I would say check, check with your employer, see if they have this um this free service.
00:08:53.440 --> 00:09:02.480
So basically you'll get about like 10 sessions, I believe it is, and you'll be able to work with a therapist um for free.
00:09:02.559 --> 00:09:08.399
Your job will cover those sessions, and if you want to continue with that therapist, then again it's up to you to pay that cost.
00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:17.039
So wherever it's if it's self-pay, if it's insurance, if it's insurance with a copay, you know, making sure that you know you can you can pay that as well.
00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:36.240
Um, but if you need something, this is really good for um those who need like immediate assistance, immediate mental health treatment, um, and don't really have like the funds to um do some of those other options that I mentioned um previously.
00:09:36.480 --> 00:09:40.399
So definitely like talk to your employer, see if they have this option.
00:09:40.559 --> 00:09:53.679
If you're like, listen, I want to get started, I want to at least get my feet wet to kind of see what therapy is like, you know, before really like committing and and having like this this self-pay or having um this other bill with copay.
00:09:54.080 --> 00:09:56.480
I just want to kind of just fill things out.
00:09:56.639 --> 00:10:00.159
So definitely that's a good way to also jump into it.
00:10:00.320 --> 00:10:05.279
Um, again, it's kind of like with uh community practice.
00:10:05.440 --> 00:10:13.360
Um, you won't sometimes you won't be able to really have control over what therapist is assigned to you.
00:10:13.679 --> 00:10:32.399
So definitely like um just making sure that you know, like um when it comes to private practice and at-based therapy, um, you're definitely going to have more um autonomy up front of the the therapist that you that you would like to work with.
00:10:32.720 --> 00:10:37.279
But also you can use your voice, which we're we're going to continue to talk about.
00:10:37.440 --> 00:10:58.320
You can use your voice in in order to advocate for um another therapist or even a particular therapist, whether even it be in community practice um or EAP, you can always say, you know what, no, I I want a different therapist, um, and stay with that that company.
00:10:59.840 --> 00:11:06.000
And then last thing, um, you want to know what your goals are for therapy.
00:11:06.720 --> 00:11:20.480
And now this is important because not every therapist can um treat or has the skills um for your situation and for what you're dealing with.
00:11:20.639 --> 00:11:26.000
So really you want to sit down and you want to identify what is it that I'm looking for.
00:11:26.320 --> 00:11:29.279
You want to identify what is it that I'm struggling with.
00:11:29.440 --> 00:11:44.720
Maybe it is trauma, and trauma can look like you know, you grew up in a in a two-parent household, and then your parents got divorced, um, and that kind of that turmoil kind of um affected you.
00:11:45.200 --> 00:12:06.559
Or maybe you had an incident with domestic violence, or you witnessed domestic violence, or you know, uh you were in a car accident, um uh you witnessed uh a gunshot and or experienced a gunshot or had death, you know, go on, and so on and so on.
00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:10.240
Um maybe you're going through a season of depression.
00:12:10.559 --> 00:12:28.080
Maybe you are going through losing a loved one, or going through losing a baby, or just not feeling like yourself these days, kind of feeling lost in the world, or feeling like you are um just really struggling um to find the motivation.
00:12:28.320 --> 00:12:34.720
Um maybe you just need help with goals, with with goal setting, and trying to plan your life out.
00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:41.279
Maybe you're in a stage where you're in this rocky transition and you're trying to figure out, you know, what is next for me?
00:12:41.519 --> 00:12:47.279
What do I have um to give or to offer or what do I want to do with my life?
00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:50.320
Um and so on and so on.
00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:54.559
So really sitting down and saying, what do I want?
00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:57.679
What do I want out of this?
00:12:58.240 --> 00:13:12.559
Um, and so that way it will help you look when you are looking for even like even at the practice, maybe you can't see the specific therapist on the site, but you can see what the practice um specializes in.
00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:21.519
Does it does the practice specialize in ADHD ADHD or OCD or depression or anxiety?
00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:24.799
Does it specialize in working with kids?
00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:26.639
You need somebody for your kid.
00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:30.399
Um, does it specialize with working with teens or trouble youth?
00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:36.559
Or um does it specialize in working with college students or you know, seniors, things like that?
00:13:36.720 --> 00:13:41.679
So you want to really do a deep dive and really research these things.
00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:45.519
And I know that can seem like a lot.
00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:55.919
That can seem like homework, that can seem just um just very stressful.
00:13:56.799 --> 00:14:11.600
But if you do all these things up front, it will definitely help in aiding um in aiding you to find the right therapist for you, and and not saying that you do all these things right and you're gonna find the right therapist right off the bat, right?
00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:20.000
That therapist is gonna be perfect, they're gonna know everything, they're gonna be able to give you what you need, all these different things.
00:14:20.320 --> 00:14:24.080
Not saying that, but your chances are definitely better.
00:14:25.200 --> 00:14:36.559
And maybe like it may be that the therapist might be good for that season, but you know, as you continue to progress, you know, for other seasons, they might not be good in that season, and that's okay.
00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:42.159
But definitely you want to be able to set yourself up for some success.
00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:44.480
And so definitely do your research.
00:14:44.720 --> 00:15:12.960
Um ask people if you know people that's in the field, or if you know people that are already in therapy, um, if you know people that that know other people that have been in therapy, and you know, you want to get their experience and or how they found their therapists or what they like about their therapist, because sometimes we don't know, you know, what should I be expecting, what should I, you know, be looking for, or you know, what should catch my eye, and things like that.
00:15:13.039 --> 00:15:17.600
So definitely um talk to others, talk to others.
00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:25.600
Um, and if you know you do all this research and you're still like struggling, you can also ask your primary care physician.
00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:35.120
Your primary care physician can also help you out when it comes to um pointing you in a direct right direction for therapists.
00:15:35.440 --> 00:15:50.639
Um and then also another thing you want to look for um is if you want medication, like thinking about that, like does the practice have all the tools in that one in that one practice?
00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:54.559
Am I able to get medication if need be?
00:15:54.879 --> 00:16:09.279
Whether it's downline, whether it's right now, um, you know, really thinking about that as well, because that's also something that um is is is good to have.
00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:14.000
It's good to have that option just in case you need to consult with a psychiatrist as well.
00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:16.080
Um so yeah.
00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:21.440
So that's pretty much how you can search for a therapist.
00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:29.840
Um, definitely you can also, you know, use like um sites like psychology today.
00:16:30.080 --> 00:16:44.480
If you want to see about like a specific therapist, um you can filter some things um based on what you're looking for, whether you're looking for a particular race, um, particular um therapist that uses different modality.
00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:51.200
Um, and by modality I mean like cognitive behavioral therapy or person-centered therapy, things like that.
00:16:51.360 --> 00:17:01.279
Um, you can also, like speaking of that, you can also um educate yourself on on those modalities and see which one fits to you.
00:17:01.440 --> 00:17:02.879
Like, you can definitely do that.
00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:12.000
You don't have to wait until um a professional is just doing a method on you um to really understand these techniques that you're using.
00:17:12.079 --> 00:17:13.039
You have access.
00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:22.160
So definitely use your resources, use um Google, use read on articles on psychology today.
00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:42.640
Um definitely do your do your research on the practice, look at the about section, um, look at the therapist bios and things like that, see what they are are doing, so that way you are able to walk in with with some knowledge, with some knowledge on what what you're walking into.
00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:47.279
So, again, thank you for tuning in.
00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:49.440
Um, I love talking with you guys.
00:17:49.599 --> 00:17:53.519
Um, follow me on Instagram at Reach Your Minds if you haven't.
00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:58.960
Um, there definitely will be a couple more episodes in our mini-series as we talk about how to therapy.
00:17:59.119 --> 00:18:11.599
If you have any more questions that pop up, um, some things you may be wondering about the process, some things you may be wondering about therapy, or even like you may have a personal story that you want to share and you need direction on.
00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:24.000
Please feel free to chat it up with me, DM me, or we can also um shoot me a message via the link in the Spotify or Apple Podcasts um bio.
00:18:24.640 --> 00:18:26.160
So, thank you guys.
00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:28.160
I will see you next time.
