I am still not sure I am built for this but I am going to continue to try. I am going to aim for shorter thoughts but will probably continue to write like I am just jotting in a journal as well that is how my brain works.

Future areas:

Stages of Change

Self Care

Anxiety Hangovers

ADHD and Anxiety and ways it affects relationships

Benefits of Kratom Tea

Feel free to message me with other ideas!  Also, I have spoken with some clients and we may add a section of them writing of experiences or feelings anonymously also, because we are all in this together!

I have always believed and followed that while I can not change entire systems in my life time, I can make small changes towards the positive in my lifetime. I still feel this away about the infamous overwhelming multifaceted alien system that is Insurance Coverage;)

I strongly believe if one has insurance, I want to try my hardest to utilize this for their services. They are paying for it and it is theirs to be utilized! Ironic moment, I currently can only afford an insurance plan that DOES NOT cover mental health services LOL.  Have that chuckle for a moment.

I worked on that side of the game for a few years because I wanted to understand their system and perception of services so I could utilize that knowledge strategically in private practice. 

The only large plan I am not contracted with is FL Blue/BCBS and trust me, even after everyone in my field told me to run far far away and never look back, my at times ridiculous belief I can fix this kicked in overdrive. I had a moment where they had a good enrollment year and I had regulars who had changed to that plan.

7 months later, I asked them to remove my application after it sat in credentialing for that long, while I had individuals who had needs and I realized this truly is just business as usual for BCBS. I was a sweet but terrier type with them, trying to move the application forward. I had bit into this process and I am not letting go until I am done. If I am contracted with everyone else, what could you possibly be researching on me LOL. The last answer I received was they were backed up.  Every other insurance plan I contracted with took at maximum 60 days. So, in the end my ethics one out, I asked them to remove me from the process and realized, yes all my colleagues were correct.

It broke my heart as FL Blue is very prevalent on the health exchange and many individuals coming out of substance use treatment have this plan.

My close colleague wrote a very interesting and honest blog about insurance, and while I do not yet follow her business practice yet, I truly understand her information to be correct from experience.

southtampacounselor.com/blog/2021/10/16/why-i-am-only-accepting-a-percentage-of-insurance-clientele-in-my-private-practice

With all this being said, I will continue to try my best to continue to be able to serve individuals with insurance plans.

If you have questions about coverage, deductibles and such, I am also quite knowledgeable in that arena. 

The biggest difficulty will always be TIME. I have found over the years most individuals prefer 90 minutes and even 2 hrs. at times particularly if we are working through a trauma or very involved situation.  I understand the importance of this but insurance does not. They will audit me at times as I can not bill either of those lengths. 

They truly want you to see me for 40 mins, let me document visit for 10 mins and that is it unless I am documenting it is "medically necessary". The timeframe has always been interesting to me, we all know that is not enough time and by not provided needed service utilization, they may save money but will then spend it in other areas of utilization on the health side as of course mental health affects physical health. But that is too sane of a thought;) 

Back to medically necessary, I will do this when appropriate but lord have mercy it is not a simple task. My clients are my number 1 priority and I will always fight for you. Just know when we have insurance bumps, I will be there to offer every possible solution I can think of after I have had a few cups of coffee;) and probably asked Headway, an amazing billing platform I use that also will play middle man for you and I if there is an insurance blip.

We got this! And sometimes we just have to maneuver our way through a system, instead of possibly becoming anxious, fearful or angry with it.  I remind myself often LOL.

"Be awesome is the best revenge" 

This an area that has bothered me for many years and I have not seen much change in the perceptions from society as I was reminded this last week when my PCP sent my prescriptions to 2 different pharmacies on accident. 

Please understand I am a kind and patient individual who feels as if no one is a stranger so these thoughts are not meant to be unkind to pharmacy, healthcare employees or anyone who may have a different opinion for that matter. But in the same breathe I do want others in my shoes to know you are a good, strong and courageous person, you can not control others' beliefs and their is no shame in taking care of your physical and mental health with medications that work best for your brain chemistry.

That being said, back to my day as a "drug trafficker".  Does any of this feel familiar?

Employees looking at you before you say anything to pick up prescription, "hold on I need to check if it has been 30 days"

Because we couldn't possibly remember this is true every single month we go pick up medication LOL with our ID, signature, first born, a chocolate bar for the pharmacy tech and lord knows what else to get through the shaming process. Also hoping there is not a line as the tech always seems to say Category/Narcotic extra loud.

Or the lack of understanding when somehow a pharmacy is out of a very popular medication and you can not order till the day prior, so you experience withdrawal symptoms, not because you are "addicted" just because this is how the medication works like many others. This truly is an area I see often with PCP and Pharmacies not caring and watching individuals feel anxious, scared, confused thoughts, other level sadness, fatigue, brain fog etc. while waiting days for a prescription that is set for every month like clock work. 

I could never understand if we jump patiently through all the hoops, registered in state tracking system, try never to change a pharmacy ( that may look drug seeking although maybe you just wanted a different pharmacy, call me crazy ) always show ID and sign our name that we are not doing something terrible with a medication we are truly taking for our mental health and works very well. 

It is no ones fault some folks may use great medications in inappropriate ways. Also, a licensed professional prescribed it you for goodness sakes!

I just want everyone to understand you really are amazing and self aware and taking care of your health regardless of all the hoops, 30 day scripts, no refills, accidently ordering a day too early ( enter questioning evil eye ) or even explaining to a new physician, because your last one decided not to contract with your insurance plan one year, why you take the medication and have to start all over. 

You are not a stereotype, you are not an addict, you are not a weak person, YOU are adulting and being responsible by working through issues and concerns that will help you live your best life and maybe that requires better living through chemistry LOL but at least you are trying, giving effort, moving forward and growing as a person. 

So as a tribe we will all break this ridiculous stereotype and misconception of very good medications. We hold our head high in the PCP office or Pharmacy, we educate folks about the concept and differences of withdrawal, addiction and tolerance and or even just decide it is none of their darn business because you are living your best life and brush your shoulder off *insert Jay Z song

I will always have your back and I will continue to try to educate folks if they are open to learning but just know you and I are doing the best for ourselves and that makes all of us a freaking Rockstar as far as I am concerned!

PS A client and I once had a belly laughing discussion of what it would be if Adderall and Alcohol were tracked the same way.....sorry sir you can not go to the bar, you have had your 30 drinks for the month and also you can go to another bar or even drink at home until your doctor calls and pays your tab.  And a little gentle reminder, most people do not look in a bar and think everyone in there is an addict but if you say Adderall or Xanax, they probably sadly do. Except those might be the folks taking their medication as prescribed where as some folks may not drink as prescribed. Just a thought;)