The long and short of it is that insurance is a nightmare for both you and me.
Indiana private practice therapists are all in cahoots chit chatting about this very topic. Here’s what I’ve learned: insurance companies neglect re-imbursing therapists for services provided. Issues such as unexpected charges for clients ensue as well. Overall, it’s just messy. I’m not going to name names of insurance companies, however I can tell you that petitions and movements rage against these insurance companies currently.
I do not want to partake in the messiness because my passion is mental health counseling. Providing quality client care prioritizes succumbing to the messiness.
When you are already at a crossroads in your life and seeking support, navigating a maze of co-pays and insurance denials seems decidedly unhelpful. It can feel demoralizing and dehumanizing to possess very little bandwidth, then encounter significant barriers to receiving treatment. Likewise, it feels awful to encounter surprise costs. With self-pay, you know the cost upfront.
I will charge you the agreed upon amount only. That is a promise.
Additionally, insurance often limits the number of sessions covered. On top of sometimes requiring outrageous out-of-pocket fees even if you have good insurance, insurance companies micro-manage the care that you are able to provide as a clinician and receive as a client. Meanwhile, they are documenting whatever mental health diagnosis is forcibly given. They demand a diagnosis. Inherently, I disagree with this practice.
That’s why I choose to offer self-pay. It’s a great option for you as well. You will not be blindsided.
The long and short of it is that insurance is a nightmare for both you and me.
Indiana private practice therapists are all in cahoots chit chatting about this very topic. Here’s what I’ve learned: all too often, insurance companies neglect re-imbursing therapists for services provided. Issues such as unexpected charges for clients ensue as well. Overall, it’s just messy. I’m not going to name names of insurance companies, however I can tell you that petitions and movements rage against these insurance companies currently.
I do not want to partake in the messiness because my passion is mental health counseling. Providing quality client care supersedes succumbing to the messiness.
When you are already at a crossroads in your life and seeking support, navigating a maze of co-pays and insurance denials seems decidedly unhelpful. It can feel demoralizing and dehumanizing to possess very little bandwidth, then encounter significant barriers to receiving treatment. Likewise, it feels awful to encounter surprise costs. With self-pay, you know the cost upfront.
Additionally, insurance often limits the number of sessions covered. On top of sometimes requiring outrageous out-of-pocket fees even if you have good insurance, insurance companies micro-manage the care that you are able to provide as a clinician, and receive as a client. Meanwhile, they are documenting whatever mental health diagnosis is forcibly given. They demand a diagnosis. Inherently, I disagree with this practice.
That’s why I choose to offer self-pay. You will not be blindsided. You will not have insurance companies cataloguing your mental health. I will charge you the agreed upon amount only. That is a promise.
I'm sincerely saddened by the reports of tragedies surrounding artificial intelligence (AI).
Adam Raine died by suicide after allegedly receiving encouragement to do so from ChatGPT. The AI coached him how to kill himself and advised him not to disclose his emotional distress to his mother. A surely winning lawsuit impends. You can readily find more reporting of this as well, but here is a link to a ABC news report.
https://youtu.be/jBnJlwcnOBI?feature=shared
Another instance of ChatGPT running amok involved a man seeking medical advice and poisoning himself with Sodium Bromide per the recommendation of ChatGPT as a replacement for utilizing regular run-of-the-mill salt in his diet. Fortunately, he survived. This doctor in the video below said, "What's that quote? 'Common sense is not that common.'" On the one hand, this remark could be construed as holier-and-smarter-than-thou. It lacks compassion. On the other hand, I appreciate the candidness about how dangerous AI can be. In this world, it's a fine line between celebrating technological advancement and existing as a curmudgeon.
https://youtu.be/TNeVw1FZrSQ?feature=shared
I'm only slightly a curmudgeon. AI is not your doctor nor your therapist. I've observed people engaging with AI in this capacity increasingly. Be my doctor, therapist, bestie! Yet, there is no replacement for human connection nor the specialization of professionals in their field. AI might get there eventually, and we might be out of our jobs. That would stink. But, currently, it's not there.
Here's a funny anecdotal example: I got into a cordial fight with ChatGPT because I wanted to know the name of the Detroit Lions player that initiated a tussle with a Green Bay Packers player. The unsportsmanlike conduct call against the Pack left many scratching their heads. I uncharacteristically used ChatGPT seeking a quick answer. Instead, it argued with me. It said there was no such call. I kept trying to work with it by phrasing things differently to get the darn name.
Ultimately, ChatGPT acknowledged it was wrong, apologized, and thanked me for helping inform it. I have the screenshots! I probably should have simply abandoned the AI inquisition mission. But, given the news about horrific tragedies related to AI, I wanted to see just how wrong ChatGPT could be. It felt like an experiment at that point. I guess I had time that day. Maybe I need a new hobby.
I share this anecdote to demonstrate how absurdly unreliable and inaccurate ChatGPT and all AI can be. If it can't even tell me basic, factual information and chooses to be sassy while downright gaslighting me about FOOTBALL, I highly advise you to reconsider using AI for medical or therapeutic advice.
Overall, I'm a real person that will genuinely feel compassion for you that AI can't generate. Please choose talking to me or another licensed mental health clinician, or a doctor. We don't want anyone dying by suicide nor poisoning themself around here if it can be utterly prevented. Your life matters! AI can certainly be a helpful tool to advise coping skills and a plethora of information. But AI is not your therapist nor doctor. I could be your therapist though :)
The fundamental attribution error references a researched psychological tendency to mentally internalize another person's behavior as a personal or dispositional flaw, rather than accounting for situational factors.
When I first learned about this in class, the example involved road rage. If someone drives crazy, your first thought may be, "That person is a jerk!" or "Re-take drivers ed, you nimwit!" or "You don't care about others' safety! You're selfish!"
We are inclined to jump straight to blaming the person's personality as a whole. We are not taught to explore the nuances of possible situational factors that could be at play. What if that person was racing to the hospital to see their dying loved one for the last time? What if their pregnant loved one was in the passenger seat and actively in labor? What if they were distracted after a particularly bad day? Yet, the research demonstrates that we are inclined to extend grace to ourselves for external factors that contributed to the situation.
My favorite personal example comes from when I was waiting tables. A new employee told the manager that I was glaring at her, and my manager confronted me about it after the shift. I was shocked. I really liked the new employee and didn't want her to feel that way. She just happened to observe what I call 'my thinking face' when I was stressing and thinking during the rush of that shift. While serving, you always need to look around to see what's happening and what needs to be done. She caught my stressed 'thinking face' and thought, "SHE'S MEAN." "Why does she have a problem with me?"
Fast forward: She's now my neighbor and friend. We have keys to each other's place. I adored her then, I adore her now! We laugh about how she thought I was a mean-spirited person for "glaring at her." It was just the fundamental attribution error roaring its nasty little head. Girl, I was just in the zone thinking, "That table wants more ranch, that table needs to be bussed, etc etc etc."
Discerning whether to give a person grace due to situational factors, or whether it's a true characteristic trait, is no easy task. That's precisely where therapy can assist you in exploring interpersonal dynamics. If possible, that's also where effective communication helps. (You obviously can't talk to someone in a road rage situation, though ha!) It just isn't always what you think. Our thoughts lead us astray sometimes.
Bonus.. You might just end up with a good friend if you work through it.
As an aside, I'm laughing because I looked up content to further educate after writing this entry. This video uses the road rage example as well. Yall, we can talk about it in session if you have road rage! Hehe be safe out there. Much love! xxx
https://youtu.be/Y8IcYSrcaaA