This content has been updated from previous article on November 1, 2023. Since 2022, the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have mandated that mental health and substance use disorder services be covered by insurance plans at the same level as other medical and surgical services. This means that insurance plans are generally required to provide coverage for mental health treatment, therapy, counseling, and sometimes related prescription medications. Getting mental health coverage through insurance has become easier thanks to recent federal regulations, including the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), updated significantly in 2024. Follow these three straightforward steps to confirm your mental health coverage: 1. Obtain and Review Your Health Insurance Policy Start by securing a copy of your insurance policy from your employer’s HR department or directly from your insurer’s website. Review the Summary of...

In a world where wellness content is everywhere but quality can vary wildly, finding mental health resources that are both engaging and evidence-based can feel like searching for a needle in a digital haystack. That’s why we’ve asked our own mental health professionals to curate this list of podcasts that combine clinical expertise with compelling storytelling. Whether you’re currently working with a therapist, contemplating starting therapy, or simply interested in deepening your understanding of mental wellbeing, these expert-picked podcasts provide valuable insights, practical strategies, and the comforting reminder that you’re not alone in your experiences. These aren’t just any mental health podcasts—they’re the ones therapists themselves tune into for professional growth, recommend to their clients, and even enjoy during their own self-care time. From grief and depression to happiness research and culturally responsive therapy, these audio shows offer something for just about everyone on their mental health journey. Whether you’re currently working with a therapist, contemplating starting therapy, or simply interested in deepening your understanding of mental wellbeing, these expert-picked podcasts provide valuable insights, practical strategies, and the comfort...

Starting college is an exciting experience and for many young people, it is the first time they live with a roommate. Sharing close quarters means daily interactions, and if your roommate begins showing signs of depression, it can have an impact on you as well. With studies showing that 44% of college students experience depression, the likelihood of living with someone exhibiting symptoms of depression is fairly high. Living with a roommate who is experiencing depression can be difficult to navigate, especially when balancing their needs with your own well-being. Mental health experts Kimberly Curtis, LPC, CADC, and Suzanne Mosaliganti, PsyD, offer insights on how to recognize the signs of depression in a roommate, provide support, and establish healthy boundaries to protect your mental health. How To Recognize The Signs of Depression in Your Roommate It’s not always obvious when someone is struggling with depression. You might think your roommate is just “going through somet...

One of the most important factors in the success of psychotherapy is the quality of the therapeutic relationship between the therapist and the client. Unlike other medical fields where expertise is the defining factor, in therapy, trust and connection are equally essential. Trust, empathy, and sincerity are the cornerstones of therapy. While researching a prospective therapist’s qualifications and experience is important, the first meeting is where a client should try to determine if they truly connect with the therapist. Since therapy is highly personal, ensuring a good match between client and therapist is vital. While researching a prospective therapist’s qualifications and experience is important, the first meeting is where a client should try to determine if they truly connect with the therapist. To facilitate this, therapists and patients alike should ask key questions to assess compatibility. Essential Questions to Ask a Prospective Therapist Are there any differences b...

I invite friends over for dinner at least twice a week. This may sound unusual or even stressful to many people, but to me it has brought joy and closeness with family and friends. When I cook, we all participate. My friends have sunk their hands into the warm earth to plant herbs, fruits, and vegetables that make it into almost every meal I cook year-round, a proposition that can be difficult in the Michigan winter. Each of the kids and our closest friends helped build the dining room table from local cherry wood that we gather around to eat. To connect. And the wooden center countertop upon which we roll dough for pastas and breads was made by us as well. We feel connected from the food we grow to the places we prepare and eat food. It is all tied together, and all of it is powerful medicine. The kitchen is the heart of our home. The kitchen is the heart of our home. This focus is incredibly important to me as a person and parent. The kitchen is the center of family congregation. It is where we prepare food, discuss our day, and decompress. Achievements and milestones are marked with food and time in the kitchen. This runs deeper than just the food that is prepared and consumed by those who I hold dear. It’s about connection, tradition, and well-being....

Flying can be a nerve-wracking experience for many, triggering anxiety that ranges from mild unease to full-blown panic. The fear of flying, also known as aviophobia, affects countless travelers, making what should be an exciting journey feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there are tools and techniques that often help manage this fear and make flying a more comfortable experience. Understanding Aviophobia Even though flying is statistically safer than driving, our brains don’t always respond to logic when it comes to fear. This conflict between rational knowledge and emotional response is called “emotional recalcitrance“—when we know something is safe, but our emotions refuse to accept it. This is why someone can feel anxious about flying despite knowing that the odds of an accident are incredibly low....

My name is James “Andrew” Dewey, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I am also SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) certified and am actively involved in advocacy for safer drug and alcohol policies. Most importantly, I am living proof that recovery from addiction is not only possible but can lead to a life full of meaning and purpose. Today, I work with individuals battling addiction, helping them navigate the turbulent waters of recovery. But my story didn’t begin with hope—it began with struggle, pain, and rock bottom. How Addiction Took Over My Life My addiction story starts in an unassuming way, as it does for many people. In 2005, I suffered a significant back injury while working. As a veteran, I was able to access care through both the VA and community services. My doctor prescribed what they then called a “miracle drug” for pain management: OxyContin. The Sackler family and pharmaceutical companies had falsely assured doctors and patients alike t...