When was the last time you played with toys? If you’re a little surprised by that question, I wouldn’t blame you. Many of us forgot about the joy that came with playing with toys as we got older. However, as research has shown, there are many benefits to playing to adults and children alike; play therapy is something that psychologists can get trained and licensed in!

Sometimes it can feel like self-care is this inaccessible, unattainable thing; this habit that you know you should have, but one that feels like it’s impossible to really do. Maybe the first thing you picture when you see the phrase ‘self-care’ is a cruise ship, a day off of work, some designer clothes, or something else that seems like it’s weeks or months or years away from happening. Maybe self care looks doable, but you find it difficult to start or you don’t know where to begin. Sometimes, it’s easier to start small.

The journey to the first session of therapy is, in itself, a long one. You have to look for therapists, reach out to them, find or make a time that works for the both of you, fill out paperwork, the list goes on. And on top of all of that, it can be scary acknowledging that you want help. That’s why it’s important to note that the fact that you did all of that signifies how strong and courageous you are. And if you haven’t scheduled a first session yet or if you’re still thinking about looking for a therapist, I want to say that I’m proud of you too, because you’ve started this journey and that’s such a cool thing!

While mental health care can offer you various benefits, insurance providers see mental health benefits differently than a medical service or item, so there is a difference in costs.

With behavioral health services, terms such as in network with insurance versus out of network reimbursement, good faith estimate, and sliding scale are utilized when discussing provider fees. The overall costs of therapy services is often something that can be difficult to discern.

For many of us, much of our lives seem to revolve around the transitions in academic calendars. Our entire days revolve around school through high school, and potentially beyond; and if we are parents, our children go through much of the same routine as we had when we were their age.