Answering the Infamous Question...

Do you take insurance? This certainly seems like a simple "yes" or "no" question. But it isn't. It fact, it can be a somewhat complicated answer. Whenever a potential client asks me this question, I try to give them the easy-to-understand answer, "I am an out-of-network provider so it depends on your insurance plan." But even that provokes more inquiry and explanation. Sometimes, behavioral health plans are part of one's medical health plan and sometimes they aren't. If they aren't, then there may be different deductibles and co-pays applied. Sometimes, too, behavioral health plans are covered by a separate health insurance company altogether. So if you have medical insurance covered by Company A, your mental health counseling may be covered by Company B. And Company A and Company B can have different rules, procedures, deductibles, and co-pays. In other words, if you have medical coverage under Company A, they may allow you to see an out-of-network doctor but if your mental health coverage is through Company B, they may not allow you to see an out-of-network counselor. Confused? You're not the only one! And the worst part of all of this is that neither you nor your provider may be aware of this. I had a client recently who found me through her insurance company directory. When the claim was filed, it was denied because her mental health coverage was through another company who chooses not to cover providers outside of their network. We didn't realize this since her insurance card listed me as a provider AND she found me through her insurance company's directory! This doesn't happen all the time but it is something to be aware of. Therefore, when I get a call from a potential client and the discussion unfolds, I encourage them to call their insurance company and ask about their mental health coverage. Or to review their insurance plan paperwork. If they get stuck, I'm certainly happy to call on their behalf. So going back to the question of whether I take insurance? I am an out-of-network provider (except for Aetna) who chooses to seek payment up front and bills on behalf of the client seeking reimbursement. Whether the insurance company reimburses is in the hands of the insurance company. Should you run into problems or need more information about insurance, feel free to contact the CA Dept of Insurance by clicking this link.

Living in Gratitude Brings Great Pay-offs!

Living in gratitude has brought me much peace and happiness. This past weekend, I was sitting outside with some friends at an outdoor diner in Sacramento. It was a beautiful night and I was so happy to spend time with friends I haven't seen in awhile. Out of the corner of my eye, between chatter and laughter, I saw him. An old tattered man. He was handing out roses. I remember thinking, "How nice of him to share those with others." He came to our table and immediately my friend said, "There's no money here." He still offered each of us a rose and a blessing. I guess. He mumbled mostly. All I could hear was "God Bless" and then more mumblings. We graciously accepted our roses and all I could say was "Thank you" while I smelled the sweetness of this gift. He left only to return a few minutes later, asking for money. When no money was given, he asked for his roses back from my friends but not me. What made me different, I wondered. My friends teased me that maybe he thought I was cute. I wondered if it had to do with my gracious attitude. From the moment I saw him, I was already thinking positive thoughts about him. I wasn't worried about whether he was going to ask for money. I took my rose back to my hotel room, put it in a cup of water, and placed it on the table. The next day it still looked beautiful and I reflected on how happy I was to receive it. I left it for Housekeeping along w/a tip and a "Thank you" note. It felt so good to share that gift with someone else-another stranger. I will probably never see that old tattered man again. But he left me with a few gifts: a rose, a good feeling, and a smile. And the ability to pay it forward.

Yesterday, my neighbor surprised me by giving me a bag full of cherries. I've lived across the street from him for over 4 years and have only spoken to him twice and have waved hello on occasion. But, he must've been reading my mind because I was thinking just 2 days ago how nice it would be to enjoy some cherries. Again, I graciously took this gift with such joy, thinking, "Wow, I'm receiving so many wonderful gifts!"

There's more of course. For example, my business is thriving! I've had a very busy practice for about 2 mos now after a slow start at the new year. I give thanks in my gratitude journal everyday for all that I receive. And I've noticed that every time I'm grateful, the Universe blesses me with even more! While I know it seems so simple, I encourage each and every one of you to simply say "Thank You!" Thank you for this breath of life, the gift of vision, the gift of laughter, and the gift of friendship.

If you haven't started a gratitude journal yet, it's rather simple. Just reflect on your day, noting of all the gifts provided throughout your day, and then write them down. Should you get stuck, feel free to visit my website at www.florencemft.com and look through my resource pages. If you've already started a gratitude journal, keep enjoying the bounty!

Thank you for reading this blog! :)

PS-You may be wondering about the connection of the posted picture and this writing. That is my most recent tattoo. I love stargazer lilies and always feel good when I buy them. Thought I'd keep a permanent reminder of the joy they bring.

Talking Teens

I love working with teens! Every time I say that, other adults seem to cringe and then ask, "Why?!" My approach as a counselor can be very direct and teens seem to appreciate that. Plus, I think I'm still a teen at times. :) There are 2 things one must know about teens. One, never try to power struggle with them. They'll win every time! And two, they're just as confused as you are.

Need tips on how to survive your child's teen years? Click this link to learn about early adolescence or click here to learn about the middle stage of adolescence. You can also watch this video of me discussing teens with Wake Up!'s Rob Blair.

Counseling Awareness Month TV Appearance

April was Counseling Awareness Month and as a way to promote awareness of my profession, I partnered with KHSL's local morning TV program, Wake Up! My first appearance was April 10, 2009 and the topic was Stress & The Economy. I remember arriving at 6 am sharp and following producer, Sarah, into the studio. I was nervous not having done live TV before. Megan McDonald, the co-anchor, was at the news desk waiting for her cue. She smiled and said, "Good morning", and suddenly I was at ease. It's the same feeling I hope I'm able to give my clients when they arrive at my office for the very first time. I shared this with Megan and thanked her for her warmth. And then 30 minutes later, Rob Blair, the other co-anchor, who would be interviewing me, was adjusting my mic so it could not be seen. A mic check was done and soon after, the interview began. How quickly it all went! It's all a blur now. But I think the important thing I will take with me is the importance of making one feel comfortable in my office because my clients could be just as nervous as I was that Friday morning.

I encourage to listen to this audio link if you would like info on How to Manage Stress.

When I least expect it

Grief comes upon us like waves. At least that's what I tell my clients. And here I sit feeling the waves coming over me now. Two years ago, I experienced a lot of loss. Family members passing, a friendship ending, and just plain growing older. I had just turned 40 and wondering if the 2nd half of my life would be filled w/good-byes. The upside to this is that I use it to connect to clients who are experiencing loss in their own lives. And I can teach others the stages of grief and loss with some examples. All n all, it has made me a better therapist. Even if it doesn't feel good sometimes.

Learning to Blog

I'm a people person not a computer person! In my field, technology is not something we're trained to do. We're trained to care for people's souls, encourage clients to explore their feelings and help them develop new ways to cope to stressors in their lives. If you'd like to a list of areas I support clients, please click here.