Every so often, I will post on the topic of who do you call when you don't know who to call for professional help. Such as would be the case when you believe you need to talk to licensed professional counselor, social worker, licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), or psychologist. Today's blog post clears the cobwebs on understanding your options so you don't feel like you are spinning yourself around in circles trying to find the right "fit" psychotherapsit for yourself or someone else you love and care about...
First, it is important to note that not everyone who refers to him/her/themselves as a "counselor", "therapist", and/or "life coach" is actually licensed and recognized as such by your State of residence. In fact, there is no state license that has to do with being a "Life Coach". I don't know who made up that name, but it reminds me of when Roseanne Barr preferred identifying herself as a "Domestic Goddess", rather than a Housewife. So, to be clear...a "Life Coach" is like a fancy way of describing someone who, for example, lost a lot of weight and now claims to be able to help you lose weight too. Or someone who achieved something really impressive in their past, and now you want to achieve the same thing yourself. If this sounds like a Life Coach can be translated to also mean Motivational Speaker, you would be correct! So if you need a motivational speaker, go for it! A "Life Coach" may, in fact, be your best choice for that kind of help! ;-)
Also, many faith-based organizations will train certain members of their congregation to voluntarily serve as "Counselors" to hurting others seeking spiritually-based help and guidance. This is, of course, absolutely welcome and encouraged by those of us who work in the field. This type of advocate-based support can be extremely helpful! However, it is NOT helpful when a pre-existing mood, personality disorder, or any other legitimate mental health diagnoses are ignored or written off as being due to something else that "we" (meaning yourself and your place of worship) will fix together without professional intervention. Double that when there is psychosis, domestic violence, active addiction, and/or sexual abuse present within the immediate family.
Believe me, I do believe in miracles and miracles of deliverance, but chronic and severe mental health issues require more than pray it away. Take note of this reality please! In this moment, I am further reminded of the "Marriage Counselor" married couples who are trained to come up along side young marrieds or other couples experiencing difficulty. Mentoring is one thing...and I'm all for that. What I am NOT all for are these Marriage Counselor couples who reduce down successful marital relationships to (1) wives submit to your husbands because they are the boss of all, and (2) husbands just try to do better o.k.? Spare me!
Next up, for those who have Medicaid as their primary insurance....it's important to know that not "everyone" accepts Medicaid for mental health/behavioral health services. Usually, Community Mental Health (CMH) agencies are the primary provider of such services to Medicaid subscribers. There are also other clinic-based facilities that accept Medicaid, but you would have to find out who those are through your own online-then-call-to-check research. Why is this the case? Why doesn't "everyone" accept Medicaid? Well, that's a political football the size of U of M's current stadium if you are asking me. All I know is that if you can't find a provider through CMH or a Medicaid-provider clinic...there are other additional options...
Additional options include contacting local area universities which have an on-site Psychological Services Clinic that anyone can go to at a reduced cost ranging from $0 - $40/session generally speaking, and based on one's ability to pay--regardless if one has or doesn't have any health insurance with a mental health benefit. The clinicians who work with clients are graduate students working on either their Masters or PhD in the field of Psychology, Counseling, or Social Work. There are also private agencies that offer help to individuals and families who have needs that extend beyond a mental health focus. C.A.R.E.S. in Farmington Hills, MI is one such provider of services that include an in-house grocery store above and beyond all else that they offer to their guests.
Feel free to contact me if you require additional information regarding the process of finding professional help and resources in the areas of mental health and/or family support. (248) 561-8660 to call or text.
Until next post....