1 00:00:04,559 --> 00:00:08,360 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Therapy for Black Girls Podcasts, a weekly 2 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:13,160 Speaker 1: conversation about mental health, personal development, and all the small 3 00:00:13,200 --> 00:00:16,400 Speaker 1: decisions we can make to become the best possible versions 4 00:00:16,400 --> 00:00:20,599 Speaker 1: of ourselves. I'm your host, Dr Joy Hard and Bradford, 5 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:25,640 Speaker 1: a licensed psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia. To get more information, 6 00:00:26,239 --> 00:00:30,040 Speaker 1: visit the website at Therapy for Black Girls dot com. 7 00:00:30,040 --> 00:00:32,920 Speaker 1: And while I hope you love listening to and learning 8 00:00:32,960 --> 00:00:35,600 Speaker 1: from the podcast, it is not meant to be a 9 00:00:35,640 --> 00:00:45,600 Speaker 1: substitute for a relationship with a licensed mental health professional. Hey, y'all, 10 00:00:46,040 --> 00:00:48,760 Speaker 1: welcome to session sixty one of the Therapy for Black 11 00:00:48,800 --> 00:00:52,760 Speaker 1: Girls Podcasts. Many of you have probably heard about virtual 12 00:00:52,840 --> 00:00:56,440 Speaker 1: therapy as another way to work with the therapist, so 13 00:00:56,480 --> 00:00:59,000 Speaker 1: I wanted to make sure you had all the details 14 00:00:59,080 --> 00:01:01,880 Speaker 1: you needed to decide whether this might be something that 15 00:01:01,920 --> 00:01:06,400 Speaker 1: works for you. Today, I'm joined by Melissa Douglas, who 16 00:01:06,440 --> 00:01:11,120 Speaker 1: has an entirely virtual practice in St. Louis. Melissa is 17 00:01:11,160 --> 00:01:15,959 Speaker 1: the sole distance counselor and owner of Gold Driven Counseling, LLLC, 18 00:01:17,080 --> 00:01:21,000 Speaker 1: a private tele mental health counseling practice where she supports 19 00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:27,080 Speaker 1: teens and millennials through challenging educational, career and life transitions 20 00:01:27,080 --> 00:01:32,319 Speaker 1: through secure video conferencing. She is a native of Chicago, Illinois, 21 00:01:32,800 --> 00:01:36,600 Speaker 1: who has called St. Louis, Missouri, home for almost a decade. 22 00:01:37,360 --> 00:01:40,240 Speaker 1: She is a proud Triton who received a Bachelor's of 23 00:01:40,319 --> 00:01:44,600 Speaker 1: Social Work degree, Master of Social Work degree, and also 24 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:49,280 Speaker 1: a certificate and Nonprofit Management and Leadership from the University 25 00:01:49,280 --> 00:01:53,280 Speaker 1: of Missouri St. Louis. She is a licensed clinical social 26 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:58,200 Speaker 1: worker and a distance credential counselor who has diverse volunteer 27 00:01:58,360 --> 00:02:03,240 Speaker 1: and work experience with youth and juvenile detention, community based 28 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:08,720 Speaker 1: and educational settings. In addition to private practice, she also 29 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:12,480 Speaker 1: works on the clinical team serving adults in a psychiatric 30 00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:17,080 Speaker 1: hospital setting. Melissa and I discuss some of the differences 31 00:02:17,120 --> 00:02:21,480 Speaker 1: between traditional and virtual therapy, how you can decide if 32 00:02:21,480 --> 00:02:25,080 Speaker 1: it's right for you, how to find a virtual therapist, 33 00:02:25,760 --> 00:02:29,040 Speaker 1: and she shared all of her favorite apps for mental wellness. 34 00:02:29,919 --> 00:02:32,799 Speaker 1: If you hear information that you think others also need 35 00:02:32,840 --> 00:02:35,560 Speaker 1: to know, please make sure to share it on social 36 00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:41,600 Speaker 1: media using the hashtag TBG in session. Here's our conversation. 37 00:02:42,040 --> 00:02:45,120 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for joining us today, Melissa, Thank 38 00:02:45,120 --> 00:02:47,720 Speaker 1: you for having me. Dr Joy. I'm very happy you 39 00:02:47,720 --> 00:02:50,079 Speaker 1: were able to join us today. Because I know there 40 00:02:50,080 --> 00:02:52,720 Speaker 1: have been a lot of questions about people look looking 41 00:02:52,720 --> 00:02:55,840 Speaker 1: for virtual therapy or if they live like in a 42 00:02:55,880 --> 00:02:58,280 Speaker 1: town that's further from a big city and they're not 43 00:02:58,440 --> 00:03:02,160 Speaker 1: like a lot of therapists there. People are wanting to know, Um, 44 00:03:02,240 --> 00:03:05,000 Speaker 1: you know, do therapists offer virtual options? So I know 45 00:03:05,080 --> 00:03:09,560 Speaker 1: that you have a completely online practice at this point, correct, Yes, 46 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:12,040 Speaker 1: so you are the perfect person to talk with us 47 00:03:12,040 --> 00:03:14,959 Speaker 1: about some of these concerns. So first, can you tell 48 00:03:15,040 --> 00:03:17,840 Speaker 1: us a little bit about what virtual therapy is and 49 00:03:17,880 --> 00:03:21,960 Speaker 1: how it might be different from traditional therapy. Yes, so 50 00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:25,359 Speaker 1: it's very basic, and so we're gonna talk about just 51 00:03:25,400 --> 00:03:28,600 Speaker 1: basically tele mental health and virtual therapy because there's a 52 00:03:28,639 --> 00:03:31,920 Speaker 1: whole other section of just tele medicine that covers a 53 00:03:31,919 --> 00:03:35,640 Speaker 1: lot of different professionals. But tell mental health is really 54 00:03:36,120 --> 00:03:39,160 Speaker 1: when the clinician and the client are in different physical 55 00:03:39,200 --> 00:03:43,320 Speaker 1: locations using technology to communicate pretty much, and so it's 56 00:03:43,360 --> 00:03:48,320 Speaker 1: referred to as etherrapy, virtual therapy, online therapy, and distance counseling. 57 00:03:48,760 --> 00:03:52,000 Speaker 1: And what I tell my clients is during our virtual 58 00:03:52,120 --> 00:03:56,440 Speaker 1: counseling or virtual therapy sessions, we can do almost everything 59 00:03:56,480 --> 00:03:58,600 Speaker 1: other than I can't handle a tissue. If you start 60 00:03:58,640 --> 00:04:02,720 Speaker 1: to cry that UM time and I can't be a 61 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:06,240 Speaker 1: physical support UM in a crisis. But because I use 62 00:04:06,360 --> 00:04:10,760 Speaker 1: all video and an actual platform design for telehealth UM, 63 00:04:10,800 --> 00:04:13,680 Speaker 1: it helps me to have the same relationship and report 64 00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:16,839 Speaker 1: to be developed and resources to be used. Because I 65 00:04:16,839 --> 00:04:18,840 Speaker 1: can share my screen with people so we can work 66 00:04:18,839 --> 00:04:23,279 Speaker 1: through resources and things together and actually see worksheets and 67 00:04:23,320 --> 00:04:25,919 Speaker 1: stuff like that, I can have more than one person 68 00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:29,400 Speaker 1: in a session with me. So couples counseling or family 69 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:34,520 Speaker 1: counseling can be just the same as as traditional therapy UM. 70 00:04:34,560 --> 00:04:36,560 Speaker 1: But when you talk about tele mental health, there are 71 00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:40,760 Speaker 1: other options other than video, So you have phone counseling 72 00:04:40,920 --> 00:04:45,040 Speaker 1: as well as a synchronous methods such as email and 73 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:47,920 Speaker 1: text based counseling. And so all that means is that 74 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:52,039 Speaker 1: you and the therapists are not live communicating. So you 75 00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:54,000 Speaker 1: may send a message and you have to wait until 76 00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:56,680 Speaker 1: the counseling therapists can respond to that and then you 77 00:04:56,720 --> 00:04:59,400 Speaker 1: go back and forth that way UM. And so with 78 00:04:59,440 --> 00:05:01,360 Speaker 1: those method it is there has to be a confort 79 00:05:01,360 --> 00:05:04,279 Speaker 1: with communicating feelings and thoughts in a in a written format. 80 00:05:04,880 --> 00:05:07,800 Speaker 1: But the largest difference is that the responsibility of ensuring 81 00:05:07,880 --> 00:05:11,039 Speaker 1: privacy of the session is a little bit more shifted 82 00:05:11,200 --> 00:05:14,479 Speaker 1: to the client because they're in their own space. But 83 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:17,520 Speaker 1: I always share that tele mental health isn't better or 84 00:05:17,640 --> 00:05:22,680 Speaker 1: superior methods to traditional counseling. It's really all about appropriateness 85 00:05:22,760 --> 00:05:28,000 Speaker 1: and preference. So it sounds like it's very similar to 86 00:05:28,680 --> 00:05:31,200 Speaker 1: coming into the office for therapy, except that you might 87 00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:36,280 Speaker 1: be in your home, like in pajama bottoms. Absolutely, So 88 00:05:36,360 --> 00:05:38,960 Speaker 1: what kind of feedback have you gotten from your clients, 89 00:05:39,040 --> 00:05:42,240 Speaker 1: Melissa about whether it be um, you know, like like 90 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:45,760 Speaker 1: it better or worse than traditional therapy? Like, what kind 91 00:05:45,760 --> 00:05:48,320 Speaker 1: of feedback have you gotten? Yeah, and so again, like 92 00:05:48,360 --> 00:05:50,520 Speaker 1: I said, it's all about preference. But I received a 93 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:54,279 Speaker 1: lot of great feedback from my clients because again, because 94 00:05:54,279 --> 00:05:57,600 Speaker 1: I use the video base, we really are able to 95 00:05:57,720 --> 00:06:01,000 Speaker 1: establish the same relationship and report because we can still 96 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:04,720 Speaker 1: see and feel each other's personality, we can hear the tonality, 97 00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:07,360 Speaker 1: and we can see affects from each other, and so 98 00:06:07,440 --> 00:06:10,640 Speaker 1: it's a little bit more than just communicating in a 99 00:06:10,680 --> 00:06:14,960 Speaker 1: written format, and so we're able to really build that relationship. 100 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:18,919 Speaker 1: They also enjoy the flexibility it allows in their schedules, 101 00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:21,880 Speaker 1: as well as the convenance of just having to log 102 00:06:21,960 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 1: on and I'm right there. They don't have to travel 103 00:06:24,880 --> 00:06:27,839 Speaker 1: or really fitted into their schedule in addition to travel 104 00:06:27,880 --> 00:06:30,160 Speaker 1: and things like that. But I always share with people 105 00:06:30,160 --> 00:06:34,479 Speaker 1: who are a little bit unsure about telehealth because you know, honestly, 106 00:06:34,480 --> 00:06:36,920 Speaker 1: it's it's still a fairly new thing. It's been around 107 00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:39,800 Speaker 1: for about thirty years. And we talked about the telemedicine space, 108 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:43,920 Speaker 1: but for tele mental health, I think it's gaining more 109 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:46,680 Speaker 1: traction in the last like ten years and more visibility. 110 00:06:47,160 --> 00:06:50,240 Speaker 1: And so I always tell people that it's been researched 111 00:06:50,279 --> 00:06:53,760 Speaker 1: for effectiveness. And so in the early two thousands, there 112 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:56,640 Speaker 1: were a lot of different studies done, but a couple 113 00:06:56,720 --> 00:06:58,800 Speaker 1: that I like and that I like to share is 114 00:06:58,839 --> 00:07:01,200 Speaker 1: that UM in two thousand want to study was conducted 115 00:07:01,240 --> 00:07:04,479 Speaker 1: by the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University here in St. Louis, 116 00:07:05,080 --> 00:07:08,760 Speaker 1: and show that that patients quickly adapt an established report 117 00:07:08,880 --> 00:07:12,480 Speaker 1: because the basis of relationship building UM is there with 118 00:07:12,760 --> 00:07:15,160 Speaker 1: tell A Health. And then there was another one, another 119 00:07:15,160 --> 00:07:18,000 Speaker 1: study built in two thousand and five by a psychologist 120 00:07:18,040 --> 00:07:22,080 Speaker 1: from Northwestern University who conducted trials that showed that clients 121 00:07:22,120 --> 00:07:25,560 Speaker 1: living with depression tended to stand counseling longer and star 122 00:07:25,560 --> 00:07:28,840 Speaker 1: a larger reduction and symptoms by participating in phone counseling. 123 00:07:29,200 --> 00:07:31,360 Speaker 1: And so, you know, I like people to know that 124 00:07:31,400 --> 00:07:35,360 Speaker 1: there is research um back to the effectiveness of of 125 00:07:35,400 --> 00:07:38,280 Speaker 1: tle mental health and virtual therapy. Yeah, I mean, and 126 00:07:38,280 --> 00:07:40,760 Speaker 1: I'm glad you brought that up, right, because that is 127 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:43,960 Speaker 1: I think another benefit of virtual therapy is, you know, 128 00:07:44,080 --> 00:07:47,680 Speaker 1: sometimes one of the more significant symptoms of depression is 129 00:07:47,720 --> 00:07:49,960 Speaker 1: like not wanting to move and not wanting to leave 130 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:52,840 Speaker 1: your house. So if you can talk with your therapist 131 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:56,920 Speaker 1: via you know, your laptop or your tablet, then you 132 00:07:56,960 --> 00:07:59,360 Speaker 1: can still participate in treatment. And you know, made me 133 00:08:00,040 --> 00:08:02,520 Speaker 1: see some benefits from the treatment that you wouldn't have 134 00:08:02,600 --> 00:08:05,160 Speaker 1: if you, you know, stay at home. Yeah. Absolutely, as 135 00:08:05,200 --> 00:08:07,200 Speaker 1: well as the social anxieties as well. And we know 136 00:08:07,240 --> 00:08:10,200 Speaker 1: that that's the largest mental health illness in the world 137 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:12,520 Speaker 1: and so or at least we'll say in the US. 138 00:08:12,640 --> 00:08:16,760 Speaker 1: And so that's also a great benefit as well. And 139 00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:18,800 Speaker 1: I think it is important for us to mention that 140 00:08:18,960 --> 00:08:22,480 Speaker 1: this is not um jumping on face time with your therapist, right, 141 00:08:22,560 --> 00:08:25,040 Speaker 1: So it's not like your therapist will just FaceTime call 142 00:08:25,160 --> 00:08:28,240 Speaker 1: you and you just answer these are very um or 143 00:08:28,360 --> 00:08:31,720 Speaker 1: at least your therapist should be using hip A compliance 144 00:08:31,880 --> 00:08:38,600 Speaker 1: software and platforms that will increase the security of the session. Correct, absolutely, yes, yeah, 145 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:41,319 Speaker 1: so there are precautions that your therapist should be taking. 146 00:08:41,320 --> 00:08:43,760 Speaker 1: But like you mentioned, um, you know, like if you 147 00:08:43,800 --> 00:08:46,319 Speaker 1: decide to have your session and you know your partner 148 00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:49,400 Speaker 1: is like right next to you, then you are compromising 149 00:08:49,440 --> 00:08:53,079 Speaker 1: your own confidentiality. But your therapist is taking the precautions 150 00:08:53,120 --> 00:08:56,200 Speaker 1: they need to make sure the session is safe. Yes, absolutely, 151 00:08:56,679 --> 00:09:00,040 Speaker 1: got you. Okay, So what kinds of consideration should that 152 00:09:00,200 --> 00:09:03,600 Speaker 1: somebody consider if they're thinking about virtual therapy, Like what 153 00:09:03,679 --> 00:09:06,520 Speaker 1: kinds of things might they want to think about? Yes, 154 00:09:06,679 --> 00:09:10,480 Speaker 1: so I definitely always say that the virtual therapy is 155 00:09:10,559 --> 00:09:14,240 Speaker 1: just the method in which we're doing the actual therapy, 156 00:09:14,320 --> 00:09:17,160 Speaker 1: But you definitely want to consider the expertise of the 157 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:20,120 Speaker 1: clinician and if their focus is what you need um, 158 00:09:20,160 --> 00:09:24,439 Speaker 1: And so you want to make sure that that the 159 00:09:24,480 --> 00:09:27,080 Speaker 1: actual option is not the main thing um and that 160 00:09:27,200 --> 00:09:30,760 Speaker 1: the person if you're experience and depression or anxiety, that 161 00:09:30,760 --> 00:09:34,240 Speaker 1: that actual clinician that's offering the virtual therapy specializes in 162 00:09:34,320 --> 00:09:39,520 Speaker 1: those things. Another huge thing because of the the lack 163 00:09:39,559 --> 00:09:42,199 Speaker 1: of geographical barriers with tell a mental health. UM, you 164 00:09:42,280 --> 00:09:44,319 Speaker 1: want to make sure that the clinician is licensed in 165 00:09:44,360 --> 00:09:48,480 Speaker 1: the state that you reside in, because it's legally required UM. 166 00:09:48,520 --> 00:09:50,520 Speaker 1: And so that's the misconception that a lot of people 167 00:09:50,520 --> 00:09:52,800 Speaker 1: have is that because we can just use our phones 168 00:09:52,880 --> 00:09:55,040 Speaker 1: or computers and things like that, that we can work 169 00:09:55,040 --> 00:10:00,000 Speaker 1: with anybody, and that's not true. UM. Excuse me. Also, 170 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:03,479 Speaker 1: all I tell people to do a real self assessment 171 00:10:03,520 --> 00:10:05,800 Speaker 1: and consider if they would be comfortable seeing someone from 172 00:10:05,800 --> 00:10:09,600 Speaker 1: a distance UM again, because the comfort and the impact 173 00:10:09,679 --> 00:10:13,319 Speaker 1: of a separate therapeutic space is really important to some people, 174 00:10:13,840 --> 00:10:17,720 Speaker 1: and so UM as well as thinking about if you 175 00:10:17,760 --> 00:10:21,000 Speaker 1: have a support person that is is near and accessible 176 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:24,080 Speaker 1: if there is ever an emergency situation. And so that's 177 00:10:24,080 --> 00:10:28,440 Speaker 1: not something that was mentioned yet, but emergency planning is 178 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:31,720 Speaker 1: something that is very important when it comes to TELL 179 00:10:31,840 --> 00:10:35,400 Speaker 1: mental health because if a client were to experience that 180 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:38,800 Speaker 1: sometimes some suicidal thoughts or things like that, there has 181 00:10:38,840 --> 00:10:41,200 Speaker 1: to be an emergency management plan in place that that 182 00:10:41,400 --> 00:10:45,600 Speaker 1: usually includes a emergency support person near UM to kind 183 00:10:45,600 --> 00:10:49,280 Speaker 1: of triage that with the with the therapist, and then 184 00:10:49,559 --> 00:10:52,840 Speaker 1: UM clients should be to feel free to ask if 185 00:10:52,840 --> 00:10:56,480 Speaker 1: they're tele mental health UM therapist or counselor has completed 186 00:10:56,520 --> 00:10:59,640 Speaker 1: any training, and so some states required and some don't 187 00:10:59,679 --> 00:11:02,000 Speaker 1: even you also share that you know, it's not just 188 00:11:02,120 --> 00:11:05,920 Speaker 1: jumping on a FaceTime call, UM, and it really speaks 189 00:11:05,960 --> 00:11:08,760 Speaker 1: to the clinician operating in their areas of competence, which 190 00:11:08,800 --> 00:11:11,120 Speaker 1: is a safeguard for the client, and the client should 191 00:11:11,120 --> 00:11:16,120 Speaker 1: be comfortable and aware of talking about that with the clinician. Yeah, 192 00:11:16,320 --> 00:11:18,760 Speaker 1: like you said, all the states don't require it, but 193 00:11:19,040 --> 00:11:21,120 Speaker 1: you know, it does feel like most therapists who are 194 00:11:21,120 --> 00:11:25,000 Speaker 1: doing a significant amount of virtual therapy or tele mental 195 00:11:25,040 --> 00:11:28,200 Speaker 1: health have completed at least some like trainings and UM 196 00:11:28,280 --> 00:11:32,480 Speaker 1: maybe even some additional certifications. Yes, yeah, So can you 197 00:11:32,520 --> 00:11:35,120 Speaker 1: talk a little bit more about the emergency planning because 198 00:11:35,120 --> 00:11:37,160 Speaker 1: I know that that is something that often comes up 199 00:11:37,160 --> 00:11:39,720 Speaker 1: and I think something that um, you know, frightens some 200 00:11:39,920 --> 00:11:42,800 Speaker 1: therapists away from maybe wanting to do tele mental health 201 00:11:42,880 --> 00:11:44,440 Speaker 1: is like, Okay, what do I do in case of 202 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:46,560 Speaker 1: an emergency? So can you talk a little bit about 203 00:11:46,559 --> 00:11:49,640 Speaker 1: what that process is like with you and your clients. Yes, So, 204 00:11:49,679 --> 00:11:52,280 Speaker 1: assessment of fit is very important, and so when a 205 00:11:52,360 --> 00:11:55,640 Speaker 1: client contacts me for a consultation we're having that initial call, 206 00:11:56,040 --> 00:11:59,680 Speaker 1: I'm usually doing a brief assessment at that time, and 207 00:11:59,800 --> 00:12:02,480 Speaker 1: so I'm assessing if they are at high risk of 208 00:12:02,559 --> 00:12:07,600 Speaker 1: currently having suicidal thoughts or have had a plan or intent. 209 00:12:08,080 --> 00:12:11,959 Speaker 1: I'm I'm also assessing for any homicidal ideation, any active 210 00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:16,760 Speaker 1: substance use, UM, any delusions around technology. And so that means, UM, 211 00:12:17,080 --> 00:12:21,319 Speaker 1: some people experience thoughts and things that UM someone is 212 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:23,360 Speaker 1: spine on them through their computer or things like that. 213 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:26,760 Speaker 1: So that wouldn't be comfortable in a therapeutic space if 214 00:12:26,760 --> 00:12:30,720 Speaker 1: that's UH some concerns as well as some complex traumas. 215 00:12:30,800 --> 00:12:33,240 Speaker 1: And so those are some things that I that I 216 00:12:33,320 --> 00:12:36,240 Speaker 1: quickly assessed for in a consultation within also through the 217 00:12:36,280 --> 00:12:40,640 Speaker 1: assessment phase. And so with the emergency planning, I share 218 00:12:40,679 --> 00:12:43,599 Speaker 1: with clients that if any UH safety issue were to 219 00:12:43,679 --> 00:12:46,960 Speaker 1: come up, and we'll just speak about the suicidal thoughts 220 00:12:46,960 --> 00:12:49,079 Speaker 1: and things like that, if that was to ever be 221 00:12:49,360 --> 00:12:52,880 Speaker 1: UM a concern, then I definitely openly share with them 222 00:12:52,960 --> 00:12:56,600 Speaker 1: that is my ethical responsibility to UH call the police 223 00:12:56,640 --> 00:12:58,800 Speaker 1: to do a wellness check and things like that. But 224 00:12:58,840 --> 00:13:02,240 Speaker 1: I also wanted to UM a little bit more comfortable 225 00:13:02,280 --> 00:13:04,880 Speaker 1: for them too, and so we talk about any support 226 00:13:04,960 --> 00:13:07,880 Speaker 1: people that they have in their life that has quick 227 00:13:07,960 --> 00:13:09,960 Speaker 1: access to them. And so if it is a spouse, 228 00:13:09,960 --> 00:13:12,080 Speaker 1: where if it is a parent, that they would give 229 00:13:12,080 --> 00:13:14,960 Speaker 1: me permission to disclose and contact them and say that 230 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:19,080 Speaker 1: I am their therapists and they are having UM a 231 00:13:19,200 --> 00:13:21,120 Speaker 1: very hard time right now and if they could check 232 00:13:21,160 --> 00:13:23,959 Speaker 1: on them. I remain on the phone or in a 233 00:13:24,040 --> 00:13:26,160 Speaker 1: session with my client during that time, but then I 234 00:13:26,200 --> 00:13:29,679 Speaker 1: also triage with the support person as well. Okay, So 235 00:13:29,720 --> 00:13:31,600 Speaker 1: it is very similar to what you would do if 236 00:13:31,640 --> 00:13:35,040 Speaker 1: you were meeting with the person in your office. Absolutely, 237 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:37,320 Speaker 1: but unfortunately they have the ability to hang up and 238 00:13:37,320 --> 00:13:40,760 Speaker 1: disconnect the right thing that they could. You know, they 239 00:13:40,840 --> 00:13:42,920 Speaker 1: have the options to leave your office too, Like I've 240 00:13:42,920 --> 00:13:45,400 Speaker 1: had clients that leave, you know, like just abruptly in 241 00:13:45,440 --> 00:13:47,240 Speaker 1: the session if you know things are not going the 242 00:13:47,240 --> 00:13:48,920 Speaker 1: way they want or something. So I mean, so there's 243 00:13:48,920 --> 00:13:53,520 Speaker 1: still that option even in real life. That's true. Yeah, 244 00:13:53,640 --> 00:13:57,920 Speaker 1: So Melissa, does UM insurance pay for virtual therapy? Yes, 245 00:13:58,120 --> 00:14:03,720 Speaker 1: there are many insurance companies that pay for pay for 246 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:07,800 Speaker 1: virtual therapy and usually equivalent to the cost of traditional 247 00:14:08,160 --> 00:14:10,960 Speaker 1: but it varies state to state, and it also varies 248 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:14,160 Speaker 1: between insurance companies as well, And so I always tell 249 00:14:14,200 --> 00:14:16,280 Speaker 1: people that the best thing to do is to contact 250 00:14:16,320 --> 00:14:22,320 Speaker 1: there ensure to ask about the details of their specific plan, okay, okay, 251 00:14:22,400 --> 00:14:25,560 Speaker 1: And so if that is something that is UM gonna 252 00:14:25,600 --> 00:14:27,920 Speaker 1: be like a priority, like if using your insurance is 253 00:14:27,960 --> 00:14:31,200 Speaker 1: a priority, then checking with your insurance company probably is 254 00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:34,280 Speaker 1: the first place you want to start. Yes. Absolutely. And 255 00:14:34,320 --> 00:14:37,400 Speaker 1: are there other places that people could go to find 256 00:14:37,520 --> 00:14:41,080 Speaker 1: therapists who UM offer virtual therapy? Like is there a 257 00:14:41,160 --> 00:14:43,360 Speaker 1: directory that lists people? Like where would you go to 258 00:14:43,400 --> 00:14:47,120 Speaker 1: find a therapist who practices virtual therapy? Yeah? So there 259 00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:50,240 Speaker 1: are there are many directories on one, I mean therapy 260 00:14:50,240 --> 00:14:53,320 Speaker 1: for Black Girls yours, many of the clinicians specify if 261 00:14:53,360 --> 00:14:58,840 Speaker 1: they offer virtual counseling. Also on Psychology Today dot com UM, 262 00:14:58,920 --> 00:15:03,800 Speaker 1: that's something that people specified. There are specific UM directories 263 00:15:03,840 --> 00:15:05,640 Speaker 1: as well that are coming out that a little bit 264 00:15:05,760 --> 00:15:11,640 Speaker 1: UM newer for UM clinicians that provide virtual therapy. I'm 265 00:15:11,640 --> 00:15:14,000 Speaker 1: not a part of any of those UM. But then 266 00:15:14,080 --> 00:15:17,520 Speaker 1: you also have the open Path collective with when you 267 00:15:17,560 --> 00:15:20,840 Speaker 1: have people that need discounted options UM. You can also 268 00:15:20,880 --> 00:15:24,040 Speaker 1: act your primary care physician UM, as well as contact 269 00:15:24,040 --> 00:15:27,400 Speaker 1: and insurance companies as well. But I think when you're 270 00:15:27,400 --> 00:15:32,800 Speaker 1: looking for um A therapists who only provides virtual therapy, 271 00:15:32,960 --> 00:15:35,960 Speaker 1: that's the main route that you want. There are also 272 00:15:36,040 --> 00:15:39,800 Speaker 1: just a lot of companies that are becoming larger that 273 00:15:39,880 --> 00:15:43,240 Speaker 1: provides that as a as a basis. So I think 274 00:15:43,280 --> 00:15:46,560 Speaker 1: now just traditional therapists like they are specifying if they 275 00:15:46,640 --> 00:15:49,960 Speaker 1: offer teletherapy and addition, but then you have some of 276 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:54,440 Speaker 1: those bigger companies as well that that's their main focus online. Okay, 277 00:15:54,480 --> 00:15:56,480 Speaker 1: so we're definitely gonna talk about it. I'm guessing you're 278 00:15:56,480 --> 00:15:59,120 Speaker 1: referring to like talk Space and Better Help and seven 279 00:15:59,120 --> 00:16:02,320 Speaker 1: Cups of Tea, like the kinds of companies. Okay, So 280 00:16:02,560 --> 00:16:04,440 Speaker 1: before we get there, though, I do want to kind 281 00:16:04,440 --> 00:16:06,720 Speaker 1: of talk a little bit about um like pricing in 282 00:16:06,880 --> 00:16:10,400 Speaker 1: terms of virtual therapy, because I think that they're for 283 00:16:10,520 --> 00:16:13,400 Speaker 1: some people there could be the idea that, oh, it's virtual, 284 00:16:13,480 --> 00:16:15,680 Speaker 1: so it's likely not going to be the same price 285 00:16:15,760 --> 00:16:19,200 Speaker 1: as coming into UM your traditional office. And so what 286 00:16:19,280 --> 00:16:22,360 Speaker 1: are your thoughts about that. Yeah, so, as I mentioned earlier, 287 00:16:22,400 --> 00:16:25,720 Speaker 1: you're still um tell a tele therapy and virtual therapy 288 00:16:25,840 --> 00:16:28,920 Speaker 1: is is just the method in which you're um participating 289 00:16:28,960 --> 00:16:32,000 Speaker 1: in therapy, but you are still, Uh, what you're paying 290 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:34,560 Speaker 1: for is the expertise and the skill and the time 291 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:38,520 Speaker 1: with your therapists. And so those counsel sessions, and I'll 292 00:16:38,560 --> 00:16:41,280 Speaker 1: speak for myself, are still an hour session and so 293 00:16:41,680 --> 00:16:43,680 Speaker 1: I am sectioning off an hour of my time, are 294 00:16:43,720 --> 00:16:46,920 Speaker 1: dedicating an hour of my time to my client for 295 00:16:47,160 --> 00:16:51,080 Speaker 1: their for their session. And so telehealth is going to 296 00:16:51,160 --> 00:16:55,720 Speaker 1: be about the same as traditional therapy UM. And then 297 00:16:56,320 --> 00:16:59,240 Speaker 1: as we see with with many different therapists, like we 298 00:16:59,320 --> 00:17:02,480 Speaker 1: have different fees as well, and some you can find 299 00:17:02,520 --> 00:17:04,639 Speaker 1: a little bit more of a lower rate and some 300 00:17:04,840 --> 00:17:08,280 Speaker 1: may be higher UM. But it's it's more it's not 301 00:17:08,320 --> 00:17:11,560 Speaker 1: necessarily going to be lower because you're still paying for 302 00:17:11,960 --> 00:17:15,320 Speaker 1: the time and the skill of that clinician. Yeah. And 303 00:17:15,359 --> 00:17:17,480 Speaker 1: that's where I think some of the confusion may come, 304 00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:21,160 Speaker 1: like with like talk space and better Help UM, because 305 00:17:21,200 --> 00:17:24,040 Speaker 1: those fees are typically lower, right. But that also I 306 00:17:24,080 --> 00:17:26,639 Speaker 1: know that they have like different plans sometimes like you 307 00:17:26,680 --> 00:17:30,240 Speaker 1: can do the text messaging UM, or you could do video, 308 00:17:30,960 --> 00:17:34,080 Speaker 1: but their fees likely still are not as high as 309 00:17:34,119 --> 00:17:36,560 Speaker 1: you would if you were just going with a traditional 310 00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:40,200 Speaker 1: therapist who offers virtual therapy. Yeah. Absolutely, And I think 311 00:17:40,200 --> 00:17:42,960 Speaker 1: that can be misleading sometimes because some of those lower 312 00:17:43,040 --> 00:17:46,639 Speaker 1: fees are talking to more of those written formats and 313 00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:49,960 Speaker 1: it's all the text based therapy based therapy where you 314 00:17:50,040 --> 00:17:53,840 Speaker 1: don't have to necessarily dedicate that our space UM to 315 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:57,040 Speaker 1: that client. UM. It definitely does take time to construct 316 00:17:57,080 --> 00:18:01,160 Speaker 1: some of those UM written message and responses and things, 317 00:18:01,200 --> 00:18:03,920 Speaker 1: because again you have to communicate in a written form 318 00:18:04,040 --> 00:18:07,760 Speaker 1: that expertise and that skill UM to that client. But 319 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:10,639 Speaker 1: some of those lower fees that they advertise, I think 320 00:18:10,680 --> 00:18:14,560 Speaker 1: it's it's more geared towards that tech based therapy because 321 00:18:14,560 --> 00:18:17,920 Speaker 1: with some like talk Space and Better and Breakthrough UM 322 00:18:17,960 --> 00:18:20,960 Speaker 1: and Better Health as well, they also offer video and 323 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:27,080 Speaker 1: it's about average to what traditional therapists charge. Okay, okay, 324 00:18:27,480 --> 00:18:29,920 Speaker 1: So while we're talking about that, let's just move into 325 00:18:29,960 --> 00:18:33,000 Speaker 1: talking about UM and not necessarily about any platform and 326 00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:36,800 Speaker 1: specific but in general, like all of those platforms offer 327 00:18:36,880 --> 00:18:40,320 Speaker 1: similar kinds of things. So what are your thoughts about, 328 00:18:40,359 --> 00:18:42,919 Speaker 1: you know, like people reaching out or working to working 329 00:18:42,960 --> 00:18:45,440 Speaker 1: with therapists through any of those platforms. Do you feel 330 00:18:45,440 --> 00:18:49,240 Speaker 1: like those are good choices for people to explore? Yes, 331 00:18:49,320 --> 00:18:51,280 Speaker 1: I think they can be good choices as long as 332 00:18:51,280 --> 00:18:55,040 Speaker 1: you're knowledgeable about what you're participated in UM and so 333 00:18:55,160 --> 00:18:58,160 Speaker 1: full disclosure, I per I was a therapist through one 334 00:18:58,160 --> 00:19:01,440 Speaker 1: of the online platform arms before and and a very 335 00:19:01,480 --> 00:19:05,199 Speaker 1: good experience. But some concerns that arise is that with 336 00:19:05,440 --> 00:19:08,399 Speaker 1: some of them they do random matches to a therapist, 337 00:19:08,680 --> 00:19:10,520 Speaker 1: which means that they have like a little bit of 338 00:19:10,600 --> 00:19:12,879 Speaker 1: a virtual assistant that takes some of the background and 339 00:19:12,920 --> 00:19:16,879 Speaker 1: assessment information and then they randomly match them to a therapist. 340 00:19:17,200 --> 00:19:19,919 Speaker 1: And so what I was seeing that was happening often 341 00:19:20,200 --> 00:19:22,359 Speaker 1: was that I was being assigned clients that were not 342 00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:25,040 Speaker 1: in state with me. And as I mentioned earlier, UM, 343 00:19:25,080 --> 00:19:28,240 Speaker 1: that's something that I'm legally required to UM be bound 344 00:19:28,280 --> 00:19:32,359 Speaker 1: to with the exception of international clients and so and 345 00:19:32,520 --> 00:19:35,800 Speaker 1: tell the mental health there are no international regulations and 346 00:19:35,880 --> 00:19:38,680 Speaker 1: so you can't have clients in other countries and things 347 00:19:38,720 --> 00:19:41,840 Speaker 1: like that, but other states you cannot. And so I 348 00:19:41,880 --> 00:19:45,120 Speaker 1: think they can be good choices as long as UM 349 00:19:45,280 --> 00:19:47,280 Speaker 1: clients are able to do a little bit of that 350 00:19:47,359 --> 00:19:50,400 Speaker 1: background research on the clinician and still see what their 351 00:19:50,440 --> 00:19:53,919 Speaker 1: expertise is, still see where they are located UM and 352 00:19:53,960 --> 00:19:57,120 Speaker 1: make sure that they are getting the service and things 353 00:19:57,119 --> 00:20:00,280 Speaker 1: that they that they wanted, that they need and that 354 00:20:00,480 --> 00:20:02,960 Speaker 1: is important to pay attention to. I mean probably more 355 00:20:03,560 --> 00:20:06,600 Speaker 1: of a concern for the therapist providing the services right 356 00:20:06,640 --> 00:20:10,840 Speaker 1: that they're making sure they're practicing ethnically. Um. But you 357 00:20:11,040 --> 00:20:13,359 Speaker 1: as the client also want to be aware of like 358 00:20:13,400 --> 00:20:15,280 Speaker 1: any kinds of things that could come up, you know, 359 00:20:15,359 --> 00:20:18,320 Speaker 1: like if somebody realizes like you're not in their state 360 00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:19,919 Speaker 1: and you've been working with them for a while, and 361 00:20:19,920 --> 00:20:22,200 Speaker 1: then there may need to be like an abrupt termination 362 00:20:22,320 --> 00:20:24,280 Speaker 1: or something like that. That those are the kinds of 363 00:20:24,320 --> 00:20:28,760 Speaker 1: things you would want to think about. Yes, absolutely, got you. Okay, 364 00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:31,960 Speaker 1: So Melissa, you mentioned um you know, like you have 365 00:20:32,320 --> 00:20:35,320 Speaker 1: a system that allows you to do screen sharing um, 366 00:20:35,359 --> 00:20:37,760 Speaker 1: which sounds really cool, right, Like that's just like when 367 00:20:37,800 --> 00:20:40,240 Speaker 1: we are in our offices using like a white board 368 00:20:40,280 --> 00:20:42,800 Speaker 1: or something to work through an issue with the client. UM. 369 00:20:42,880 --> 00:20:46,920 Speaker 1: So that I think does add another layer of comfort 370 00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:49,399 Speaker 1: and like ability to work with a client by sharing 371 00:20:49,400 --> 00:20:52,239 Speaker 1: your screen. UM. So what kinds of things are you 372 00:20:52,280 --> 00:20:54,600 Speaker 1: typically working with on your clients, Like what is the 373 00:20:54,640 --> 00:20:58,800 Speaker 1: specialty that you use in your practice? Yes, so I 374 00:20:58,920 --> 00:21:02,000 Speaker 1: work a lot with clients to experience and anxiety UM 375 00:21:02,040 --> 00:21:05,160 Speaker 1: as well as depression. I'm seeing a lot of chronic 376 00:21:05,280 --> 00:21:08,520 Speaker 1: stress and and overwhelmed. So stresses is a huge one 377 00:21:08,960 --> 00:21:12,159 Speaker 1: as well as some trauma. And so my background is 378 00:21:12,200 --> 00:21:17,640 Speaker 1: cognitive behavioral therapy as well as very hugely strength focused 379 00:21:17,640 --> 00:21:21,600 Speaker 1: as well as solution UM brief solution focus therapy, and 380 00:21:21,720 --> 00:21:25,840 Speaker 1: so I'm using all of those same skills and interventions 381 00:21:25,840 --> 00:21:28,760 Speaker 1: and things just at a distance. And so it's it's 382 00:21:29,080 --> 00:21:32,400 Speaker 1: better and easier when I can walk a client through 383 00:21:32,440 --> 00:21:36,520 Speaker 1: a particular intervention in using worksheets or UM. There's an 384 00:21:36,560 --> 00:21:39,120 Speaker 1: option on there where they can share journals and things 385 00:21:39,119 --> 00:21:42,280 Speaker 1: with me, and so I'm able to read some things 386 00:21:42,280 --> 00:21:44,240 Speaker 1: that they're doing some homework on that they can share 387 00:21:44,280 --> 00:21:47,560 Speaker 1: with me even in between sessions UM. So that's helpful 388 00:21:47,600 --> 00:21:50,399 Speaker 1: as well. So I'm doing all the same work as 389 00:21:50,440 --> 00:21:53,360 Speaker 1: I would in a traditional office UM, but just providing 390 00:21:53,400 --> 00:21:58,480 Speaker 1: it at a distance. Okay, and you kind of touched 391 00:21:58,520 --> 00:22:00,560 Speaker 1: on this a little bit, but can you go in 392 00:22:00,640 --> 00:22:04,600 Speaker 1: more detailer at anything that you didn't say before. Are 393 00:22:04,640 --> 00:22:11,199 Speaker 1: there certain concerns that would not be appropriate for virtual therapy? Yes, definitely, 394 00:22:11,600 --> 00:22:14,359 Speaker 1: UM higher risks and when I say higher risk for 395 00:22:14,440 --> 00:22:19,280 Speaker 1: suicidal UM thoughts, I would say like currently actively UM 396 00:22:19,359 --> 00:22:23,560 Speaker 1: having suicidal thoughts, and definitely if there is any type 397 00:22:23,560 --> 00:22:27,760 Speaker 1: of a plan UM that would probably not be appropriate 398 00:22:27,840 --> 00:22:31,600 Speaker 1: for distance council again because that safety is what's important 399 00:22:32,119 --> 00:22:35,359 Speaker 1: and so UM, Yes, there are clients who have had 400 00:22:35,480 --> 00:22:39,920 Speaker 1: passed UM thoughts UM of suicide before UM, but they 401 00:22:39,960 --> 00:22:43,080 Speaker 1: have worked through those and don't and they may be 402 00:22:43,320 --> 00:22:45,760 Speaker 1: more passive and not very developed or they're able to 403 00:22:45,800 --> 00:22:50,160 Speaker 1: control them and things like that. And so definitely active 404 00:22:50,240 --> 00:22:56,280 Speaker 1: suicidal thoughts, Definitely active thoughts of homicidal ideation UM, any 405 00:22:56,280 --> 00:23:00,879 Speaker 1: active substance use and that's UH with any therapy UM. 406 00:23:01,200 --> 00:23:05,399 Speaker 1: And again delusions around technology and any real complex trauma 407 00:23:05,480 --> 00:23:09,840 Speaker 1: that that in person UM, just physical space would be 408 00:23:09,880 --> 00:23:13,840 Speaker 1: more important to have. And what what's the issue with 409 00:23:13,880 --> 00:23:19,520 Speaker 1: the active substance abuse, Melissa, So what the active substance abuse? Well, 410 00:23:19,560 --> 00:23:22,800 Speaker 1: again it's it's safety. And so when we're looking at 411 00:23:22,920 --> 00:23:25,800 Speaker 1: at mental health and having talk therapy and things, when 412 00:23:25,800 --> 00:23:29,760 Speaker 1: there's any type of substance abuse so high alcoholism or 413 00:23:29,800 --> 00:23:34,960 Speaker 1: any UM substance abuse like pills and things of that nature, UM, 414 00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:37,919 Speaker 1: we want to make sure that detox um happens first 415 00:23:37,960 --> 00:23:41,879 Speaker 1: and that a person is working towards recovery before we 416 00:23:41,920 --> 00:23:46,000 Speaker 1: can talk about UM can actually engage in really good 417 00:23:46,040 --> 00:23:49,440 Speaker 1: talk therapy because um, we know that substances and things 418 00:23:49,480 --> 00:23:52,639 Speaker 1: alter our thoughts and things of that nature. And again 419 00:23:52,680 --> 00:23:55,560 Speaker 1: because of safety at a distance, if someone is actively 420 00:23:55,880 --> 00:23:59,800 Speaker 1: um using substances, they can actively be doing that, you know, 421 00:24:00,520 --> 00:24:02,880 Speaker 1: during our session or right before the session and things 422 00:24:02,920 --> 00:24:05,920 Speaker 1: like that. And so being able to have a cent 423 00:24:06,200 --> 00:24:11,000 Speaker 1: of alcohol or um anything else and having that real 424 00:24:11,680 --> 00:24:14,600 Speaker 1: good assessment that we can see through video, but it's 425 00:24:14,640 --> 00:24:18,240 Speaker 1: even um more prominent in person. UM is important. But 426 00:24:18,280 --> 00:24:21,640 Speaker 1: again just with the the safety and the altering of 427 00:24:22,480 --> 00:24:24,640 Speaker 1: the mind, we we don't want to engage in that 428 00:24:24,720 --> 00:24:28,400 Speaker 1: if there's active substitutes. Got you? So an active you mean, 429 00:24:28,560 --> 00:24:30,920 Speaker 1: like like you just said, like may have a drink 430 00:24:31,040 --> 00:24:35,119 Speaker 1: or something right before session? Yes, got you? Okay, Okay, 431 00:24:35,240 --> 00:24:37,399 Speaker 1: So my listen, do you have any upcoming events or 432 00:24:37,440 --> 00:24:40,280 Speaker 1: anything going on that you'd like to share more information about. 433 00:24:41,359 --> 00:24:43,399 Speaker 1: I'm in the midst of developing what I'm calling the 434 00:24:43,560 --> 00:24:47,480 Speaker 1: Goal Driven Students College Tour, and so again higher education 435 00:24:47,760 --> 00:24:51,120 Speaker 1: and students in that um age rant is something that's 436 00:24:51,160 --> 00:24:53,960 Speaker 1: really important to me. And so with the Goal Driven 437 00:24:54,000 --> 00:24:57,200 Speaker 1: Students College Tour UM, the mission is really to visit 438 00:24:57,240 --> 00:25:01,840 Speaker 1: as many institutions of higher education within Illinois and Missouri 439 00:25:02,080 --> 00:25:04,639 Speaker 1: to educate about mental health and tele mental health as 440 00:25:04,680 --> 00:25:09,080 Speaker 1: an option. And so what I've been finding and and 441 00:25:09,520 --> 00:25:12,960 Speaker 1: I knew, but what's become even more prominent to me 442 00:25:13,320 --> 00:25:15,840 Speaker 1: is that if you're not in a field of like 443 00:25:16,680 --> 00:25:21,719 Speaker 1: psychology or social work or counseling when you're in college, 444 00:25:21,760 --> 00:25:25,000 Speaker 1: you're not really getting much information about mental health. And 445 00:25:25,040 --> 00:25:28,400 Speaker 1: what the research is showing us is that that population 446 00:25:28,440 --> 00:25:31,840 Speaker 1: and that age group are more stressed and more anxious 447 00:25:31,840 --> 00:25:35,520 Speaker 1: than they ever have been. And so it's important UM 448 00:25:35,560 --> 00:25:37,960 Speaker 1: to me to continue to spread that message about the 449 00:25:38,000 --> 00:25:42,240 Speaker 1: importance of our mental health. And so if anybody in Missouri, 450 00:25:42,280 --> 00:25:45,760 Speaker 1: Illinois will want to bring me to their um institution 451 00:25:45,760 --> 00:25:50,320 Speaker 1: of higher education, like that would be great. And where 452 00:25:50,359 --> 00:25:53,880 Speaker 1: can we find you online? Melissa? Your website in any 453 00:25:54,000 --> 00:25:56,919 Speaker 1: social media handles you want to share? Yes, So my 454 00:25:57,000 --> 00:26:01,600 Speaker 1: website is www dot gol Driven on sling dot com. 455 00:26:01,640 --> 00:26:07,000 Speaker 1: I'm on Facebook at Gold Driven Counseling, LLC, on Instagram 456 00:26:07,080 --> 00:26:10,720 Speaker 1: at gold Driven Counseling, and on Twitter at Gold Driven 457 00:26:10,800 --> 00:26:14,159 Speaker 1: Council Without an eye, got it? And of course all 458 00:26:14,160 --> 00:26:16,640 Speaker 1: of that information will be included in the show notes. 459 00:26:16,680 --> 00:26:19,800 Speaker 1: So people can find that really easily. So you mentioned 460 00:26:19,840 --> 00:26:22,360 Speaker 1: to Melissa the two studies, UM, but I wondered if 461 00:26:22,359 --> 00:26:25,560 Speaker 1: you had any other resources that you really enjoyed UM, 462 00:26:25,560 --> 00:26:29,520 Speaker 1: whether about like tele mental health or like your populations 463 00:26:29,560 --> 00:26:31,600 Speaker 1: that you really enjoy working with, like the adult NG 464 00:26:31,600 --> 00:26:34,840 Speaker 1: and UM the major transitions, any like books or podcasts 465 00:26:34,920 --> 00:26:37,080 Speaker 1: or things that you suggest for people wanting to read 466 00:26:37,080 --> 00:26:41,080 Speaker 1: more about that. Well, I focus a lot on using 467 00:26:41,160 --> 00:26:43,280 Speaker 1: just what's as our fingertips and so a lot of 468 00:26:43,280 --> 00:26:46,000 Speaker 1: the resources that I share UM, I use a lot 469 00:26:46,000 --> 00:26:49,960 Speaker 1: of excerpts and things from different articles and books and 470 00:26:50,000 --> 00:26:52,359 Speaker 1: things like that. But I also like to use apps 471 00:26:52,400 --> 00:26:55,360 Speaker 1: really really largely because we have a lot of them 472 00:26:55,400 --> 00:26:57,200 Speaker 1: that you know, are on our phones and things that 473 00:26:57,240 --> 00:27:00,280 Speaker 1: are free that are very very helpful. That helps when 474 00:27:00,280 --> 00:27:03,120 Speaker 1: we're trying to work through interventions and things with our 475 00:27:03,160 --> 00:27:06,399 Speaker 1: therapists or just in our everyday life. And so UM 476 00:27:06,440 --> 00:27:11,800 Speaker 1: I have a top five and the first UM just 477 00:27:11,840 --> 00:27:14,520 Speaker 1: completely contradicted myself because the first is actually not an app, 478 00:27:15,160 --> 00:27:18,879 Speaker 1: but it goes into the space of of of just 479 00:27:19,119 --> 00:27:23,080 Speaker 1: the using technology more fully. And so one I suggest 480 00:27:23,160 --> 00:27:25,920 Speaker 1: a lot of journaling UM with my clients just to 481 00:27:25,920 --> 00:27:29,320 Speaker 1: to sit down be mindful and work through um some things, 482 00:27:29,400 --> 00:27:31,440 Speaker 1: and some of them they're like, you know, if they're 483 00:27:31,480 --> 00:27:33,800 Speaker 1: college students and professionals, they're like, oh my gosh, like 484 00:27:34,240 --> 00:27:36,199 Speaker 1: I do not want to write another thing, even if 485 00:27:36,240 --> 00:27:39,240 Speaker 1: it is about my feelings. And so one thing that 486 00:27:39,320 --> 00:27:42,640 Speaker 1: I suggest is audio journaling. And so what I tell 487 00:27:42,720 --> 00:27:45,240 Speaker 1: them is we can go through the same processes and 488 00:27:45,320 --> 00:27:48,919 Speaker 1: things as a journal and really vincing about and working 489 00:27:48,960 --> 00:27:51,679 Speaker 1: through our feelings and our thoughts and our emotions, but 490 00:27:51,840 --> 00:27:54,119 Speaker 1: we can do it through audio. And so I share 491 00:27:54,160 --> 00:27:57,199 Speaker 1: with them to turn their their phone on like they 492 00:27:57,240 --> 00:27:59,119 Speaker 1: were were going to record a video and then just 493 00:27:59,200 --> 00:28:01,280 Speaker 1: to sit it down to it only picks up audio. 494 00:28:01,359 --> 00:28:03,480 Speaker 1: They're not worried about looking at themselves and what it 495 00:28:03,520 --> 00:28:07,040 Speaker 1: looks like. And so UM, I instruct them to go 496 00:28:07,119 --> 00:28:09,760 Speaker 1: through the journaling process but just talking it out loud 497 00:28:10,119 --> 00:28:12,399 Speaker 1: and so it takes that pressure off having to write. 498 00:28:12,600 --> 00:28:14,640 Speaker 1: But then they can steal process through things and then 499 00:28:14,680 --> 00:28:18,920 Speaker 1: here it back to themselves. And so that's one UM. 500 00:28:18,960 --> 00:28:21,520 Speaker 1: But one actual app is called the moment app, and 501 00:28:21,560 --> 00:28:24,800 Speaker 1: that can track track our cell phone usage. And so 502 00:28:24,960 --> 00:28:26,760 Speaker 1: with a lot of the clients that I have that 503 00:28:26,800 --> 00:28:29,840 Speaker 1: are talking to me about being overwhelmed and feeling stress 504 00:28:29,920 --> 00:28:32,720 Speaker 1: and just not having enough time. UM. Sometimes we have 505 00:28:32,880 --> 00:28:34,640 Speaker 1: we take a step back and look at how we're 506 00:28:34,680 --> 00:28:38,360 Speaker 1: using our time, especially when we're exhausted, we're kind of 507 00:28:38,440 --> 00:28:43,080 Speaker 1: just um, kind of surfing through the internet or social 508 00:28:43,120 --> 00:28:45,320 Speaker 1: media and things like that. And so that shows them 509 00:28:45,600 --> 00:28:48,600 Speaker 1: like what they're putting their their time to in an actual, 510 00:28:48,800 --> 00:28:51,760 Speaker 1: like quantitative way. And so we can look at, Okay, 511 00:28:51,800 --> 00:28:54,840 Speaker 1: if you spent three hours on social media today, like, 512 00:28:54,840 --> 00:28:57,920 Speaker 1: how can we use that differently? Another one that I 513 00:28:58,000 --> 00:29:01,960 Speaker 1: use is called Relaxed Melodies, and that one gives relaxing 514 00:29:02,080 --> 00:29:04,160 Speaker 1: sounds that can be like mixed with each other, and 515 00:29:04,200 --> 00:29:07,239 Speaker 1: so you could have like a rain sound mixed with 516 00:29:07,280 --> 00:29:10,560 Speaker 1: like gusty winds. And so some of my clients who 517 00:29:11,000 --> 00:29:13,920 Speaker 1: we're practicing that mindfulness and some of that grounding it 518 00:29:14,040 --> 00:29:16,760 Speaker 1: helps at that time. But then also those who are 519 00:29:16,800 --> 00:29:20,400 Speaker 1: having trouble sleeping and having trouble fallen asleep, having some 520 00:29:20,480 --> 00:29:23,440 Speaker 1: of those UM sounds and working through some deep breathing 521 00:29:23,720 --> 00:29:26,480 Speaker 1: can be very helpful for that. UM. The third one 522 00:29:26,720 --> 00:29:29,840 Speaker 1: is Pacificum, and it tracks moods and thoughts and it 523 00:29:30,040 --> 00:29:32,680 Speaker 1: also has some guided meditations, and so that can be 524 00:29:32,760 --> 00:29:36,160 Speaker 1: very helpful when we're trying to look at patterns. And 525 00:29:36,160 --> 00:29:38,560 Speaker 1: then the last one is a breathe app and it 526 00:29:38,880 --> 00:29:41,800 Speaker 1: also helps with the the guided breathing because learning how 527 00:29:41,880 --> 00:29:44,520 Speaker 1: to to deep breathe can can be very different from 528 00:29:44,560 --> 00:29:47,360 Speaker 1: just our our normal breathing that we have every day. 529 00:29:47,880 --> 00:29:49,800 Speaker 1: Those are great, Melissa. I'm sure a lot of people 530 00:29:49,840 --> 00:29:53,920 Speaker 1: will want to check those out. Thank you all right, well, 531 00:29:53,920 --> 00:29:55,880 Speaker 1: thank you so much for joining us today, Melissa. I 532 00:29:55,920 --> 00:29:58,840 Speaker 1: really appreciate it. Thank you again so much for having 533 00:29:58,840 --> 00:30:00,680 Speaker 1: me Dr Joy and just thank you for this this 534 00:30:00,760 --> 00:30:04,600 Speaker 1: resource that you've developed, because it is absolutely amazing. You're welcome. 535 00:30:04,680 --> 00:30:07,520 Speaker 1: Thank you for being a part of it. Thanks. I'm 536 00:30:07,560 --> 00:30:10,360 Speaker 1: so happy Melissa was able to share her expertise with 537 00:30:10,440 --> 00:30:13,120 Speaker 1: us this week. Don't forget to check out all of 538 00:30:13,120 --> 00:30:16,280 Speaker 1: the apps and the information to contact her in the 539 00:30:16,320 --> 00:30:19,240 Speaker 1: show notes. You can find them at Therapy for Black 540 00:30:19,320 --> 00:30:23,400 Speaker 1: Girls dot com slash Session sixty one, and be sure 541 00:30:23,440 --> 00:30:25,720 Speaker 1: to share your thoughts about the episode with us on 542 00:30:25,760 --> 00:30:29,640 Speaker 1: social media. You can use the hashtag tv G in 543 00:30:29,760 --> 00:30:33,600 Speaker 1: session and you can also tag our accounts. You can 544 00:30:33,640 --> 00:30:36,880 Speaker 1: find us on Twitter at Therapy for the Number four 545 00:30:37,240 --> 00:30:40,200 Speaker 1: be Girls, and you can find us on Instagram and 546 00:30:40,240 --> 00:30:44,280 Speaker 1: Facebook at Therapy for Black Girls. If you're looking for 547 00:30:44,360 --> 00:30:47,120 Speaker 1: a therapist in your area, make sure to visit the 548 00:30:47,160 --> 00:30:51,960 Speaker 1: directory at Therapy for Black Girls dot com slash directory. 549 00:30:52,280 --> 00:30:55,240 Speaker 1: And if you want to continue this conversation and join 550 00:30:55,280 --> 00:30:58,120 Speaker 1: a community of other sisters who listen to the podcast, 551 00:30:58,640 --> 00:31:01,600 Speaker 1: join us over in the Thrive tribe at Therapy for 552 00:31:01,640 --> 00:31:05,680 Speaker 1: Black Girls dot com slash tribe. Make sure you answer 553 00:31:05,680 --> 00:31:09,480 Speaker 1: the three questions that are asked to gain injury. Thank 554 00:31:09,520 --> 00:31:11,800 Speaker 1: you all so much again for joining me this week, 555 00:31:12,160 --> 00:31:14,720 Speaker 1: and I look forward to continue in this conversation with 556 00:31:14,800 --> 00:32:01,520 Speaker 1: you all real soon. Take care, fire often,