There is a time when the moon is full and it shines at just the right angle. If you go to a river and the water is rightfully still, you will see a masterful reflection. The attenuated magic of the moment makes everything seem right in place. In medication management for psychiatric patients, the goal does not liken itself to a masterful moment. Oftentimes, hope is balanced with the reality of bringing quiet to the soul. For me the medicine calms the noises in my head, keeps me from harming myself, and attracts me to making choices to live well. One choice for me to live well, has and will always be therapy. Psychotherapy has given me the courage to go on. I know without it, my journey with this illness would be altered and my prognosis poor. With every episode, I always find my way back to it. Cognitive behavioral-therapy, interpersonal therapy, exposure therapy, and psychoanalysis have been the mainstay of most of my adult life. Therapy is costly. I have insurance, but it is tricky. Insurance companies and their ”Preferred Providers” create a mess of behavioral health. I just hate getting the letter that states, “Dr. X is no longer one of our preferred providers.” Do they not realize how long it takes to build a relationship with Dr. X? For the most part, my therapists have been willing to work with me on payments. I find they are much more agreeable than the insurance companies.
I am at that crossroad again. My most recent therapist has lost his ”relationship” with my insurance company. I got my letter this past week. So here I go again having to out-of-pocket therapy, beg for less co-pays, or break in a new therapist. All I want is for the moon to shine at the right angle. This journey is complicated.
There is a time when the moon is full and it shines at just the right angle. If you go to a river and the water is rightfully still, you will see a masterful reflection. The attenuated magic of the moment makes everything seem right in place. In medication management for psychiatric patients, the goal does not liken itself to a masterful moment. Oftentimes, hope is balanced with the reality of bringing quiet to the soul. For me the medicine calms the noises in my head, keeps me from harming myself, and attracts me to making choices to live well. One choice for me to live well, has and will always be therapy. Psychotherapy has given me the courage to go on. I know without it, my journey with this illness would be altered and my prognosis poor. With every episode, I always find my way back to it. Cognitive behavioral-therapy, interpersonal therapy, exposure therapy, and psychoanalysis have been the mainstay of most of my adult life. Therapy is costly. I have insurance, but it is tricky. Insurance companies and their ”Preferred Providers” create a mess of behavioral health. I just hate getting the letter that states, “Dr. X is no longer one of our preferred providers.” Do they not realize how long it takes to build a relationship with Dr. X? For the most part, my therapists have been willing to work with me on payments. I find they are much more agreeable than the insurance companies.
I am at that crossroad again. My most recent therapist has lost his ”relationship” with my insurance company. I got my letter this past week. So here I go again having to out-of-pocket therapy, beg for less co-pays, or break in a new therapist. All I want is for the moon to shine at the right angle. This journey is complicated.