Help Therapy Newsletter - August 2022
The Mental Health Connection
Many children and adults alike are going all out this month, determined to get the most out of it as back-to-school time approaches. Children may be disappointed that Summer is coming to an end, but parents may be relieved to send their kids back to school and back to a “normal” schedule.
And speaking of schedules, we’ve realized that knowing which providers have openings at any particular time may be challenging, as availability opens and closes dynamically. We’d like to make it easier by providing regular updates. Some of the insurance carriers we can accommodate right away are:
Aetna
Cigna
Community Health Group
Medicare
Optum / UHC
We also want to express our appreciation to all of you who voted for Help Therapy in the San Diego Union Tribune’s Best Companies Poll. We’re listed as a Favorite Company in the non-medical healthcare services category.
And, as President of the San Diego County Council on Aging (SDCCOA), I’d like to personally invite you to join Help Therapy at the San Diego County Council on Aging Health Fair on Sept 30th. More information can be found here.
Enjoy the remainder of your Summer!
Annette Conway, PsyD
President
Help Therapy
August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month
Mothers often face a variety of barriers when starting and continuing breastfeeding. Some of these barriers relate to lactation issues, concerns about breastfeeding while taking medications, unsupportive hospital practices and access to resources and other support. Each August, the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) hosts an advocacy and outreach campaign inviting organizations and individuals to take action and spread the word about changes to policies and practices needed to support babies and families. 2022 National Breastfeeding Month is divided into four weekly observances:
Week 1: World Breastfeeding Week
Week 2: Indigenous Milk Medicine Week
Week 3: Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week
Week 4: Black Breastfeeding Week
Loneliness’s Effect on Mental and Physical Health
Americans with mental health issues are more than twice as likely to be lonely than those without a mental health concern. According to a recent study by Cigna, 58% of U.S. adults are considered lonely.
Health and Loneliness
This study also found Individuals suffering from physical or mental health issues are approximately 50% more likely to be lonely than those with better health.
Among individuals classified as lonely:
24% report sleep disorders
15% report weight-related problems or complications
9% report neurological disorders
9% report substance abuse
8% report kidney or urologic problems
Likewise, a study reported by the CDC found loneliness to increase the risk of serious mental and physical health conditions and even death in older adults.
Loneliness is associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety and suicide.
Poor social relationships, characterized by social isolation or loneliness, are associated with a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke.
Lonely individuals with heart failure have nearly four times the risk of death, 68% increased risk of hospitalization and 57% increased risk of ER visits.
Using Pain Reprocessing Therapy
When a person has chronic pain and becomes preoccupied with it, it reinforces the belief that the pain is dangerous and to be feared. This fear puts the brain on high alert, causing more pain. Then the pain elicits more fear, leading to more pain. It becomes a vicious circle. Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) may help break the cycle. PRT is an approach for treating chronic pain based on neuroscience. This therapy aims to rewire neural pathways in the brain to deactivate pain. PRT is a system of psychological techniques that retrains the brain. The cycle of pain is broken by teaching the body to interpret and respond to pain signs differently—subsequently breaking the cycle. Pain Reprocessing Therapy has five main components:
Educating the patient about the brain and the reversibility of pain
Gathering personalized evidence reinforcing the fact that the pain is not caused by a structural or physical problem in the body
Attending to and appraising pain sensations
Addressing other emotional threats
Replacing negative feelings and sensations with positive ones
You can learn about this system here.
Welcome New Help Therapy Mental Health Provider Partners
These mental healthcare partners are new to our network and offer evaluations and other types of therapy. They are accepting new patients and provide telehealth appointments.
California
Veronica Gardner Mendoza
Jane Bond
Tiffany Ellerby
Mimi DeGennaro
LaShaunda Jethro
Maria Belinsky
Gina Woodford
Texas
Jacquelina Herrera
Featured Practitioner
Balaji Nettimi, PsyD
After finishing his doctorate in clinical psychology, Dr. Nettimi completed his postdoctoral certification and residency in neuropsychology.
He specializes in neuropsychological assessments for neurocognitive disorders—such as dementia and age-related cognitive decline— as well as pre-surgical psychological evaluations for bariatric surgery and spinal cord stimulator surgery. He offers a quick turnaround time of one to two days after an assessment for a report.
Dr. Nettimi is also a pioneer in hypnotherapy and developed the Nettimi Hypnosis Model, which is taught to other therapists and practiced as a holistic therapy. Besides teaching fellow therapists his hypnosis model, he also performed live hypnotism shows in Las Vegas.
Dr. Nettimi has been in private practice in Rancho Mirage, California for over ten years.
Events
World Breastfeeding Awareness Week
August 1-6, 2022
See Awareness for more information.
National Health Center Week
August 8-12, 2022
See IAB for more information.
World Humanitarian Day
August 19, 2022
See UN for more information.
International Day of the Disappeared
August 30, 2022
See Awareness for more information.
National Grief Awareness Day
August 30, 2022
See HealGrief for more information.
“There is hope even when your brain tells you there isn't."
-John Green
Partner With Us
Are you a psychologist, LCSW or LMFT?
We’re always looking for exceptional mental healthcare providers. Visit helptherapy.com for more information and fill out the quick and easy application.
Benefits:
Stream of new patients
Billing off your plate
Flexibility and Freedom
Credentialing assistance
No hidden costs
Do you have something to share?
We’d love to hear about your successes and accomplishments!
Have you:
Written an article?
Given a presentation?
Been featured on a podcast?
Contact us at info@helptherapy.com.
We welcome your feedback.
What would you like to see in this newsletter?
Do you have a topic you would like discussed?
Have questions?
Want to learn more about Help Therapy?
Visit helptherapy.com, call 855-449-0159 or email info@helptherapy.com