https://www.amynealcounseling.com/blog daily 0.75 2026-02-09 https://www.amynealcounseling.com/blog/tck-reentry monthly 0.5 2026-01-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/1687728782405-V6QZNUAVK4WAOZE4RUKL/image-asset.jpeg Blog - Where are you from? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/2e5d0cf7-ae77-402d-b982-f5a155328d7d/image-asset.jpg Blog - Where are you from? TCK’s often feel caught between two (or more) cultures. We often don’t quite fit in with our passport country’s culture but also don’t quite fit in with the host culture either. TCK’s can be cultural chameleons, camouflaging into their environment, but not quite being a part of it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/1687729072725-RHD2MJIC0LK6T5FIY96B/image-asset.jpeg Blog - Where are you from? This process can be lonely and it can be helpful to talk to someone who understands these dynamics. As a TCK who walked through re-entry a few times, I can help TCKs or adult cross-cultural workers navigate the process of re-entry. We can process the emotions that may come in waves, sometimes surfacing a while after actual re-entry. We can also navigate some of the practical steps to re-entry and the challenges that may surface. https://www.amynealcounseling.com/blog/navigating-insurance monthly 0.5 2023-06-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/f7496109-7269-4158-a6c9-36b956aed3ec/unsplash-image-ojCHx1YgUeA.jpg Blog - Navigating Insurance - Navigating insurance feels like trying to get through a crazy maze… I’m not sure anyone enjoys sitting on hold and going through numerous automated menus just to get questions answered... if you’re lucky! So I put together a short blog to help make this process a little less painful… at least that’s my hope! First off let’s define some terms… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/84060333-a2c9-4b84-8cc0-c45258de72ed/unsplash-image-mCqi3MljC4E.jpg Blog - Navigating Insurance Let’s go back to our example. You are seeing the provider for the contracted rate of $110 per session but you have a $1,000 deductible. This means you see the therapist for about 9 sessions and pay 100% yourself before insurance starts paying. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/c09afa16-df96-417d-bb67-3e5ec7d6d30c/unsplash-image-LtNvQHdKkmw.jpg Blog - Navigating Insurance - Ok! Now for the fun part! so what do you need to ask when you are verifying your benefits? On your insurance card, you will see a phone number and url where you can verify benefits. You can log in to your portal or call the number on the card. I recommend taking notes of when you called, who you talked to, and a reference number. Just in case, insurance gives you one answer now and a different answer later. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/1649287715379-SD2V551X98IC87Q8YPQE/unsplash-image-rQiwf0nVjlY.jpg Blog - Navigating Insurance - So was that fun or was that fun! Talking about insurance reminds me of those childhood games where you put your head on the bat, spin in circles and then try to run a straight line. https://www.amynealcounseling.com/blog/family-secrets monthly 0.5 2022-04-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/1649125995637-WQAVE8T5E1S62T11DUP9/unsplash-image-lCC4GZWbmGs.jpg Blog - We Don’t Talk about [Family Secrets] No, No, No! I finally watched Disney’s Encanto… loved it! Of course, the hit song “We Don’t Talk about Bruno” has been running non-stop in my head and on my playlist since then. I love how the rhythm and style changes as each character shares their story and narrative about the family outcast. Part of what drew me to this movie was the beautiful artwork and music which sings (literally) to my own Hispanic heritage. The movie also sang to my heart as a therapist… that individuals are better able to understand the stories and narratives of their families of origin. That they may understand the past with more clarity to then build stronger and healthier futures, just like the Madrigal Casita was rebuilt. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/1649126182232-G0FCOWK7LGZJIMAXN5AP/unsplash-image-7Kv1Elbagcc.jpg Blog - We Don’t Talk about [Family Secrets] No, No, No! - The saddest part about family struggles is that as long as they are secrets… hidden, covered up, shoved under the rug…the family can’t truly be united and “whole”. Just like the Madrigals, the whole family continues to suffer in emotional isolation. Did you notice how at the beginning of the movie each family member had their own unique door with a world behind it? Physically, they all lived together, and from the outside the whole town saw them as unified and magical. In reality, all were suffering and the façade was slowly (or not so slowly) cracking. At the end of the movie, the only magical door was the front entrance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/b5064a9e-acee-4fef-b8f6-07f1b1a8e6a8/unsplash-image-BcjdbyKWquw.jpg Blog - We Don’t Talk about [Family Secrets] No, No, No! - What were/are the secrets that your family held? What was the function of the secrets… The family reputation? Keeping the family out of legal trouble? Keeping a relationship together (such as a secret affair)? Are the secrets helping or bringing more damage to the family? What could have been a healthier way to engage with those secrets? What support and help could the members of the family have received if it had not been for these secrets? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/2941b401-90d3-4714-bd73-4d3cfbe96135/unsplash-image-yzt1-J3BPwQ.jpg Blog - We Don’t Talk about [Family Secrets] No, No, No! These are a lot of questions, and there isn't one right or wrong answer… my job would be much easier if there were! It helps to have someone on the outside looking in to help explore our pasts, navigate what we can learn, unlearn, and rebuild in a stronger way. So my encouragement to you… go find someone to talk about Bruno with! If you are interested in scheduling a 15 minute consultation with me to see if we would be a good fit in working together, use the “contact me” button at the top of the page to reach out by email to schedule a time. By Amy Neal MA, LCMHC https://www.amynealcounseling.com/blog/online-therapy-work monthly 0.5 2026-02-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/1610159621827-HW1Y0E58ORHIUP2TJ8UG/image-asset.jpeg Blog - Does Online Therapy Work? - Is Online therapy as effective as In Person therapy? Will I feel comfortable doing Online Therapy? Is Online Therapy awkward? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/1610160685924-X8EE869UL92D6G9LE24K/image-asset.jpeg Blog - Does Online Therapy Work? - Time. This is one of the greatest benefits I’ve found for online therapy. Most of us are busy. It can be hard to carve out time to run to the office for your therapy session. You have to take off work which may require scheduling time way in advance. You may have to find a babysitter… I’ll go into this more below. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/1610161989262-UV9IQRVS89IJ0JPNDGDZ/image-asset.jpeg Blog - Does Online Therapy Work? - Cost Effective Remember how I said you might have to leave work (potentially using PTO or missing out on hourly pay)… or hire a babysitter… drive to an office using gas and wear and tear on your car? Online therapy can cut down on costs making therapy over all more financially accessible. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/1610162508574-5AF9CZ6BWRDAP5VD5N55/image.jpg Blog - Does Online Therapy Work? - Accessibility Perhaps you have a physical condition that makes it difficult to get to an office. Or you don’t have reliable transportation. Maybe your anxiety is so intense right now that driving to an office and meeting with someone in person is too overwhelming. Perhaps it’s a temporary barrier, such as the pandemic, weather issues, or you woke up with a cold. Online therapy overcomes those barriers and challenges by making it easier to physically access appointments with less chance of needing to cancel an appointment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/1610162822291-8JVJCOAMTAA7W7BMQ708/image.jpg Blog - Does Online Therapy Work? - Comfort Therapy can be a difficult process. We often talk about the tough, perhaps traumatizing experiences you have gone through. It takes a lot of courage to go into those dark places and invite someone else there as well. https://www.amynealcounseling.com/blog/calming-anxious-thoughts monthly 0.5 2026-02-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/1610077920135-RX1GGR1M0907RLFQRLKY/image-asset.jpeg Blog - Skills to Calm Your Anxious Thoughts Happy smiling woman with curly hair lounging on couch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/1610253920410-H2DNCK939534LNQB8CXD/image-asset.jpeg Blog - Skills to Calm Your Anxious Thoughts - Waves. There’s nothing more calming to me than to sit on the beach and to just watch and listen to the waves. On the other hand there’s also nothing quite so scary as playing in the waves and having them crash on top of you and you go head over heals somersaulting while the waves pound you into the sand. Then they leave you in the sand… coughing and spewing while you try to gather together your self-respect and make sure your swimsuit is still on. Phew… so much for trying to learn how to surf! https://www.amynealcounseling.com/blog/stressmanagementtips-4snp6 monthly 0.5 2026-02-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/1610076952225-D5V1AWXLI0Q76UK18OG5/image-asset.jpeg Blog - Stress Management Tips Pretty Caucasian woman at the beach smiling at camera. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/1610250775582-WBM41UHJKJSOFNZXWVGX/image-asset.jpeg Blog - Stress Management Tips - Prioritize! Having too many things on your plate is overwhelming. Usually they are not ALL high priority. Make a list of what you need to do, and then pick 2 or 3 that are most important for you to finish up first. Bonus if they are also the ones that you can complete quickly. Being able to quickly knock a task off your list will feel good and make space for some of the tasks that will take more time and energy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/1610251284576-OCS2P3259TD48QEIPLQD/image-asset.jpeg Blog - Stress Management Tips - Take breaks… yeah, I know that sounds contradictory to #1, but you have to balance facing stress with taking an intentional, purposeful break from stress. What does a break look like? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/1610251564519-FUJS2IBOYBMNT8Q8DIAB/image.jpg Blog - Stress Management Tips - Perspective. We can get so caught up in the rush of life that we lose sight of the bigger picture. Take a pause, a step back, and look at the bigger picture. How much will all of these “pressing” things matter in a month… 6 months… a year… 5 years? Much of what we stress about will probably not seem that important 5 years from now. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/1610252399754-R7C5TLECD3QD31AHFFSW/image.jpg Blog - Stress Management Tips - Talk to someone. We were made for community and relationships. We need each other. Seek out your support system and if needed find professional help. While friends and family can be great sources of support… sometimes they are too close to a situation to give you a different perspective. Or maybe they are part of the stress. Talking to a neutral party can be a great resource for gaining perspective on how to manage your particular stressors. https://www.amynealcounseling.com/blog/welcome monthly 0.5 2021-01-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/1610153775345-9BF41BTUPBVPUX3DA5NI/Amy%252BNeal%252BCounseling_hi%252Bi%252527m%252Bamy.jpg Blog - Welcome to my Blog - Welcome to my Blog page where you will find mental health resources and articles to support your in your journey toward healing and growth. Bright natural dining room nook with vases plates and fruits on the table. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/1610153931252-VHL8T0G6TYREATVIROJZ/Profile%2BPicture.jpg Blog - Welcome to my Blog - I will talk about some of the common struggles people experience, such as anxiety, depression, or trauma. I will also explain skills and strategies that you can practice between sessions. 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The “Chathelp” Platforms: These companies market themselves to clients as affordable services with 24/7 access to a therapist. They have huge marketing budgets and often use celebrities, YouTubers, and podcasters to promote their services. They don’t usually bill insurance but offer monthly subscription packages with a set number of sessions or text exchanges. [Spoiler alert, the subscription packages aren’t that affordable!] Despite high fees for clients, therapists typically get paid very little—often around $30 per 45 minute session. On the therapist side, they promise flexible scheduling and unlimited referrals, and they onboard quickly. Most hire therapists as 1099 contractors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/1767668096757-YWJWOZZ99R4CNTSUR99E/unsplash-image-cQ8FfVNvbew.jpg Practice Pennies Blog - Pitfalls of Working for Tech Companies as a Therapist 2. EAP and Virtual Doctor Companies: These platforms contract with employers to provide Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services and on-demand telehealth. They promise therapists flexibility and relief from administrative tasks. Pay is usually a bit better—often $50-100 for a 45-minute session. They also tend to hire as 1099 contractors, though occasionally you’ll find a W2 position. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd7ca7b9deb0f38850af18d/1767668267882-5OXE1YRYLV0NGAZGU05R/unsplash-image-FnfGRMXENYg.jpg Practice Pennies Blog - Pitfalls of Working for Tech Companies as a Therapist - 3. The “Billing” Platforms: These companies claim to make it easier for clients to find therapists who accept their insurance, advertising low out-of-pocket costs. For therapists, they promise to handle all the insurance headaches—billing, verification, even audit protection. 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