Counsellor repeatedly takes days off for her own hobbies and family gatherings

Paradoxical Theory of Change

Thanks!!!!

Oh yes, sorry, I completely misread what you said! I wasn't paying full attention, sorry for the confusion and for being sharp in my reply.

However, I did give an accurate definition as it is used in Gestalt therapy. It wasn't cherry picked to suit me, it is part of the theoretical approach of my therapy.

Yes I know what Medicaid is. But if you aren’t on disability (Sara said she isn't) yet you don’t work and don’t have dependents and are young, it’s not that easy to stay on government assistance indefinitely. Sweden also provides government assistance and free medical care. I am from that part of the world and familiar with what’s happening there and here.

This is a great thread. I often learn so much here!

I wonder Sarah, if you could dictate the particulars of your treatment or of your supportive counseling chats, what would you choose? What kind of therapy with what kind of therapist? Do you want someone who listens gently or who pushes and challenges? Do you want a structured program? Inpatient? Day hospital? More holistic? Emphasis on nutrition and exercise?

I ask not because you can necessarily just have whatever you want but because I’m truly curious as to what you think might be most helpful to you. Often something works at least partly because we think it will.

Also once you know what you want, you can ask for it. You might not get it. But you can try. Sometimes between the library and the internet you can even create a bit of a treatment plan for yourself.

I used to work for the Dept. of Human Services, helping clients obtain benefits.

I forgot to mention that you don't have to be on disability to qualify for medicaid or food stamps.

At another job, I have had coworkers whom were on medicaid and food stamps. Some were working 30 - 35 hours.

Lots of therapists don't take Medicaid though. In my area, based on my research, a majority don't take any insurance at all. I'm lucky in that my insurance provides some out-of-network benefits (50% reimbursed). And some could be above the Medicaid threshold (and thus ineligible for it), yet still be unable to afford therapy due to other expenses (I also live in a particularly expensive part of the country, but incomes vary pretty widely in my area).

Yes, that is the problem with medicaid. Many providers don't accept it because of it's low pay.

I am well aware you don’t have to be on disability to have Medicaid and food stamps. You don’t have to be on disability to receive free services in Sweden either. She doesn’t work for years but receives government assistance and free medical. I really don’t understand what point you are trying to make.

There is a limit of how much and for how long one can be in a welfare system in the US in the absence of disability and with no dependents. Same as in Sweden people will be pushed into work programs or vocational retraining etc The difference is they do have public health system, and we in the US don’t. But both countries have limitations on how much and how long you can be on government assistance and don’t work at all (not being on disability)

I do not know how familiar you are with Scandinavian or other European countries but you can’t possibly have an argument that US provides more government assistance. It’s simply not the case. It’s the other way around and has been always a known fact.

I think in the US - it just shows how overpaid they are and how screwed up the western medicine corporation is.