October 2022 Wellness Blog

October Wellness Corner

Online therapy existed before 2020, but as it became clear how vital these services were, more insurance providers began covering them. Here are a handful of online therapy providers that stand out both for their quality of service and because they accept many insurance plans.

Talkspace accepts multiple insurance carriers and offers therapy for teens, couples, and individuals, as well as medication management. You can get started by taking a brief evaluation that will offer you several therapists from whom to choose. One of Talkspace’s main perks is that you can communicate with your therapist at any time of day and are guaranteed a daily response. Talkspace has several monthly subscription plans that include a variety of communication options.

Another option is Doctor on Demand. They do not offer subscription plans, but 82% of users said their insurance coverage helped with costs. You can read different therapist biographies and choose yours. Like Talkspace, Doctor on Demand offers medication management services.

You may be familiar with Teladoc as the people you call when you’ve got a sinus infection or a cold and need a quick virtual visit, but they also offer mental health services. Teladoc provides audio and video session options with both therapists and psychiatrists.

There are many additional companies that provide virtual mental health and take insurance – see HERE to investigate more options. Coverage varies by plan, so make sure to check your plan details to see what coverage you have or if your plan has a preferred provider. Many of these providers also accept cash payment if your plan doesn’t cover them. Help is available with just a click!

How to Find Online Therapy That Takes Your Insurance (healthline.com)
Best Online Therapy with Insurance of 2022 (verywellmind.com)

 

Physical Health

Cereal and grain-based products boast a common message: Eat more fiber! But why?

Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that comes in two different forms: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water, and it helps your body maintain healthy glucose (sugar) levels as well as lower your blood cholesterol levels. Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water, and its primary function is to help food move through your digestive system.

On top of this, fiber helps regulate bowel movements and bowel health by preventing constipation (recent studies show fiber may even potentially lower your risk of developing colorectal cancer). High-fiber foods may also help you maintain a healthy weight or even lose weight, as it is more filling than low-fiber food.

While fiber supplements can be helpful particularly in solving constipation, most of them do not provide the full spectrum of health benefits that fiber from whole foods does. There are some easy ways to include more fiber in your diet.

Try kicking off your day with a high-fiber cereal. Swap out white flour for high-fiber alternatives, such as whole-wheat flour, brown rice, or bulgur wheat. Pack your snacks with high-fiber foods like fresh fruits and vegetables or a handful of nuts. Incorporate beans, peas, and lentils to your meals for an extra boost.

 

Children are full of wonder and potential, wired to learn rapidly in their early years. Sometimes, however, kids have trouble learning and need a little extra help to get on track.

There are many factors that may cause learning differences, such as genetics, family history, physical or psychological trauma, or environmental factors. Learning differences can apply to any number of skills learned in childhood, but the following are three of the most common.

Dysgraphia is a difference in which kids have trouble writing letters or numbers clearly and legibly. This can impact a child’s ability to learn to read, write, or do math.

Dyslexia is a similar condition in which children struggle to recognize words or spell correctly, which can impact a child’s reading ability.

Dyscalculia affects a child’s ability to understand and recognize numbers and mathematical concepts. This makes learning advanced math later in school very difficult for children.

If your child is struggling with reading, writing, or math, it is important to address this sooner than later. These learning differences may impact their ability to learn more advanced concepts later on, and lead to higher rates of anxiety and depression. You can raise your concerns with your child’s doctor, who will likely first test to make sure your child does not have vision or hearing problems.

If it is determined your child has a learning difference, there are multiple ways to get help. Tutors and specialists can help your child learn techniques to work with their learning disability. If your child is school-aged, talk to their teachers about getting an IEP, or Individualized Educational Program, which will help set learning goals and strategies for your child. Occupational therapy may also be useful in helping your child learn to work with their learning disability.

 

Your health and wellbeing matter to us at PPV. Your career matters to us. You matter to us.

If you would like additional information on emotional and mental health, you can confidentially contact me at the information below.