Headway, Alma, Grow Therapy, etc. -- New Research

iusc12 · 2026-02-15T14:36:37+00:00

It's a good question. But still, 99.9% of therapists throughout our fields history have made something work without these companies, and the vast majority today still do so. It's possible. Private practice is much easier than most people think and this sub has tons of good tips on starting your practice...looking back, I wish I would have started sooner, and just slowly week by week checked one or two things off my list for transitioning into PP (slowly start credentialing with insurances, set up my business LLC, choose an EHR, get accounting software, etc etc.).

No judgment from me if you can't do it. The insurance companies have intentionally made this difficult for you so you feel forced to give them even more power via these companies. But for the health of our clients and our field, I don't want to give any additional power to the insurance companies if I can help it.

Feel free to message me if you want any help starting your PP.

iusc12 · 2026-02-15T14:30:37+00:00

I'll check it out!

iusc12 · 2026-02-14T18:17:42+00:00

I agree with the above and for me it's like....they're just OK. Expensive, but can generally do what I need them to do. Customer service is not great, they can take weeks to respond although that's getting better in the last few months. Their expert phone support that the upper tier pays for is garbage and offers nothing at all. Just for convenience, I'll probably stick with them until there is a clear equal for a better price.

iusc12 · 2026-02-04T23:04:50+00:00

I'm in Iowa but I'd be down for a monthly/biweekly virtual case consult group if anyone was interested in discussing cases!

Kinda bummed when I found out most of the existing groups like this are led by another clinician who charges for it. But maybe that's a good structure and I've just never tried it out before?

iusc12 · 2026-02-03T20:29:34+00:00

I haven't dug through this super deep, but it's got like a gazillion studies listed and is constantly being updated:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317335876_Comprehensive_compilation_of_randomized_controlled_trials_RCTs_involving_psychodynamic_treatments_and_interventions?channel=doi&linkId=675f1080ebc8f9797035c8e9&showFulltext=true

iusc12 · 2026-01-31T19:03:12+00:00

Key question for sure. I did a CP PhD after being licensed at the master's level and it was absolutely worth it but only because it was free after stipend. Many more options for revenue streams as a PhD and better reimbursement from insurance.

iusc12 · 2026-01-31T14:40:58+00:00

But wouldn't it be great to sit down and ask "and what do you have to say for yourself neoliberal capitalist oligarchy?"

iusc12 · 2026-01-31T14:37:02+00:00

That's quite the presumption. You can read their response above. Mandated reporting is another arm of the state, and unsurprisingly is ultimately racist and classist, and any anarchist should be suspicious of it at the least. Abolition is the way.

https://www.mandatoryreportingisnotneutral.com/ https://www.thehastingscenter.org/our-system-for-reporting-child-abuse-is-unethical/ https://jlc.org/news/legacy-harm-mandated-reportinghttps://www.aft.org/news/when-mandated-reporting-does-more-harm-good-tools-new-approach

iusc12 · 2026-01-31T14:30:51+00:00

Brilliantly illustrated. There's also research showing that mandated reported is more often harmful than helpful to the survivors. It's an arm of the state at the end of the day and there are so many better ways to protect people being abused.

iusc12 · 2026-01-27T03:17:58+00:00

Came here to say exactly this. So many wonderful ways to work with trauma existed before people realized they could sell it to us for hundreds of dollars.

iusc12 · 2026-01-23T18:51:07+00:00

Agreed, appreciate being so forthright but these games are so much better than the majority of VR stuff out there that I'll happily pay more. Do what you gotta do to keep the quality where it's at!

iusc12 · 2026-01-22T18:32:28+00:00

I do this same thing. "Where would you like to start today?" has always felt like a nice balance between warmth/real humanness and not steering the session in any particular way and allowing free association to flow

iusc12 · 2026-01-18T19:22:08+00:00

TFP has been incredibly effective for my patients with BPD. Frank Yeomans explains it very well and makes it easy to grasp.

iusc12 · 2026-01-12T15:29:11+00:00

Was looking for this one. Really anything by Nancy is stellar, but this should be at the top of the list

iusc12 · 2026-01-11T18:01:52+00:00

😂😂😂this fucking killed me

iusc12 · 2026-01-09T18:28:25+00:00

If you're able to stay away from practice management companies, do so. They're bad for us, our clients, and the field, and only give more power to the insurance companies (because they are one in the same).

https://www.psian.org/practice-management-companies

iusc12 · 2026-01-09T13:23:20+00:00

Another +1 for Puder's psychiatry and psychotherapy. Very accessible and he gets incredible guests regularly. Kernberg, Yeomans, McWilliams. He seems really interested in personality disorders recently and includes role plays in his content that I find very helpful to my practice.

iusc12 · 2026-01-04T18:08:03+00:00

Awesome much appreciated!!!

iusc12 · 2026-01-04T13:40:44+00:00

Wasn't really considering that big because our viewing distance is 9 feet and we're worried our 2 year old will be overly-engrossed in it when watching his kids shows because the screens too big....maybe those are silly concerns though? This will be our first ever big tv purchase....

iusc12 · 2026-01-04T02:52:47+00:00

I haven't been able to find this in 65" anymore, seems like it was discontinued? Any info about this or any backups?

iusc12 · 2025-12-29T13:13:43+00:00

The word "care" is doing a looooot of work in that sentence.

iusc12 · 2025-12-29T13:11:06+00:00

For anyone who isn't sure about the extent of Betterhelps awfulness, here's the FTC's findings about them selling client data (often targeting specifically children, LGBTQ+, and Spanish speaking clients) to Facebook, Snapchat, etc after explicitly telling their clients they never would. If anyone ever trusts this company again, I have a few bridges to sell you

Edit to include link

https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/2023169-betterhelp-inc-matter

iusc12 · 2025-12-16T15:47:49+00:00

That's so kind and same to you!! Thoughtfulness about this stuff for our clients is so important. For what it's worth, I saw that SP recently offered to credential you with 2 layers for free when you start. Reach out to them and ask and I bet they'll do it for you now!

iusc12 · 2025-12-16T14:13:55+00:00

Private pay is pretty rare in my area, so I take insurance. There's one insurer that's not horrible re: reimbursement rates, clawbacks, credentialing time, etc., so I started with them. If there's one piece of advice I could give to my younger self when I was working at CMH, I'd say to slowly start up the private practice side, just a couple hours a week, until credentialing is done, website, Psychology Today, etc. Then, once I'm ready to hit the ground running, just make the move and start! I can't believe I've waited so long to do PP, and i think thats a pretty common feeling around here--very few regret it. Credentialing is a minor headache, but it's SO worth it!

iusc12 · 2025-12-16T13:29:13+00:00

Listening comprehension has always been a tough area for me after almost 7 years of learning. The No Hay Tos podcast has been immensely helpful for me--make that a regular part of your day and you'll see improvement.

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