Jen K, LCPC, LPC at Thrive Counseling & Wellness, PC

05/29/2025

Recently I had the pleasure of being a guest on the Therapists Unchained podcast with Sivie Suckerman and we talked about all things health insurance, from filling department of insurance complaints to clawbacks. If you're interested, give it a listen! :)

https://www.patreon.com/posts/insurance-sh-lpc-130204300?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link&fbclid=IwY2xjawKlp31leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETA0Rm5qSzkxSDZ0U1c1QklUAR4HeHQTFYOE1kJbgNjLLZx6DUU_dNVYWLecPm3DrLWvW9kfVsNM6EucNopvFA_aem_Ri6iSCtU5bMcEhSQrhi1Uw

Get more from Therapists Unchained on Patreon

03/27/2025

Health and Human Services is set to lay off 20,000 jobs. I fail to see how this will help Americans rather than harm them. I asked Copilot how this will affect Americans with mental health and/or substance abuse disorders. This is the response:

“The HHS job cuts and restructuring are likely to have significant consequences for individuals with mental health or substance use disorders. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which plays a critical role in supporting mental health and addiction services, is facing substantial reductions in staff and funding.

This could lead to:
Reduced Access to Services: Programs that provide treatment for substance use disorders, mental health counseling, and crisis intervention may experience delays or closures.

Impact on the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline: Layoffs have reportedly affected employees who operate this vital service, potentially reducing its capacity to respond to those in crisis.

Fewer Training Opportunities: SAMHSA's initiatives, such as training peer recovery support specialists, may be scaled back, limiting the availability of trained professionals to assist those in need.

Disruption to Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs): SAMHSA ensures compliance with federal regulations for OTPs. Workforce reductions could hinder the operation and oversight of these programs.

These changes could exacerbate challenges for individuals seeking help for mental health or substance use issues, especially in underserved regions.”

We already have a mental health crisis happening. It WILL get worse. SAMSHA is an integral part of our health system and with it being cut like this people will be harmed. Deaths WILL occur.

This make me very sad and afraid for Americans who rely on SAMSHA for mental health services.

12/26/2024

Wishing you and yours a beautiful holiday and 8 crazy nights! ☺️

12/25/2024

Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday! #

11/26/2024

Book of the week! Really enjoying this book…helpful as a therapist but also helpful if you’re not. Narcissism is a spectrum and if you’re lucky you won’t be exposed to a diagnosable narcissist.

I feel like a lot of the information discussed in this book can be applied to to non narcissistic people as well. Highly recommend! Link in my bio and if you buy I receive a small commission. As always, I won’t recommend a book I haven’t read and enjoyed. ☺️

11/26/2024

My bestie sent me this and it’s so accurate! 😂 How many books do you have on your nightstand ? Currently I have 2. 😅 And more stacked up in my office!

11/22/2024

Thank goodness. It's that time of year. 🙃

11/18/2024

I'm over it. Insurance in America is broken. No, I don't think repealing the ACA/Obamacare is the answer. I also don't think socialized medicine is the answer, either. But there has to be something in between.

11/14/2024

Take a look at this graphic. Which one are you? You might be more than one. 🩷 Credit to

11/11/2024

All of the empathetic listening, validation and affirmation I give to clients right now feels like slapping a band aid on a gaping wound. This applies to all clients, no matter who they voted for (and they don't necessarily tell me who). I'm sure other therapists would agree that we feel somewhat ineffective and unable to offer effective coping skills. When there is a common event (like COVID or the 2024 election) that both therapist and client are experiencing together, it can be difficult to provide the comfort, assistance and hopefulness everyone needs because therapists don't know what the future will bring. Normal coping skills of reality checking, thought stopping and others feel wrong or invalidating. Nevertheless, each day I give my authentic, true self to all of my clients and give them the safe, non-judgmental space to share their feelings and be heard. Sending everyone love and light. 🩷

11/07/2024

EVERYPAWTY! Here is a picture of the sleeping coonhound therpawist, Baxter. He says that cuddles are mandatory during his sessions and he accepts rawhide bones as payment. 🐶🦴🐾

Today I planned to post information on fighting your insurance company but it just didn’t feel like the right time so I will save it for another day.

I recognize you likely still have a lot of feelings and emotions that you haven’t processed and that is okay. Don’t rush yourself or the process. Allow yourself to feel whatever you feel. 🩷

Eventually, we will move past the shock and begin to build back up. For now, let yourself grieve, cry, scream, laugh when something is funny, hug your loved ones and just be. Sending positive energy and vibes to all. ✨

11/06/2024

Clarification: I don't know what to say to my clients. ALL of them. Usually I have the ability to take a step back and be more objective (since that's what we learn in grad school) except no one told us we would have to deal with 2 things (COVID and the election) that affect ALL of us. When something affects everyone in the country it is very difficult to separate yourself from that thing that's happening and be objective. I can absolutely put myself in ALL client's shoes and I guess that is what I will focus on. Approaching it all with curiosity and allowing myself to feel the feelings. Feel YOUR feelings. Cry. Laugh. Rage journal. Celebrate. Whatever feelings you have, experience them. 🩷