Bridge Counseling and Wellness

11/07/2025

Check out Bridge Co-founder and creator of our Bridge Academy, Juniper Owens, featured in Leo Magazine discussing how to improve counselor education!

Juniper Owens, co-founder of Bridge Counseling and Wellness, argues that outdated and inadequate continuing education harms both therapists and clients. She calls for a complete overhaul of therapist training to ensure ethical, evidence-based, and culturally competent care.

07/07/2025

The Mental Health Insurance Reform Task Force has a new fb page. Please give it a like and help us advocate for an insurance system that actually works for the people it claims to serves. There's a reason not all therapists will accept insurance, and it is not because they just don't want to......

The 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞, a provider-led coalition working to improve how insurance works for both clinicians and clients.

We’ve been organizing since August 2024, but we just launched our official page, so thank you for joining us!

Many providers are no longer able to accept insurance because reimbursement rates are too low to sustain a quality practice without burnout or sacrificing personal well-being. As a result, people who need to use their insurance face unnecessary barriers and limitations to accessing care.

Meanwhile, insurance CEOs earn more in a single day than the average therapist earns in a year. We believe some of those resources should be reinvested into building a mutually respectful system of care that actually serves the people it claims to. With impending Medicaid cuts, this work is more important than ever.

We’re advocating for:
❤️‍🔥Fair provider reimbursement by insurance companies
❤️‍🔥Stronger provider and client protections
❤️‍🔥A more ethical, transparent, and accessible healthcare insurance system accessible to everyone regardless of income level

Upcoming meetings for mental health providers:

𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
Tuesday, July 8 at 10:00 AM EST
Email nicole at Bridge mind body dot com for the zoom link

𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐌𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐅 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠(open to all states)
Wednesday, July 9 at 10:00 AM EST
Email for the link

𝐈𝐧-𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬:

𝐁𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧, 𝐊𝐘
Thursday, August 14 | 5:30–7 PM CT
One Roof Event Space
Guest Speaker: Dr. Patti Minter

𝐋𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧, 𝐊𝐘
Wednesday, August 20 | 5:30–7 PM ET
TownePlace Suites Marriott
Guest Speaker: Rep. Lindsay Burke

Thank you for your support!! Together we can co-create more just and equitable systems that serve the whole rather than just a select few. We are stronger together!!

28/04/2025

The 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 is hosting our first live event— 𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 — in Louisville, KY!

We’re thrilled to announce that State Representative Lisa Willner and Dr. Sheila Schuster ( Kentucky Voices for Health, Advocacy Action Network, etc) will be our guest speakers.

This is a free event with dinner and CEUs included.

Please 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 and/or spread the word with all the local therapists you know!

If you are out of state (or otherwise can't attend), you can still mark your calendars for our next 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 zoom meeting on 𝟓/𝟏𝟒 𝐚𝐭 𝟏𝟎𝐚𝐦 𝐄𝐒𝐓.

We have representatives from several states attend and are building a state-by-state guide to insurance reform so we can grow and learn together!

We aim to improve the way mental health professionals are treated by insurance companies so that it is more sustainable for providers to accept insurance and by doing so increase access to affordable care in KY and beyond.

Teamwork makes the dream work, so if you feel called to join us, let's go!!!

🙏❤️‍🔥🙏

14/04/2025

The Mental Health Insurance Reform Task Force has created a provider petition to give Commissioner Clark.

We were told when we met with her and the KY Department of Insurance that they would review insurance reimbursement policies if enough people raised the issue.

Providers and consumers can work together to help this 1.3 trillion dollar industry benefit more than just the top healthcare insurance executives!

Mental health parity is not just about fair treatment of mental health providers—it is about real access to care.

Many therapists simply can't afford to accept insurance under the current system if they also want to keep their profession both financially and emotionally sustainable.

That means Kentucky residents are left with insurance in name only, unable to access the mental health services they need.

The MHIRTF stands ready to support DOI efforts to enforce reimbursement parity and ensure that all Kentuckians can access the mental health care they deserve.

Please share this petition with any mental health providers you know!

https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/mental-health-matters-lets-make-reimbursement-fair?source=direct_link&

If you aren't a provider but want to sign, there is a text box option to state you are a concerned KY resident who wants to add your name.

Please continue to share your health insurance concerns and ideas at build better health dot org and email me at nicole at bridgemindbody dot com to get involved with the MHIRTF!!

❤️‍🔥We are stronger together!❤️‍🔥

29/03/2025

We formed the 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 this past summer to advocate for fair treatment of mental health providers by insurance companies so more therapists could sustainably accept insurance and increase access to care for those seeking services.

We’re still working on legislation to address those barriers.

But as we’ve come to better understand the inner workings of the system, we were reminded:

🔥The harm caused by the current health insurance model isn’t limited to mental health—it runs through all of healthcare.

🔥Something foundational must change.

🔥Excessive profits in the hands of a few, at the expense of many, is not a system we condone.

If you’ve struggled with access, denials, surprise bills, or finding a provider—you are not alone. And you are not without power.

Today, we launch www.buildbetterhealth.org—a platform for providers, consumers, and witnesses of the system to share their experiences with healthcare insurance and help guide us forward in building something new.

We believe a more mutually respectful, collectively minded approach to healthcare is not only possible—it’s necessary. And we are committed to doing everything we can to build better health in Kentucky and beyond.

Your voice matters. Visit www.buildbetterhealth.org to share your stories and help create what comes next.

❤️‍🔥🐉❤️‍🔥

05/03/2025

We do not support protections for conversion therapy by that or any other name. Read more in this attached op ed article or listen to a three part series that we began in December 2024 on our Conscious Mental Health podcast (found wherever you get your podcast and on YouTube) to better understand why.

If you are the parent or guardian of a transgender, non-binary or otherwise LGTBQ+ child, we can help support you and your child in an ethical and data informed way that honors their health, safety and right to be themselves.

Kentucky legislators are trying to provide legal cover for the harmful practice of conversion therapy. We are deeply alarmed by House Bill 495.

26/02/2025

Shout out to all the KY Social Workers who showed up in great numbers yesterday at our Capitol to support legislative priorities that lift and protect our community such as increasing access to mental healthcare for all. Not only did you show up yesterday, but you show up every day to serve and support those in our communities who need it most. THANK YOU!!!

Special shout out to heart-led leader, Brenda Rosen, Executive Director of , who received a much deserved award for her ongoing dedication and service. She is pictured here with myself and Carolynn Lee of Society for Clinical Social Work. Both of these women have attended nearly every Mental Health Insurance Reform Task Force meeting we've held in addition to maintaining their other advocacy efforts and have offered incredible mentorship and guidance in our efforts towards real, meaningful, and collectively minded insurance reform. THANK YOU!!!

If you are a social worker or therapist and want to start participating in our advocacy efforts via the Mental Health Insurance Reform Task Force, or if you just want to stay informed of our efforts and progress, please email Nicole at Bridge Mind Body dot com.

And, if you want to follow the legislative priorities of KY Social Workers, you can learn more at naswky dot socialworkers dot org /Advocacy. We are stronger together!!!

26/02/2025

Bridge Counseling and Wellness was honored to be a sponsor of NAMI Louisville's Spirit of Peace Dinner Monday evening.

Like NAMI Ambassador, Bilal Powell of 29th and 9th Foundation, so eloquently said, mental health does not discriminate. Mental "illness" can affect anyone regardless of political party, race, gender, etc. But sometimes people with mental health struggles are discriminated against.

That is why the team at NAMI Louisville work hard every day to destigmatize mental illness and create support systems like the Crisis Intervention Team Trainings for LMPD which help keep folx experiencing a mental health crisis out of jail and treatment accessible.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with a mental health emergency, NAMI is a big reason that 988 is an option to call.

Check out their page to learn more about the work NAMI does here in Louisville and donate to the cause if you can.

10/02/2025

Thank you to everyone who donated to our winter drive in support of the houseless in our community. With your help, we were able to send a truckload of stuffed backpacks to VOCAL-Kentucky to distribute to folx in need of the most basic necessities. We are stronger together!

10/11/2024

Join Sarah for a chakra alignment sound healing on November 21st at 7:30pm. This meditation sound bath will assist in aligning and cleansing your chakra system. 💫
A sound bath is a full body, meditative experience where sound vibrations are used to cleanse and align your energy system.✨

Mats and props are provided however feel free to bring whatever helps you feel relaxed and comfortable. Investment of $25, link to sign up in bio or visit bridgemindbody.com

28/10/2024

We are excited to be in partnership with Gilda's Club Kentuckiana to bring this FREE women’s group for Spanish speakers to our community. Group is held in Spanish and space is limited to 12 participants. Contact Martha Sanchez at 502.371.3064 or visit gck.org for more info and to sign up!

Estamos muy contentos de asociarnos con Gilda's Club Kentuckiana para traer este grupo GRATUITO para mujeres hispanohablantes a nuestra comunidad. El grupo se lleva a cabo en español y el cupo está limitado a 12 participantes.
¡Comuníquese con Martha Sánchez al 502.371.3064 o visite gck.org para obtener más información y registrarse!

10/10/2024

Thank you for voting us the best mental health provider in the Readers’ Choice Awards! ❤️‍🔥

We’re honored to continue to serve our community every day and to do it with the best team of providers around! 🙏🏼💙