Episode 605: "Therapy Deserts: What Are They? Where Are They? What Needs to Change?”
07/25/23 • 62 min
The term “therapy desert” is relatively new. Or at least, many people are learning about it for the first time. Because while talking about and even going to therapy has become way less stigmatized over the course of the last three years, there are still places without the resources, necessary infrastructure (like internet access and public transportation), and even the language to be able to access it. Therapy costs money, a lot of money, but how can you address the financial barrier when there isn’t even a counselor within a 60-mile radius of where you live? And to put this into a number perspective: There are currently 570 counties in the US without psychologists, psychiatrists, or counselors. That’s 17% of counties in the country.
To assist us in answering some questions about therapy deserts like: What are they? Where are they? And what can we do to address them? We’re joined by two wonderful folks that are bringing professional and personal experience to the mic.
Our first guest is JoAnn or “Jodi” Davis, who is an MS, LPC, and NCC that currently works at a comprehensive homelessness program in Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Texas A&M University and a Master of Science in Counseling from the University of North Texas. When not providing therapy or doing advocacy work, Jodi often volunteers at local therapeutic horsemanship programs. Jodi's favorite hobbies include drinking way too much coffee, cruising down backroads, and taking selfies with various dogs and farm animals.
And our second guest is no stranger to this podcast. Bianca Mujica is TWLOHA’s Community Care Coordinator, which means her work focuses on finding inclusive and creative ways to connect with supporters online. She is a Mexican-American queer woman from Texas with a background in journalism and a love for language. Outside of work, she can be found eating lots of pasta, cuddling with her dog, and creating colorful pieces of art.
Show Notes (Links of ours and guests):
Download a transcript of this episode at twloha.com/podcast.
Follow TWLOHA on social media at:
facebook.com/towriteloveonherarms/
Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at twloha.com/find-help/.
Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741.
Connect with our team by emailing [email protected].
Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at twloha.com/podcast.
Download TWLOHA’s daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at twloha.com/thehopeful/.
To read blogs penned by JoAnn Davis, go to https://twloha.com/blog/author/joann-davis/
To read blogs penned by Bianca Mujica, go to https://twloha.com/blog/author/bianca-mujica/.
Credits:
This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.
The term “therapy desert” is relatively new. Or at least, many people are learning about it for the first time. Because while talking about and even going to therapy has become way less stigmatized over the course of the last three years, there are still places without the resources, necessary infrastructure (like internet access and public transportation), and even the language to be able to access it. Therapy costs money, a lot of money, but how can you address the financial barrier when there isn’t even a counselor within a 60-mile radius of where you live? And to put this into a number perspective: There are currently 570 counties in the US without psychologists, psychiatrists, or counselors. That’s 17% of counties in the country.
To assist us in answering some questions about therapy deserts like: What are they? Where are they? And what can we do to address them? We’re joined by two wonderful folks that are bringing professional and personal experience to the mic.
Our first guest is JoAnn or “Jodi” Davis, who is an MS, LPC, and NCC that currently works at a comprehensive homelessness program in Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Texas A&M University and a Master of Science in Counseling from the University of North Texas. When not providing therapy or doing advocacy work, Jodi often volunteers at local therapeutic horsemanship programs. Jodi's favorite hobbies include drinking way too much coffee, cruising down backroads, and taking selfies with various dogs and farm animals.
And our second guest is no stranger to this podcast. Bianca Mujica is TWLOHA’s Community Care Coordinator, which means her work focuses on finding inclusive and creative ways to connect with supporters online. She is a Mexican-American queer woman from Texas with a background in journalism and a love for language. Outside of work, she can be found eating lots of pasta, cuddling with her dog, and creating colorful pieces of art.
Show Notes (Links of ours and guests):
Download a transcript of this episode at twloha.com/podcast.
Follow TWLOHA on social media at:
facebook.com/towriteloveonherarms/
Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at twloha.com/find-help/.
Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741.
Connect with our team by emailing [email protected].
Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at twloha.com/podcast.
Download TWLOHA’s daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at twloha.com/thehopeful/.
To read blogs penned by JoAnn Davis, go to https://twloha.com/blog/author/joann-davis/
To read blogs penned by Bianca Mujica, go to https://twloha.com/blog/author/bianca-mujica/.
Credits:
This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.
Previous Episode
Episode 604: "Body Dysmorphia in the Age of Filters + Celebrity Culture"
Even before social media and influencers, celebrity culture has permeated our senses through magazines, billboards, advertisements, TV shows, and movies. We’re told what is and isn’t attractive or desired when it comes to the way we look on the outside. And now, with technology at our fingertips, with filters on nearly every image our eyes take in, and with products and routines that will supposedly transform us into the individual we’re admiring, it’s no wonder so many of us deal with dysmorphic thinking when it comes to our bodies.
In addition to body dysmorphia, there’s also body positivity and more recently, body neutrality. To explore all three of those things and more, we’re joined by Alex Jones and Auslyn James.
Alex Jones (he/him) is an Ohio native and has been a designer at TWLOHA for seven years and counting. Alex grew up doodling on any scrap of paper that came his way and still enjoys creative pursuits like photography, illustration, and lettering. When he’s not slinging designs at work or at home, he can often be found at the nearest theater watching the latest Oscar winners or nominees or playing games like “Up and Down the River” with friends.
Auslyn James (she/her), TWLOHA’s Director of People Operations, has spent a number of years honing her craft and is a Senior Certified Professional in Human Resources as well as Certified in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. When she isn’t doing all things HR, she can be found traveling, walking along the beach, hanging with friends, or video-chatting with her family. Auslyn is originally from the small island of Antigua but has spent the majority of her life living in NY before moving to Central Florida seven years ago.
Show Notes (Links of ours and guests):
Download a transcript of this episode at twloha.com/podcast.
Follow TWLOHA on social media at:
facebook.com/towriteloveonherarms/
Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at twloha.com/find-help/.
Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741.
Connect with our team by emailing [email protected].
Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at twloha.com/podcast.
Download TWLOHA’s daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at twloha.com/thehopeful/.
To read the blog by Claire Biggs mentioned in the episode, go to https://twloha.com/blog/demi-lovato-is-only-human-recovery-relapse-and-response/.
Credits:
This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.
Next Episode
Episode 606: "The Woes of Using Fashion as a Mental Health Check”
Whether it’s our own perceptions or what the media has designated, when it comes to fashion and clothing choices, we make quick assumptions based on what someone is wearing. All black? You must be emotional or depressed or troubled. Bright and light? You must be carefree and happy. We see people’s mental well-being placed into boxes based on what’s in their closets and on their bodies. At the same time, there’s also space for our fashion choices to express who we are and what we like.
To help us address the woes of using fashion as a mental health check, we’re joined by TWLOHA staff members Alex Jones and Amber Gardner.
Alex Jones (he/him) is an Ohio native and has been a designer at TWLOHA for seven years and counting. Alex grew up doodling on any scrap of paper that came his way and still enjoys creative pursuits like photography, illustration, and lettering. When he’s not slinging designs at work or at home, he can often be found at the nearest theater watching the latest Oscar winners or nominees or playing games like “Up and Down the River” with friends.
Amber Gardner (she/her) works as TWLOHA’s Director of Partnerships, and is originally from the Northeast but currently calls Nevada home. When she isn’t cultivating relationships with both companies + individuals invested in mental health advocacy, you can find her hiking with her dog Lola, growing her plant collection (she used to name them but no longer does), or traveling the world (her favorite place thus far is Snowdonia National Park in Wales). As for this year, Amber is most looking forward to visiting Italy.
Show Notes (Links of ours and guests):
Download a transcript of this episode at twloha.com/podcast.
Follow TWLOHA on social media at:
facebook.com/towriteloveonherarms/
Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at twloha.com/find-help/.
Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741.
Connect with our team by emailing [email protected].
Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at twloha.com/podcast.
Download TWLOHA’s daily-use self-care app, The Hopeful, at twloha.com/thehopeful/.
Credits:
This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor.
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