The elections are over. President Obama won his second term. Unemployment has increased in Massachusetts over the past few months despite modest gains. What is the real story in Massachusetts? As an observer, I am hearing that many older workers over the age of 45 years old are having a difficult time finding gainful employment. Why is this so? The answer is age discrimination. It is a fact that older workers cost employers more money to hire. For those who may not know, health insurance costs go up when an employer hires an older worker as well as having to pay most of them a competitive higher salary than a younger worker. When one attends workshops at the career centers at the unemployement offices, majority of the attendees are older workers who have been laid off after working for an employer for a long time. Ironically, when many of these workers go for interviews, they are being interviewed by employees twenty years younger than them.
The common responses some of them hear are that "they are not qualifed for the job" when in fact they worked in that field for a long time. Also, some of these older workers have been bullied out of their jobs so their employer can hire younger workers. Unfortunately, it is difficult to prove age discrimination since majority of these cases are not from a protected class.
Some of the jobs that older workers are finding are low paying retail jobs with some health benefits if they are able to afford it. Or finding fee for service jobs in healthcare or commission jobs that take awhile to build up for gainful employment. Furthermore, there is one program that only hires older workers who are income eligible. They work a part-time human service job for one year while collecting benefits. If they are lucky, the employer may hire them if funds are available. I would like to see the statistics on how many of these workers do get hired from this program.
What can be done to increase gainful employment among older workers? Here are some tips:
1) Contact your state or federal representatives to inform them of your difficulties in finding gain employment. Tell them that age discrimination is causing you to not be hired.
2) Attend local support groups and classes in your town such as the Shrewsbury Public Library that can provide you with resources in your job search.
3) Blog about your experiences so politicians can learn about your experiences being unemployed.
4) See a counselor if you need to vent about your frustrations and learn some coping skills to get you through these difficult times.
5) Exercise! Exercise! Exercise!!! The adrenaline rush can help you find creative ways to find work or ideas to network.
6) Network! Network! Network! Attend meetings at the local chamber of commerce in your area.
7)Continue to attend workshops at your local career centers at the unemployment offices. Work with your job counselor to find opportunities and unadvertised positions.
8) Social media outlets such as Linkedin can be helpful though I don't know the statistics on how many people find gainful employment.
9) Remember to take deep breaths when you need a break from your job search. If you can work a part-time job while looking for gainful employment, do so but remember to report your earnings to unemployment.
10) Support the Massachusetts Healthy Workplace Bill H.2310 to prevent and to give workers much added protections in the workplace. Steps have been put in to prevent unnecessary lawsuits
8) Social media outlets such as Linkedin can be helpful though I don't know the statistics on how many people find gainful employment.
9) Remember to take deep breaths when you need a break from your job search. If you can work a part-time job while looking for gainful employment, do so but remember to report your earnings to unemployment.
10) Support the Massachusetts Healthy Workplace Bill H.2310 to prevent and to give workers much added protections in the workplace. Steps have been put in to prevent unnecessary lawsuits
Monday, November 12, 2012
Sunday, November 4, 2012
The Rise in Teen Gambling
Did you know that 9.5% of youth are affected by problem gambling in Massachusetts?
Did you also know that 2.8% of youth are identifed as having pathological/compulsive gambling problems in Massachusetts?
What is the difference between problem gambling and pathological/compulsive gambling?
Answer: The former is abuse and the latter is an addiction.
Question: What is the main source of gambling for youths?
Answer: Internet gaming.
Question: What is one way youths pay to engage in gambling activities?
Answer: They buy prepaid credit cards in the local stores.
I could not believe how problem and pathological gambling is a growing problem for our youth. While it is no surprise that many use the internet to gamble, it is now a major public health issue for this population.
People often ask what are the similarities between substance abuse and problem/pathological gambling. The common factors that cause these behaviors are emotional difficulties; impulsivity; and stress. Both also involve a loss of control. On brain scans, it shows that the same pathways and cells not only light up but also an increase in size for the neural pathways and an increase in the number of cells growing.
The major differences between the above addictions are problem gambling involves getting instant rewards and bailouts from family members/friends who pay for their debts.
Here two basic questions as a screening tool to ask your child/teen who may be having a problem with gambling:
1)Have you ever felt the need to bet more and more money?
2) Have you ever had to lie to people important to you about how much you gamble?
If you answered "Yes" to one or both questions, please contact the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling at 1-800-426-1234.
There is a website designed for and by teens on problem gambling at www.teensknowyourlimits.org.
I found the above information to be very helpful in increasing my professional knowledge and awareness as a professional counselor in Shrewsbury. I thank the Massachusetts Compulsive Gambling for providing this training on this topic to providers
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
From the Office of Robbin Miller, LMHC
Educational Services Now Being Offered and Starting in June 2012.
“Acomplishing your Goals One at a Time.”
The following are educational services being offered for a fee. Please note that insurance companies do not pay for them as they are considered informational and not out of medical necessity.
Adoption Choices: How to Stay Sane and Balanced
Are you curious about the options involved in wanting to adopt a child? As a parent of an adopted child, I learned the ins and outs from various resources over the years. While it took my spouse and five years to adopt, we learned how agencies don’t tell you everything you need to know due to their hidden agendas.
Objectives:
1) Learn about the three options to adopt.
2) Learn about questions to ask adoption agencies
3) Preparing for the homestudy visit
Fee: $ 150.00 for an hour and half
The ABC’s of Advocacy:
Do you know how to advocate for yourself in the following areas:
Workplace
Healthcare
Where You Live
Objectives:
1) Learn how to organize your thoughts and issues on paper
2) Learn about different tools that can be used to advocate for yourself.
Please note that the workshop is for informational purposes only.
Fee: $ 60.00 an hour.
Career Coaching:
Are you starting a new job after college graduation?
Are you anxious about your career path?
Do you feel overwhelmed in managing your career with your personal life?
Objectives:
1) Learn how to sort through your thought patterns and feelings. What are the hidden meanings behind them?
2) Learn how to plan short and long term options
3) Learn about developing a wellness plan to create the healthy balance in your life.
Fee: $ 35.00 an hour for graduates of higher education.
Financial Education:
Do you know how to budget?
The decision to choose a consolidation companies: non-profit vs for profit
Objectives:
1) Learn about different ways to budget your money that works for you.
2) Learn about the ins/outs of consolidation companies
Fee: $ 40.00 for an hour.
For more information, please email at rmillerchat@aol.com or call me at 508-450-5593.
Educational Services Now Being Offered and Starting in June 2012.
“Acomplishing your Goals One at a Time.”
The following are educational services being offered for a fee. Please note that insurance companies do not pay for them as they are considered informational and not out of medical necessity.
Adoption Choices: How to Stay Sane and Balanced
Are you curious about the options involved in wanting to adopt a child? As a parent of an adopted child, I learned the ins and outs from various resources over the years. While it took my spouse and five years to adopt, we learned how agencies don’t tell you everything you need to know due to their hidden agendas.
Objectives:
1) Learn about the three options to adopt.
2) Learn about questions to ask adoption agencies
3) Preparing for the homestudy visit
Fee: $ 150.00 for an hour and half
The ABC’s of Advocacy:
Do you know how to advocate for yourself in the following areas:
Workplace
Healthcare
Where You Live
Objectives:
1) Learn how to organize your thoughts and issues on paper
2) Learn about different tools that can be used to advocate for yourself.
Please note that the workshop is for informational purposes only.
Fee: $ 60.00 an hour.
Career Coaching:
Are you starting a new job after college graduation?
Are you anxious about your career path?
Do you feel overwhelmed in managing your career with your personal life?
Objectives:
1) Learn how to sort through your thought patterns and feelings. What are the hidden meanings behind them?
2) Learn how to plan short and long term options
3) Learn about developing a wellness plan to create the healthy balance in your life.
Fee: $ 35.00 an hour for graduates of higher education.
Financial Education:
Do you know how to budget?
The decision to choose a consolidation companies: non-profit vs for profit
Objectives:
1) Learn about different ways to budget your money that works for you.
2) Learn about the ins/outs of consolidation companies
Fee: $ 40.00 for an hour.
For more information, please email at rmillerchat@aol.com or call me at 508-450-5593.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Support Anti-Bullying Laws in the Workplace
I am hearing from all fronts of the increased incidents of workers being bullied by either their co-workers/supervisors in their places of employment. Currently advocates are pushing for a bill entitled, the Massachusettes Healthly Workplace law,that would make bullying a criminal act and will enable employees to seek damages against the employee and/or against their employer. Unfortunately, employees who suffer or endure workplace bullying have no legal recourse unless the behaviors are proven to be discriminatory in nature by a third party.
Please note that there were be provisions in place to prevent frivolous lawsuits.
Workplace bullying is defined as:
" targeted, health-endangering mistreatment of a worker by a supervisor or co-worker." (www.MaHealthlyWorkplace.com).
Examples of bullying behaviors include loud and abusive language, false accusations, isolation, purposely withholding of information, negative and offensive emails, sabotage, and unequitable heavy work demands and expectations.
What are the psychological and physical costs associated with bullying in the workplace? Workers suffer from:
1) Anxiety attacks
2) Clinical depression
3) Post-Traumatic Disorders
4) High Blood Pressure
5) Heart Disease
6) Nighmares
7) Other physical conditions
I endured workplace bullying from a former supervisor at an adult foster care program two years ago. She accused me of not following her directions and not doing my work after telling me a month earlier that I was performing satisfactory on the job. She forced me to repeat back her directions to her where her face turned bright red and her neck muscles tensed up. She demanded answers from me on why I was not following her directions. In fact, when she met with my counterpart two hours earlier to discuss the same issues we were both having, she gave her positive feedback and guidance on how to do a better job while I received the above treatment. My colleague told me this information when we met after my meeting with the supervisor.
What was her motive? It seemed to be that she wanted to make my counterpart, who was twenty years younger than me with no experience working with the aged, a full-time employee who was working part-time at the time. I can never forget during the month of July 2009 how she quickly made up three insubordination reports in a matter of weeks against me. I informed human resources and her supervisor about her mistreatment towards me at work. Unfortunately, they ignored my pleas and,instead, played along with her devious tactics to get me terminated. Though, I suffered from minor clinical depression and intensed anxiety during this time, my world changed for the better after I was fired. A few days later in August, I received a surprised telephone call that a boy needed to be adopted out of state. The higher power provided me with a different perspective on what was important to me in my life and a change in my career.
Unfortunately, there is no legal recourse for me to sue her in court for bullying me since Massachusetts has not passed a law yet. My case was found to not be age discrimination by a third party due to their narrowed and biased viewpoints of considering all the facts objectively.
I decided to move on by telling my story and promoting the above bill. I also work with individuals who have suffered from workplace bullying by providing them coping skills and educating them on the psychological nature of bullies.
I have forgiven the bully supervisor by understanding that her actions toward me no longer have control over my life. I believe in the universal paradigm that "What comes around, goes around." It is not me who has to make amends with the higher power and with your soul. I am ay peace by refocusing my energies on doing things in my life that bring my joy and purpose in my life. If I happen to see her again in a public setting, I will ignore her.
Please note that there were be provisions in place to prevent frivolous lawsuits.
Workplace bullying is defined as:
" targeted, health-endangering mistreatment of a worker by a supervisor or co-worker." (www.MaHealthlyWorkplace.com).
Examples of bullying behaviors include loud and abusive language, false accusations, isolation, purposely withholding of information, negative and offensive emails, sabotage, and unequitable heavy work demands and expectations.
What are the psychological and physical costs associated with bullying in the workplace? Workers suffer from:
1) Anxiety attacks
2) Clinical depression
3) Post-Traumatic Disorders
4) High Blood Pressure
5) Heart Disease
6) Nighmares
7) Other physical conditions
I endured workplace bullying from a former supervisor at an adult foster care program two years ago. She accused me of not following her directions and not doing my work after telling me a month earlier that I was performing satisfactory on the job. She forced me to repeat back her directions to her where her face turned bright red and her neck muscles tensed up. She demanded answers from me on why I was not following her directions. In fact, when she met with my counterpart two hours earlier to discuss the same issues we were both having, she gave her positive feedback and guidance on how to do a better job while I received the above treatment. My colleague told me this information when we met after my meeting with the supervisor.
What was her motive? It seemed to be that she wanted to make my counterpart, who was twenty years younger than me with no experience working with the aged, a full-time employee who was working part-time at the time. I can never forget during the month of July 2009 how she quickly made up three insubordination reports in a matter of weeks against me. I informed human resources and her supervisor about her mistreatment towards me at work. Unfortunately, they ignored my pleas and,instead, played along with her devious tactics to get me terminated. Though, I suffered from minor clinical depression and intensed anxiety during this time, my world changed for the better after I was fired. A few days later in August, I received a surprised telephone call that a boy needed to be adopted out of state. The higher power provided me with a different perspective on what was important to me in my life and a change in my career.
Unfortunately, there is no legal recourse for me to sue her in court for bullying me since Massachusetts has not passed a law yet. My case was found to not be age discrimination by a third party due to their narrowed and biased viewpoints of considering all the facts objectively.
I decided to move on by telling my story and promoting the above bill. I also work with individuals who have suffered from workplace bullying by providing them coping skills and educating them on the psychological nature of bullies.
I have forgiven the bully supervisor by understanding that her actions toward me no longer have control over my life. I believe in the universal paradigm that "What comes around, goes around." It is not me who has to make amends with the higher power and with your soul. I am ay peace by refocusing my energies on doing things in my life that bring my joy and purpose in my life. If I happen to see her again in a public setting, I will ignore her.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Ten Tips for Starting a Private Practice
1) Locate an office site so you can start the process of applying for insurance panels. Whether you use your home or pay rent for space, all health insurance providers need your address to start the ball rolling. If you just want to do private pay, you still need an office location to start your marketing plan and networking with others.
2) In Massachusetts, mental health professionals have to register for the CAQH-Council Accreditation for Qualty Healthcare-for insurance panels to get their information on their credentials. The CAQH is a two hour process to fill out the information required for panels to access your information. The CAQH is designed as s “one shop stopping place” for professionals to document their credentialing information so all insurance panels can get the same information.
3) Pick and choose insurance panels you want to apply to. Some are open to new providers, others are not. One insurance panel is closed to all new mental health providers in my area although there are less providers in this panel to service the mental health needs of their clients. It is important to be a “Nag” in calling these panels to verify that you received your information and checking up when you will be approved.
4) If you are interested, you may want to apply to Employee Assistance Program panels to get referrals. You can get a list of such providers by googling “EAPs” or going through your local telephone book or through word of mouth. There are national EAPs as well as local ones in your area. Each EAP have their own pay scale on how much providers get paid for their service. On a side note, it took me five years to get on one EAP panel after management replaced all its workers this year. Apparently, someone at this company did not want me to serve as an EAP provider due to not wanting to upset their colleague who counsels ADHD clients like I do.
5) Check out local office supplies and websites for getting business cards and other office items. I find that www.vistaprint.com is one of the best websites to order business cards. Once you get on their email list, they send you daily different offers to attract your business. Some providers also use Staples or Office Depot to order their business cards as well.
6) There are also businesses and websites that offer low costs for building your website. I found that having a website did not bring me any business. It is an individual decision to decide if investing in a website is worth your time and money.
7) Networking with Primary Care Offices is a wonderful way to attract business. I found that after getting one client from a PCP’s office resulted in me being put on their list for clients to refer to for mental health referrals.
If you want to earn money for your business, do workshops for a reasonable fee on topics relevant to their employees. For example, I will be conducting a few trainings for a local healthcare provider in the fall for their staff. My goal is be on their permanent list as a trainer for their staffing needs. In the past, I have done a few workshops where I have been invited back on a yearly basis to conduct future trainings.
9) Another way to attract private pay clients is to take their co-pays while you want to approved by their insurance panels. Some providers are doing this as a way to attract new business to their practice. You can also offer a sliding scale fee as well.
10) Blogging for free for local newspaper sites is a great way to get your name out. I blog for one local newspaper for free since the beginning of summer. However, I don’t use my credentials due to liability purposes. I do have folks in my town reading my blogs as the word is getting out.
It is up to you to put the time and effort in to start your private practice. Some colleagues are hiring others to do their “footwork” for them in getting on insurance panels. I heard mixed reports from a few who hired others to help them and were not happy the results. It is up to you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robbin Miller is a counselor who specializes in mindfulness meditation; Positive Psychology; and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies; and is also a volunteer cable access producer and co-host of her show, “Miller Chat” in Massachusetts.
2) In Massachusetts, mental health professionals have to register for the CAQH-Council Accreditation for Qualty Healthcare-for insurance panels to get their information on their credentials. The CAQH is a two hour process to fill out the information required for panels to access your information. The CAQH is designed as s “one shop stopping place” for professionals to document their credentialing information so all insurance panels can get the same information.
3) Pick and choose insurance panels you want to apply to. Some are open to new providers, others are not. One insurance panel is closed to all new mental health providers in my area although there are less providers in this panel to service the mental health needs of their clients. It is important to be a “Nag” in calling these panels to verify that you received your information and checking up when you will be approved.
4) If you are interested, you may want to apply to Employee Assistance Program panels to get referrals. You can get a list of such providers by googling “EAPs” or going through your local telephone book or through word of mouth. There are national EAPs as well as local ones in your area. Each EAP have their own pay scale on how much providers get paid for their service. On a side note, it took me five years to get on one EAP panel after management replaced all its workers this year. Apparently, someone at this company did not want me to serve as an EAP provider due to not wanting to upset their colleague who counsels ADHD clients like I do.
5) Check out local office supplies and websites for getting business cards and other office items. I find that www.vistaprint.com is one of the best websites to order business cards. Once you get on their email list, they send you daily different offers to attract your business. Some providers also use Staples or Office Depot to order their business cards as well.
6) There are also businesses and websites that offer low costs for building your website. I found that having a website did not bring me any business. It is an individual decision to decide if investing in a website is worth your time and money.
7) Networking with Primary Care Offices is a wonderful way to attract business. I found that after getting one client from a PCP’s office resulted in me being put on their list for clients to refer to for mental health referrals.
If you want to earn money for your business, do workshops for a reasonable fee on topics relevant to their employees. For example, I will be conducting a few trainings for a local healthcare provider in the fall for their staff. My goal is be on their permanent list as a trainer for their staffing needs. In the past, I have done a few workshops where I have been invited back on a yearly basis to conduct future trainings.
9) Another way to attract private pay clients is to take their co-pays while you want to approved by their insurance panels. Some providers are doing this as a way to attract new business to their practice. You can also offer a sliding scale fee as well.
10) Blogging for free for local newspaper sites is a great way to get your name out. I blog for one local newspaper for free since the beginning of summer. However, I don’t use my credentials due to liability purposes. I do have folks in my town reading my blogs as the word is getting out.
It is up to you to put the time and effort in to start your private practice. Some colleagues are hiring others to do their “footwork” for them in getting on insurance panels. I heard mixed reports from a few who hired others to help them and were not happy the results. It is up to you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robbin Miller is a counselor who specializes in mindfulness meditation; Positive Psychology; and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies; and is also a volunteer cable access producer and co-host of her show, “Miller Chat” in Massachusetts.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Tidbits to the Graduating Class of 2011:
Congratulations to the graduate students from the Social Work and Mental Health programs across the program. Your hard work and dedication will pay off as you enter the “real world.” Here is the top ten list from a seasoned professional of fourteen years in the trenches:
10. Know who your supervisor will be in your first job after graduate school. One thing I learned is that having a unprofessional boss who exhibits unethical behaviors and is simply “rude” and “unkind” to you is not worth staying on the job. Know your rights when you have been taken advantage of and don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself.
9. Select a new job where the commute is reasonable and feasible. Why take a job that can wear and tear on your car and is far away from your home. If you do home visits as well, pick a job closer to home. Car repairs are very expensive.
8. Be aware of the parameters when taking a salary job as opposed to a fee for service job. If you don’t make productivity, you are in danger of losing your salary and benefits and being stuck as a fee for service clinician. Choose carefully and wisely.
7. To add to number 8, if you are in job that requires reaching unfair productivity quotas, be ethical in your billing practices. There are too many clinicians who bill for hourly sessions when they saw their client for a half hour if they double booked them that way.
6. Provide support for your colleagues by being non-competitive and being a good listener. Select an employer where the work environment can be a “second family” to you. I have been blessed twice over the years to have worked in this type of environment. It helped to decrease my stress levels very much.
5. Be nice to the administrative staff that does your billing and filing. Even though you are educated, it does not mean you are better than them. Treat them with compassion and kindness.
4. It sometimes pays to be choosey in deciding what clients you want to counsel. It is not ethically appropriate to see a client where their issues may push your buttons or is out of your league. If a client is not a good fit, please remember to not take it personally. If you wish to grow and expand your horizons in working with different clients, that is OK too. Just remember to know your limits and not use your “ego” to reach productivity standards that are beyond your control.
3. Customer Service applies when seeing your clients. If you offend them by accident, say you are sorry and be humble. Thank them for coming in to see you. Don’t forget to smile as well.
2. Keep up on the latest trends and knowledge in your profession. Go to conferences; attend workshops; read books and magazines; and stretch yourself to read books outside of your profession. I read books from the business sector to get ideas on how to perfect my customer service skills and to market my work to others.
1. Take care of yourself. If you need to speak to a counselor, go and do it. It does not help you and your client if you are not able to counsel them objectively and fairly. Choose at least three interest/pleasurable activities to engage in to get grounded and balanced.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robbin Miller is a counselor who specializes in mindfulness meditation; Positive Psychology; and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies; and is also a volunteer cable access producer and co-host of her show, “Miller Chat” in Massachusetts.
10. Know who your supervisor will be in your first job after graduate school. One thing I learned is that having a unprofessional boss who exhibits unethical behaviors and is simply “rude” and “unkind” to you is not worth staying on the job. Know your rights when you have been taken advantage of and don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself.
9. Select a new job where the commute is reasonable and feasible. Why take a job that can wear and tear on your car and is far away from your home. If you do home visits as well, pick a job closer to home. Car repairs are very expensive.
8. Be aware of the parameters when taking a salary job as opposed to a fee for service job. If you don’t make productivity, you are in danger of losing your salary and benefits and being stuck as a fee for service clinician. Choose carefully and wisely.
7. To add to number 8, if you are in job that requires reaching unfair productivity quotas, be ethical in your billing practices. There are too many clinicians who bill for hourly sessions when they saw their client for a half hour if they double booked them that way.
6. Provide support for your colleagues by being non-competitive and being a good listener. Select an employer where the work environment can be a “second family” to you. I have been blessed twice over the years to have worked in this type of environment. It helped to decrease my stress levels very much.
5. Be nice to the administrative staff that does your billing and filing. Even though you are educated, it does not mean you are better than them. Treat them with compassion and kindness.
4. It sometimes pays to be choosey in deciding what clients you want to counsel. It is not ethically appropriate to see a client where their issues may push your buttons or is out of your league. If a client is not a good fit, please remember to not take it personally. If you wish to grow and expand your horizons in working with different clients, that is OK too. Just remember to know your limits and not use your “ego” to reach productivity standards that are beyond your control.
3. Customer Service applies when seeing your clients. If you offend them by accident, say you are sorry and be humble. Thank them for coming in to see you. Don’t forget to smile as well.
2. Keep up on the latest trends and knowledge in your profession. Go to conferences; attend workshops; read books and magazines; and stretch yourself to read books outside of your profession. I read books from the business sector to get ideas on how to perfect my customer service skills and to market my work to others.
1. Take care of yourself. If you need to speak to a counselor, go and do it. It does not help you and your client if you are not able to counsel them objectively and fairly. Choose at least three interest/pleasurable activities to engage in to get grounded and balanced.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robbin Miller is a counselor who specializes in mindfulness meditation; Positive Psychology; and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies; and is also a volunteer cable access producer and co-host of her show, “Miller Chat” in Massachusetts.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Odds and Ends as Spring Arrives....
I love when Spring arrives in New England. "It comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb" as the saying goes. I have good news to report in my neck of the words. I wrote in the past about the inequities in the mental health system for children on commercial health insurances who need intensive services and can't access them. I am glad to hear that there is proposed legislation in Massachusetts to mandate that commercial insurance cover children who need intensive care coordiation for their mental health needs. What this acutally means is that counselors and social workers would get paid for doing collateral services such as going to school meetings and calling primary care doctors on behalf of their clients. At the present time, providers are unreimbursed for their time if they conduct these extra services outside of the counseling parameter for their clients. Over one thirty five organizations co-sponsor this legislation. The state chapter of the National Social Work Association is one the organizations co-sponsoring this bill. However, I don't know if the state chapter for Mental Health Counselors Association is co-sponsoring this bill as there is no information on their website (www.mamhca.org) that says they do. If anyone who belongs to this organization knows, please email me privately. If the bill passes, all children and not just those on Mass Health (medicaid) will receive due diligence for their mental health needs.
I am so glad to hear that the ACA is forming an Ethics Revision Task Force. I would like this Task Force to implement regulations on ethical billing practices. For example, there is some professionals who bill for an hour when they see their clients for only thirty minutes. The rationale is twofold: 1) They have productivity requirements to meet or lose their benefits and salaries if they don't meet their monthly quotas and; 2) Some agencies/practitioners operate on the principle if your client wishes to end thirty minutes early or comes late, you have the right to bill for an hour. I look forward to debate on this controversial issue. Another area to look at is Section F.11.c.Multicultural/
Diversity Competence. This area needs to include what cultural competencies are required to be taught to graduate students. Right now, some counseling programs across the country are not teaching their students to be disability sensitive when counseling those with physical and psychiatric disabilities. I speak from professional experiences working with graduate interns and fellow colleagues who have clients with disabilities. I welcome again your feedback on this topic area. The Task Force needs to look at how social networking mediums such as Facebook; Twitter; and Linkedin can affect the counselor-client relationshp. It is obvious that counselor should not "friend" their clients on Facebook. However, if you counsel a fellow colleague who wants to be in your linkedin group, what do you say? Can counselors/agencies twitter their clients on announcements? What do you think?
I wish everyone a Happy Easter and Passover in April.
I am so glad to hear that the ACA is forming an Ethics Revision Task Force. I would like this Task Force to implement regulations on ethical billing practices. For example, there is some professionals who bill for an hour when they see their clients for only thirty minutes. The rationale is twofold: 1) They have productivity requirements to meet or lose their benefits and salaries if they don't meet their monthly quotas and; 2) Some agencies/practitioners operate on the principle if your client wishes to end thirty minutes early or comes late, you have the right to bill for an hour. I look forward to debate on this controversial issue. Another area to look at is Section F.11.c.Multicultural/
Diversity Competence. This area needs to include what cultural competencies are required to be taught to graduate students. Right now, some counseling programs across the country are not teaching their students to be disability sensitive when counseling those with physical and psychiatric disabilities. I speak from professional experiences working with graduate interns and fellow colleagues who have clients with disabilities. I welcome again your feedback on this topic area. The Task Force needs to look at how social networking mediums such as Facebook; Twitter; and Linkedin can affect the counselor-client relationshp. It is obvious that counselor should not "friend" their clients on Facebook. However, if you counsel a fellow colleague who wants to be in your linkedin group, what do you say? Can counselors/agencies twitter their clients on announcements? What do you think?
I wish everyone a Happy Easter and Passover in April.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
The Mental Health's Big White Elephant
Bravo to the physicians for speaking against the upcoming cuts in Medicare reimbursements and the threat of refusal of accepting more patients in their medical practices. How come mental health professionals can’t follow this same pursuit?
Our profession has a big white elephant in our presence for refusing to speak out against cuts in payments for providing mental health services to our clients.
I will give you an example on what I am talking about. Two years, one big powerful health insurance company in Central Massachusetts cut reimbursements from $ 55.00 to $ 50.00 for providing mental health services to their clients. There are two things wrong: 1) Why on earth are mental health professionals taking their clients for low pay? 2) Where is the threat from the profession to stop taking their clients when the rate dropped to $ 50.00?
I have more pet peeve with this provider. Last Spring, they implemented a new conversion of billing claims with their contracted provider to pay mental health professionals. It has been a nightmare in getting paid on time. From June to November, I called the contact in provider relations to complain that I was not being paid for my services. Due to my constant telephone calling on a weekly basis, I was paid for one claim in October after I saw the client in April. In November, I was paid for two claims (after being overpaid twice) after I saw the client in June. As I write this blogpost, I am still have not been paid for ten claims since September to October due to their billing company losing the claims and my bookkeeper having to fax the claims to their supervisor.
Isn’t this ridiculous and insult to injury to fellow counselors?
Regarding low reimbursement rates, this health insurance company does not value the work that we do in our state. I am very disappointed with the leadership from both the mental health counselor and social work association for not speaking out on these two issues.
Regarding this horrible billing system, many complaints have been noted on their annual feedback form that the health insurance emailed to use to fill out this year.
You may ask why we continue to take their clients. There are two reasons: 1) In my area, many companies have switched from Blue Cross to this provider who have cheaper rates. 2) Getting private pay clients is not happening. In fact, many working families are now on the state medicaid system due to not being able to purchase an affordable health insurance commercial program.
What can we do about these issues?
1) The state social work and mental health counselor association need to speak out against this insulting low reimbursement rates.
2) They also need to meet with this provider to negotiate a high reimbursement rate to accept their clients.
3) If the above two tactics don’t work, then I advocate that the two associations call for a statewide boycott of accepting more clients from this provider.
I don’t know if the velvet glove approach will. I welcome your comments.
Our profession has a big white elephant in our presence for refusing to speak out against cuts in payments for providing mental health services to our clients.
I will give you an example on what I am talking about. Two years, one big powerful health insurance company in Central Massachusetts cut reimbursements from $ 55.00 to $ 50.00 for providing mental health services to their clients. There are two things wrong: 1) Why on earth are mental health professionals taking their clients for low pay? 2) Where is the threat from the profession to stop taking their clients when the rate dropped to $ 50.00?
I have more pet peeve with this provider. Last Spring, they implemented a new conversion of billing claims with their contracted provider to pay mental health professionals. It has been a nightmare in getting paid on time. From June to November, I called the contact in provider relations to complain that I was not being paid for my services. Due to my constant telephone calling on a weekly basis, I was paid for one claim in October after I saw the client in April. In November, I was paid for two claims (after being overpaid twice) after I saw the client in June. As I write this blogpost, I am still have not been paid for ten claims since September to October due to their billing company losing the claims and my bookkeeper having to fax the claims to their supervisor.
Isn’t this ridiculous and insult to injury to fellow counselors?
Regarding low reimbursement rates, this health insurance company does not value the work that we do in our state. I am very disappointed with the leadership from both the mental health counselor and social work association for not speaking out on these two issues.
Regarding this horrible billing system, many complaints have been noted on their annual feedback form that the health insurance emailed to use to fill out this year.
You may ask why we continue to take their clients. There are two reasons: 1) In my area, many companies have switched from Blue Cross to this provider who have cheaper rates. 2) Getting private pay clients is not happening. In fact, many working families are now on the state medicaid system due to not being able to purchase an affordable health insurance commercial program.
What can we do about these issues?
1) The state social work and mental health counselor association need to speak out against this insulting low reimbursement rates.
2) They also need to meet with this provider to negotiate a high reimbursement rate to accept their clients.
3) If the above two tactics don’t work, then I advocate that the two associations call for a statewide boycott of accepting more clients from this provider.
I don’t know if the velvet glove approach will. I welcome your comments.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Is Blood Thicker Than Water?
I heard about a very sad event that an adoptive single parent endured this past week. She had to relinquish her 17 month old preadoptive son from the state foster care system to his biological father. Apparently, the birth mother told the state who the father was after a year in which she refused to identify him at birth. The birth mother held back the information due to her belief she would get custody back of her baby after she cleaned up her act in a drug rehabilitation facility. When the birth mother found out her parental rights were terminated this year, she decided to identify the birth father so she can still see her son in his custody. What a tragedy for this parent and for this baby.
How did this happen? In Massachusetts, the foster care/adoption system runs a little differently as opposed to doing a domestic adoption from a licensed agency. For the former, there is no system in place to post announcements in public newspapers that call birth fathers to identify themselves during the adoption hearings. For the latter, this system is in place. If the birth father does not show up during an adoption hearing, his rights are terminated.
As a counselor, I believe that the foster system for preadoptions is broken. I have heard of other similar cases where children were going to be adopted by their foster parents and liberal judges painfully tore them away and placed them with biological relatives who came out of no where. This dysfunctional process hurts the attachment bonds between the children and preadoptive parents. The slogan, “ Blood is Thicker than Water, “ is bogus and harmful to preadoptive families.
In 2005, I taught a class to non-traditional students entitled, “Functional Families,” which defines families as a group of individuals living together and establishing healthy bonds regardless how they were formed. This definition needs to be taught to judges and lawyers who create outdated laws that hurt adoption options for families who want to be parents.
What can the counseling profession do about it? We need to be vocal in educating lawmakers about antiquated laws that say a family is made by DNA only. We also need to promote equal laws and processes for both the foster care and domestic adoption systems in your state.
Counselors can educate legislators about the broken attachment bonds that can develop between a child and adoptive parents when their adoption is “interrupted” and a child is forced back with their biological parents. Massachusetts promotes unhealthy families when they reunite children with their biological parents who are not capable of parenting them. This policy goes against the mission that both the social work and counseling professions hold in promoting healthy development and growth and the fullest potential in individuals and in families.
We can do something as a collective to make positive changes.
I welcome your feedback.
Robbin Miller
Moderator
How did this happen? In Massachusetts, the foster care/adoption system runs a little differently as opposed to doing a domestic adoption from a licensed agency. For the former, there is no system in place to post announcements in public newspapers that call birth fathers to identify themselves during the adoption hearings. For the latter, this system is in place. If the birth father does not show up during an adoption hearing, his rights are terminated.
As a counselor, I believe that the foster system for preadoptions is broken. I have heard of other similar cases where children were going to be adopted by their foster parents and liberal judges painfully tore them away and placed them with biological relatives who came out of no where. This dysfunctional process hurts the attachment bonds between the children and preadoptive parents. The slogan, “ Blood is Thicker than Water, “ is bogus and harmful to preadoptive families.
In 2005, I taught a class to non-traditional students entitled, “Functional Families,” which defines families as a group of individuals living together and establishing healthy bonds regardless how they were formed. This definition needs to be taught to judges and lawyers who create outdated laws that hurt adoption options for families who want to be parents.
What can the counseling profession do about it? We need to be vocal in educating lawmakers about antiquated laws that say a family is made by DNA only. We also need to promote equal laws and processes for both the foster care and domestic adoption systems in your state.
Counselors can educate legislators about the broken attachment bonds that can develop between a child and adoptive parents when their adoption is “interrupted” and a child is forced back with their biological parents. Massachusetts promotes unhealthy families when they reunite children with their biological parents who are not capable of parenting them. This policy goes against the mission that both the social work and counseling professions hold in promoting healthy development and growth and the fullest potential in individuals and in families.
We can do something as a collective to make positive changes.
I welcome your feedback.
Robbin Miller
Moderator
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Bullying: A Counselor's Perspective
Massachusetts passed a new law entitled, "An Act Relative to Bullying in Schools," in 2010. The purpose of this new law is to "create more positive school climates and age-appropriate instruction on bullying prevention in each grade, and schools must offer information to parents on bullying prevention." (Worcester Medicine, July/August 2010). School personnel (teachers, guidance counselors, aides, bus drives and cafeteria workers) are required to report incidents to the appropriate officials for them to investigate and to take disciplinary actions when appropriate. Bullying includes not only verbal, physical and written repeated acts of aggression and gestures but now includes cyberbullying through electronic means-Facebook; Twitter; Emails; Texting, and through other electronic devices.
As counselors, we see the direct effects on bullying on our clients who come to us with a variety of symptoms:low self-esteem; sadness; agitation; anxiety and fears; nightmares; refusal to go to school; bed wetting; binge eating; and low school performance. Sometimes, some parents just don't know what is going on their with child because their child is either afraid or ashamed to tell them. For a boy raised in a home with a male parent/caretaker being macho and proud and/or culture promoting this environment, he may be afraid to tell him for fear of ridicule or shame. For girls, it may be a little easier due to cultural acceptance to share with their parents/caretakes. However, both girls and boys may be afraid to tell due to fear of being a snitch in school or are facing similar abuses at home where they don't know who to tell or to trust.
I provide my clients a booklet put by the American Medical Association Alliance entitled, "You Don't Have to Be Bullied," (2006) that tells a story of cartoon character by the name of Keith who is experiencing symptoms anxiety and nervousness due to a kid picking on him in school. The booklet provides good and bad choices in handling a bully in school ,and most of all, promoting prosocial behaviors of being calm and cool in dealing with these situations.
However, I need to share with you one caveat that was discussed at a past work meeting this week. Despite teaching our clients to handle bullying in a positive way, a fellow colleague suggested that letting the student punch back the bully would cease it. Honestly, I punched a girl in high school who kept repeatedly taunting me for weeks at a cooking class in high school in the 1980's. The teacher ignored it and my peers did nothing about it. I had enough as I got tired of ignoring it and could not take her hitting me one day in class. I hit her back but the teacher did nothing to stop it. After this incident, the girl became my friend in school. As I look back on this encounter and teach my clients coping skills to deal with a bully, I sometimes find it hard to not agree with their parents' suggestion and my colleague's comment "to punch back" to defend yourself if nothing is done to positively stop it.
What do you think?
Robbin Miller, LMHC
As counselors, we see the direct effects on bullying on our clients who come to us with a variety of symptoms:low self-esteem; sadness; agitation; anxiety and fears; nightmares; refusal to go to school; bed wetting; binge eating; and low school performance. Sometimes, some parents just don't know what is going on their with child because their child is either afraid or ashamed to tell them. For a boy raised in a home with a male parent/caretaker being macho and proud and/or culture promoting this environment, he may be afraid to tell him for fear of ridicule or shame. For girls, it may be a little easier due to cultural acceptance to share with their parents/caretakes. However, both girls and boys may be afraid to tell due to fear of being a snitch in school or are facing similar abuses at home where they don't know who to tell or to trust.
I provide my clients a booklet put by the American Medical Association Alliance entitled, "You Don't Have to Be Bullied," (2006) that tells a story of cartoon character by the name of Keith who is experiencing symptoms anxiety and nervousness due to a kid picking on him in school. The booklet provides good and bad choices in handling a bully in school ,and most of all, promoting prosocial behaviors of being calm and cool in dealing with these situations.
However, I need to share with you one caveat that was discussed at a past work meeting this week. Despite teaching our clients to handle bullying in a positive way, a fellow colleague suggested that letting the student punch back the bully would cease it. Honestly, I punched a girl in high school who kept repeatedly taunting me for weeks at a cooking class in high school in the 1980's. The teacher ignored it and my peers did nothing about it. I had enough as I got tired of ignoring it and could not take her hitting me one day in class. I hit her back but the teacher did nothing to stop it. After this incident, the girl became my friend in school. As I look back on this encounter and teach my clients coping skills to deal with a bully, I sometimes find it hard to not agree with their parents' suggestion and my colleague's comment "to punch back" to defend yourself if nothing is done to positively stop it.
What do you think?
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Happy Birthday ADA!
Please click on link to my blogpost on www.counseling.org.
http://happy-birthday-to-you-ada-americans-with-disabilities-act
http://happy-birthday-to-you-ada-americans-with-disabilities-act
Saturday, July 10, 2010
The Assembly Line Transformation
Imagine a cartoon of three slides: The first slide is a line of clients in an outpatient office waiting to be seen by a clinician on a Friday. The second slide is the clinician trying to focus but is showing signs of fatigue by yawning and looking at the clock. The last slide is the client leaving the office and the clinician swimming in gold bag of green dollars bills. Read on...
A new trend of how to make money in outpatient counseling services is upon us. Despite new laws to reform mental health services for children in Massachusetts, some agencies and entities are still facing financial losses serving clients on Mass Health. In order to stay afloat, some of these for-profit and non-profit entities are using "carrots" with clinicians to keep their doors open. The new gimmick is to offer financial rewards, for example, $ 500.00 for those clinicians who see a certain number of clients a week, 30-40 for a certain period of time. Honestly, this new incentive is enticing and rewarding, but it is really so?
In my professional opinion, I believe that the quality of offering compassionate and caring services can be difficult to establish on this "new assembly line" business model. I remember the old days when clincians earn decent salaries for seeing 16-20 clients a week which was not so long ago. This caseload is much more manageable for clinicans to have time to do their paperwork properly, take care of their own mental health needs during the day, and most of all, establish healthy workable relationships with their clients.
I ponder the following questions on this new business model:
1) How can clinicians establish quality relationship with their clients if a bag of gold awaits them in the new future?
2)How do you prevent burnout? The answer that scheduling 35 clients a week is not an acceptable answer though it is a cold reality on how to accomplish seeing 30 clients a week.
3) How do you prevent possible unethical behaviors such as fraudlent billing? For example, seeing clients for a half hour and then billing an hour for services?
Isn't time for a healthy dialogue to be established with national associations for social workers and counselors to see this new business model is feasible?
How about clinicians learning how to lobby their legislators to change the way counseling agencies are reimbursed by Medicaid? Please note that agencies don't get paid for no-shows for medicaid clients.
What do you think?
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Facilitator
A new trend of how to make money in outpatient counseling services is upon us. Despite new laws to reform mental health services for children in Massachusetts, some agencies and entities are still facing financial losses serving clients on Mass Health. In order to stay afloat, some of these for-profit and non-profit entities are using "carrots" with clinicians to keep their doors open. The new gimmick is to offer financial rewards, for example, $ 500.00 for those clinicians who see a certain number of clients a week, 30-40 for a certain period of time. Honestly, this new incentive is enticing and rewarding, but it is really so?
In my professional opinion, I believe that the quality of offering compassionate and caring services can be difficult to establish on this "new assembly line" business model. I remember the old days when clincians earn decent salaries for seeing 16-20 clients a week which was not so long ago. This caseload is much more manageable for clinicans to have time to do their paperwork properly, take care of their own mental health needs during the day, and most of all, establish healthy workable relationships with their clients.
I ponder the following questions on this new business model:
1) How can clinicians establish quality relationship with their clients if a bag of gold awaits them in the new future?
2)How do you prevent burnout? The answer that scheduling 35 clients a week is not an acceptable answer though it is a cold reality on how to accomplish seeing 30 clients a week.
3) How do you prevent possible unethical behaviors such as fraudlent billing? For example, seeing clients for a half hour and then billing an hour for services?
Isn't time for a healthy dialogue to be established with national associations for social workers and counselors to see this new business model is feasible?
How about clinicians learning how to lobby their legislators to change the way counseling agencies are reimbursed by Medicaid? Please note that agencies don't get paid for no-shows for medicaid clients.
What do you think?
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Facilitator
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Mental Health Professionals Deserve Respect and Credit
Remember Rodney Dangerfield's famous quote," I can't get respect." His famous quote can be applied to the mental health professionals in Massachusetts who are under intense pressure to produce or be terminated. Many of my colleagues including myself are being pressured to see a certain number of clients on Medicaid or risk losing our jobs. The new mental health law for children and adolescents have not improved the quality of services as many families are still waiting for intensive mental health services throughout the state as the number on the waiting lists is increasing day by day. Also, many families are waiting weeks for outpatient services for their children as the insurance companies have decreased the number of sessions and rates for this type of service.
How can agencies and organizations retain qualified licensed mental health counselors including social workers if they are being threatened to lose their jobs due to inequitable productivity standards and unhealthy working conditions? The intense pressue is causing many of my colleagues to endure significant health problems such as high pressure; obesity; lack of sleep; and depression and anxiety attacks. How ironic that the helping profession is encountering the similar issues that our clients face on a daily basis in their lives. How can the mental health profession be respected and credible if they can't clean up their own "their house" without interfering in their ability to serve their clients?
We need to have our state organizations that represent both mental health counselors and social workers to conduct a study on the adverse effects on how the new mental health law is affecting the quality of our work. After the study is completed, the Presidents of both organizations need to have a hearing at the State House with the legislators to promote better quality services for our clients and for our clinicians.
Please note it is very difficult to work with a transient population (on Medicaid) that is known for high no-shows; cancellations; and closures every month. Unfortunately, the clinicians get blamed from management who have no idea how frustrating it is to work this clientele. Double-booking is not the answer as some clinicians will see both clients for a half hour each ,and then bill for a full hourly session to keep their numbers up. I do not engage in this type of practice as it is illegal and unethical to do.
What do you think?
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Moderator
How can agencies and organizations retain qualified licensed mental health counselors including social workers if they are being threatened to lose their jobs due to inequitable productivity standards and unhealthy working conditions? The intense pressue is causing many of my colleagues to endure significant health problems such as high pressure; obesity; lack of sleep; and depression and anxiety attacks. How ironic that the helping profession is encountering the similar issues that our clients face on a daily basis in their lives. How can the mental health profession be respected and credible if they can't clean up their own "their house" without interfering in their ability to serve their clients?
We need to have our state organizations that represent both mental health counselors and social workers to conduct a study on the adverse effects on how the new mental health law is affecting the quality of our work. After the study is completed, the Presidents of both organizations need to have a hearing at the State House with the legislators to promote better quality services for our clients and for our clinicians.
Please note it is very difficult to work with a transient population (on Medicaid) that is known for high no-shows; cancellations; and closures every month. Unfortunately, the clinicians get blamed from management who have no idea how frustrating it is to work this clientele. Double-booking is not the answer as some clinicians will see both clients for a half hour each ,and then bill for a full hourly session to keep their numbers up. I do not engage in this type of practice as it is illegal and unethical to do.
What do you think?
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Moderator
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Gauntlet Pests
Below is a letter to the editor I wrote to a blog moderator entitled, "Shrewsburied."
Please see the comments I received for advocating for equal rights for persons with disabilities.
I am asking for the community to support full handicap accessibility for the forthcoming conversion of the Sumner House to a funeral home that will be opening up in June 2010. A member of the Historical Commission inquired about filing a variance (when he met with the Shrewsbury Commission on Disabilities in March 2010) with the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (AAB)to preserve parts of the Sumner House for historical purposes. The Commission made it clear in their minutes that the funeral home needs to be accessible including a handicap bathroom for the public use.
As in the past, Shrewsbury has an ugly history of preserving historical significance of old buildings at the expense against persons with disabilities. We need the community support to make the funeral home a public place for all to attend. If the funeral home does not become fully handicap accessibility, then it needs to put a big sign in neon color that says, "Persons with Disabilities" are not allowed" as a state entity would recommend to this business owner.
I guarantee that the disability advocates and this state entity and the AAB will not support a variance to be approved.
Robbin Miller
Advocate
Comments:
Robbin is just one more example of the gaunlet of pests you have to run trying to locate a business in this town. It's no wonder we have no commercial tax base to speak of. Why would a business owner subject themselves to this?
Well, I suppose it is the law, but since when is it any of the state/town's business what I do with private property. I can see making sure that it isn't a fire trap or that it is going to fall down on someone's head, but seriously, the handicap accessible laws are dumb. The mirror in the bathroom has to tilt down, that is a goofy one I have seen. These laws exist for the soul purpose of enriching lawyers who file suit.
Robbin, where did you come up with this? Don't you think you owe it to people to find out what's going on before you publicly slander them?
My comments: As you see the above comments are hurtful and people are entitled to their opinions. I did put the source on where I got the above info in a comment before these comments were posted. It is not easy being an advocate for change, but it needs to be put out there for awareness and doing the right thing.
Please see the comments I received for advocating for equal rights for persons with disabilities.
I am asking for the community to support full handicap accessibility for the forthcoming conversion of the Sumner House to a funeral home that will be opening up in June 2010. A member of the Historical Commission inquired about filing a variance (when he met with the Shrewsbury Commission on Disabilities in March 2010) with the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (AAB)to preserve parts of the Sumner House for historical purposes. The Commission made it clear in their minutes that the funeral home needs to be accessible including a handicap bathroom for the public use.
As in the past, Shrewsbury has an ugly history of preserving historical significance of old buildings at the expense against persons with disabilities. We need the community support to make the funeral home a public place for all to attend. If the funeral home does not become fully handicap accessibility, then it needs to put a big sign in neon color that says, "Persons with Disabilities" are not allowed" as a state entity would recommend to this business owner.
I guarantee that the disability advocates and this state entity and the AAB will not support a variance to be approved.
Robbin Miller
Advocate
Comments:
Robbin is just one more example of the gaunlet of pests you have to run trying to locate a business in this town. It's no wonder we have no commercial tax base to speak of. Why would a business owner subject themselves to this?
Well, I suppose it is the law, but since when is it any of the state/town's business what I do with private property. I can see making sure that it isn't a fire trap or that it is going to fall down on someone's head, but seriously, the handicap accessible laws are dumb. The mirror in the bathroom has to tilt down, that is a goofy one I have seen. These laws exist for the soul purpose of enriching lawyers who file suit.
Robbin, where did you come up with this? Don't you think you owe it to people to find out what's going on before you publicly slander them?
My comments: As you see the above comments are hurtful and people are entitled to their opinions. I did put the source on where I got the above info in a comment before these comments were posted. It is not easy being an advocate for change, but it needs to be put out there for awareness and doing the right thing.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Childhood Obesity: How can Counselors Help?
Worcester Medicine, a publication by the Worcester District Medical Society, focused on Childhood Obesity for the Mar/April 2010 edition.
According to the current statistics by the Centers for Disease Control on Janauary 22d, 2010, two thirds of adults and one fifth of children are overweight or obese and 20% of youths have abnormal lipid levels (Lebow, 2010, p 18).
As counselors, we are aware of the adverse effects of the poverty that attribute to high obesity levels in our clients such as the high costs and unavailaiblity to buy healthy foods; increase television watching (which commercials promote fat foods toward children) and computer use and addiction; lack of physical space for recreational activities and exercise; and parents/caretakers not being educated on healthy foods preparation for their children.
The medical community in Worcester are taking steps to promote healthy eating for children through the use of different programs in the elementary schools, the communities; and in the doctor's offices. In addition, the State of Massachusetts has launched a new website entitled, "Mass in Motion", www.mass.gov/massinmotion which focuses on healthy eating choices and physical exercise.
What can the counseling profession do to help decrease obesity in our clients?
Here are some suggestions:
Individual/Family: I support physical exercise as a viable option for children and teens to use as a coping skill to decrease their mental health symptoms as part of their treatment plans. I encourage all clients to check with their primary care physician first before engaging in any exercise program. I also ask that families to engage in a physical activity such as going for walks to increase bonding time with their children and/or having a sit down dinner with healthy foods.
Clinic/Agency: Why not have brochures and resources available in the waiting room for families to peruse while they are waiting for us to see them? Counselors can also give out these materials to their clients, if relevant, during the sessions.
Community/State:Is it possible for state chapters from the Social Work; Psychologists, and Mental Health entities to sponsor local programs for their clients and/or training sessions for their colleagues for CEU credit on the above topic? Also, these entities can have their voices heard when their state legislatures want to propose a tax on a candy and soda to decrease consumption use by children. In Masachachusetts, this tax idea has opposition from a few state legislators and the medical community for a variety of reasons.
Federal: National Associations from above can have their voices heard in promoting the government's agenda to decrease obesity and to increase healthier eating and lifestyles for children across the US. Also, the advocacy personnel and/or lobbyists from these entities can meet with Congress to provide their input and ideas as well.
What do you think?
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Facilitator
Resource:
Lebow, R. (2010). How can we lighten a heavy problem? Worcester Medicine:Worcester District Medical Society.
According to the current statistics by the Centers for Disease Control on Janauary 22d, 2010, two thirds of adults and one fifth of children are overweight or obese and 20% of youths have abnormal lipid levels (Lebow, 2010, p 18).
As counselors, we are aware of the adverse effects of the poverty that attribute to high obesity levels in our clients such as the high costs and unavailaiblity to buy healthy foods; increase television watching (which commercials promote fat foods toward children) and computer use and addiction; lack of physical space for recreational activities and exercise; and parents/caretakers not being educated on healthy foods preparation for their children.
The medical community in Worcester are taking steps to promote healthy eating for children through the use of different programs in the elementary schools, the communities; and in the doctor's offices. In addition, the State of Massachusetts has launched a new website entitled, "Mass in Motion", www.mass.gov/massinmotion which focuses on healthy eating choices and physical exercise.
What can the counseling profession do to help decrease obesity in our clients?
Here are some suggestions:
Individual/Family: I support physical exercise as a viable option for children and teens to use as a coping skill to decrease their mental health symptoms as part of their treatment plans. I encourage all clients to check with their primary care physician first before engaging in any exercise program. I also ask that families to engage in a physical activity such as going for walks to increase bonding time with their children and/or having a sit down dinner with healthy foods.
Clinic/Agency: Why not have brochures and resources available in the waiting room for families to peruse while they are waiting for us to see them? Counselors can also give out these materials to their clients, if relevant, during the sessions.
Community/State:Is it possible for state chapters from the Social Work; Psychologists, and Mental Health entities to sponsor local programs for their clients and/or training sessions for their colleagues for CEU credit on the above topic? Also, these entities can have their voices heard when their state legislatures want to propose a tax on a candy and soda to decrease consumption use by children. In Masachachusetts, this tax idea has opposition from a few state legislators and the medical community for a variety of reasons.
Federal: National Associations from above can have their voices heard in promoting the government's agenda to decrease obesity and to increase healthier eating and lifestyles for children across the US. Also, the advocacy personnel and/or lobbyists from these entities can meet with Congress to provide their input and ideas as well.
What do you think?
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Facilitator
Resource:
Lebow, R. (2010). How can we lighten a heavy problem? Worcester Medicine:Worcester District Medical Society.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
TWo Civil Rights Violations in Massachusetts
Blantant civil rights violations are happening for individuals with disabilities.
Two civil rights have occurred in the Central Massachusetts area concerning two individuals with disabilities during the special senate election and to one of the individuals concerning riding public transportation. Here are their stories:
1)DM is an individual who is legally blind and is caucasian. DM said that for the last few years, she has been denied access to use the automark voting booth that has been set up for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. This machine enables individuals to wear a headset to mark their votes and then have their ballots printed afterwards to put into voting box.
This year, DM had enough. She asked an observer (who is a city official for Human Rights) to observe the hassles she endures everytime she wants to use the automark machine. DM did ask to use the automark machine and the poll worker gave her an attitude by wanting to use it. DM did cast her vote using the automark machine. Her ballot printed and she went to put into the voting box to record her votes. Unfortunately, the voting box rejected her ballot due to the ink used in the automark machine. A police officer tried to fix this ink problem but to no avail the voting box still rejected her ballot. The observer took DM's ballot and use a blank ink pen to darken the lines connecting her choices. The observe put the ballot in the voting box that was finally accepted. DM felt her voting rights were violated due to not having her voting choices be made in private. Also, both DM and the observer found out how the poll workers were aware of the ink problems associated with the automark machines on voting day and did nothing to correct this problem. This same problem happened to another person with a physical disability at another voting booth in a different area of Worcester. At this voting area, the poll workers knew of the ink problems associated with one handicap accessible voting booth that was not corrected as well.
Both individuals are filing civil right complaints with the Disability Law Center and the Department of Justice for voting rights violations.
2) DM is experiencing ongoing civil rights violations when she rides the public buses. According to the federal law for buses, the drivers have to announce the stops so individuals who are blind or visually impaired can hear the stops and get off at their destinations or hear the bus numbers anounced before they board the right bus. DM told an official at the bus company of this problem in December 2009. The next day, this official send out a memo to all drivers mandating that they announce call outs at major stops along bus routes. Unfortunately, the drivers are still not announcing the stops when DM is riding the buses in February 2010. DM will be filing a complaint with the Department of Justice.
In summary, advocacy groups and providers will be signing onto these complaints as soon as they file. A press conference will be forthcoming as well.
I will keep you informed of the outcome.
Two civil rights have occurred in the Central Massachusetts area concerning two individuals with disabilities during the special senate election and to one of the individuals concerning riding public transportation. Here are their stories:
1)DM is an individual who is legally blind and is caucasian. DM said that for the last few years, she has been denied access to use the automark voting booth that has been set up for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. This machine enables individuals to wear a headset to mark their votes and then have their ballots printed afterwards to put into voting box.
This year, DM had enough. She asked an observer (who is a city official for Human Rights) to observe the hassles she endures everytime she wants to use the automark machine. DM did ask to use the automark machine and the poll worker gave her an attitude by wanting to use it. DM did cast her vote using the automark machine. Her ballot printed and she went to put into the voting box to record her votes. Unfortunately, the voting box rejected her ballot due to the ink used in the automark machine. A police officer tried to fix this ink problem but to no avail the voting box still rejected her ballot. The observer took DM's ballot and use a blank ink pen to darken the lines connecting her choices. The observe put the ballot in the voting box that was finally accepted. DM felt her voting rights were violated due to not having her voting choices be made in private. Also, both DM and the observer found out how the poll workers were aware of the ink problems associated with the automark machines on voting day and did nothing to correct this problem. This same problem happened to another person with a physical disability at another voting booth in a different area of Worcester. At this voting area, the poll workers knew of the ink problems associated with one handicap accessible voting booth that was not corrected as well.
Both individuals are filing civil right complaints with the Disability Law Center and the Department of Justice for voting rights violations.
2) DM is experiencing ongoing civil rights violations when she rides the public buses. According to the federal law for buses, the drivers have to announce the stops so individuals who are blind or visually impaired can hear the stops and get off at their destinations or hear the bus numbers anounced before they board the right bus. DM told an official at the bus company of this problem in December 2009. The next day, this official send out a memo to all drivers mandating that they announce call outs at major stops along bus routes. Unfortunately, the drivers are still not announcing the stops when DM is riding the buses in February 2010. DM will be filing a complaint with the Department of Justice.
In summary, advocacy groups and providers will be signing onto these complaints as soon as they file. A press conference will be forthcoming as well.
I will keep you informed of the outcome.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
A Community Activist that fought for Social Justice for Youth and Families
I dedicate this blog to Mrs. Beatrice Feingold of Worcester, Massachusetts. Bea's social justice work for children and families emanates from her Jewish background. In the Jewish religion, Tikkun Olam, is about "fixing the ills of society." Bea did not attend any formal educational institution to learn how to do her social justice work. Bea was a housewife raising two children in the 1950's where women stayed at home while their husbands worked all day. However, Bea was a dedicated and smart volunteer for various organizations mentioned below. Bea knew how to lead and to persuade "the powers to be" to implement services and programs for youth and families in Worcester County.
Beatrice and I worked on the Elder Affairs Committee for the National Council of Jewish Women(NCJW)-Worcester Section from 1999-2010. We tried through trial and error on what types of programs would be successful for Jewish elders. In 2006, Beatrice and I decided to have two Jewish programs-Meals on Wheels and Jewish Healthcare Center-to select their own entertainers for Chankukah and for Purim celebrations where NCJW would pay for them. We have received positive feedback from both groups since then. I am proud that Beatrice Feingold was my mentor. I will miss her.
"She was a Past President of the Women's Division of the Worcester Jewish Federation, a Past President of Worcester Section of the National Council of Jewish Women as well as a Past President of the New England Region of the National Council of Jewish Women, and was a Past President of the Worcester Section of the National Women's Committee of Brandeis University. She was one of the founders of the Worcester Area Community Service, the predecessor of the U.S. Job Corps. She was a long time member of Temple Emanuel and its Sisterhood and for many years was in charge of its public relations committee.
She was a long time member of Mt. Pleasant Country Club and the Worcester Interfaith Council. She had been an active volunteer for the Jewish Healthcare Center, the Jewish Community Center, and for over 30 years, she was a volunteer for Head Start.In 1962, she, along with 200 Women Community Leaders throughout the country, was invited to The White House to discuss volunteerism in Community Service."
Source:Telegram and Gazette Obituary, 2/3/10.
Beatrice and I worked on the Elder Affairs Committee for the National Council of Jewish Women(NCJW)-Worcester Section from 1999-2010. We tried through trial and error on what types of programs would be successful for Jewish elders. In 2006, Beatrice and I decided to have two Jewish programs-Meals on Wheels and Jewish Healthcare Center-to select their own entertainers for Chankukah and for Purim celebrations where NCJW would pay for them. We have received positive feedback from both groups since then. I am proud that Beatrice Feingold was my mentor. I will miss her.
"She was a Past President of the Women's Division of the Worcester Jewish Federation, a Past President of Worcester Section of the National Council of Jewish Women as well as a Past President of the New England Region of the National Council of Jewish Women, and was a Past President of the Worcester Section of the National Women's Committee of Brandeis University. She was one of the founders of the Worcester Area Community Service, the predecessor of the U.S. Job Corps. She was a long time member of Temple Emanuel and its Sisterhood and for many years was in charge of its public relations committee.
She was a long time member of Mt. Pleasant Country Club and the Worcester Interfaith Council. She had been an active volunteer for the Jewish Healthcare Center, the Jewish Community Center, and for over 30 years, she was a volunteer for Head Start.In 1962, she, along with 200 Women Community Leaders throughout the country, was invited to The White House to discuss volunteerism in Community Service."
Source:Telegram and Gazette Obituary, 2/3/10.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Five Top Counseling Goals for 2010
The new year and decade is upon us in 2010. I was thinking of what goals the counseling profession can ponder and possibly accomplish this year. Here is my spew:
Goal 1: Equality for Mental Health Counselors:
It is particulary frustrating looking for part-time work due to more jobs being available for social workers as opposed for mental health counselors. Let's hope that Medicare coverage for licensed mental health counselors gets passed by Congress this year. Be politically active and work closely with either the American Counseling Association or the Mental Health Counselors Association to get timely updates on this important bill.
Goal 2: Ethics Reform:
I am appalled how some of my colleagues have no qualms in billing for an hourly session when in fact they saw their clients for only a half hour. I am aware of stringent and inequitable productivity requirements that many counselors endure in their jobs; however, billing illegally is not cool. The consequences are severe such as possible loss of you license and spending time in jail plus paying expensive fines for committing billing fraud. What does both associations mentioned above say about this issue?
Goal 3: Fairer Productivity Requirements:
As I mentioned above, many counselors have to reach unfair and inequitable productivity requirements to get benefits and to retain their salaries. Both counseling associations and fellow counselors need to be more vocal in calling for fairer productivity requirements that don't result in billing fraud; burnout; and possible client abuse. How in the world can you reach productivity when your clients either cancel; no-show; or you close their cases on a weekly basis? It can be frustrating to make a sustainable living and even more insulting when counselors are demoted from salary to fee for service status. In the latter, high job turnover and low retainment is a consequence for both clients and the employers.
Goal 4: Promoting Disability Sensitivity and Inclusion:
Disability is a culture that needs to be included in the cultural competence requirements for graduate students and practicing professionals. Over the years, I have proposed two different types of trainings for mental health counselors to earn between one to three continuing education units that has been flaty rejected due to a lack of interest by the professional associations. Let 2010 and beyond be the decade to include Disability Sensitivity as a cultural competence and offer CEUs for counselors for professional development.
Goal 5: Promoting Social Justice:
This is the decade for mental health counselors to be trained as advocates for social causes for both their clients and for their profession. It is time for the profession to be on an even level playing with social workers and psychologists in being vocal and political in their communities on the local, state and federal levels. How can mental health professions be better trained to advocate for change: Here are a few suggestions:
1) Offer a Community Organization course on the graduate level that is similar to the one offered for social work students in graduate school.
2) Counselors for Social Justice can offer practical guidelines and tips on how to promote change in your communities.
3) Take my upcoming workshop as an option on " How to Produce Your Show on Cable Access Television" on January 15th. I have used this venue to get my agenda for social changes across to political leaders on the local and state levels.
4) Join a political or grassroots organization in your community to learn hands-on experience in advocating for change.
I welcome your comments.
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Facilitator
www.robbinmiller.vpweb.ccom
Goal 1: Equality for Mental Health Counselors:
It is particulary frustrating looking for part-time work due to more jobs being available for social workers as opposed for mental health counselors. Let's hope that Medicare coverage for licensed mental health counselors gets passed by Congress this year. Be politically active and work closely with either the American Counseling Association or the Mental Health Counselors Association to get timely updates on this important bill.
Goal 2: Ethics Reform:
I am appalled how some of my colleagues have no qualms in billing for an hourly session when in fact they saw their clients for only a half hour. I am aware of stringent and inequitable productivity requirements that many counselors endure in their jobs; however, billing illegally is not cool. The consequences are severe such as possible loss of you license and spending time in jail plus paying expensive fines for committing billing fraud. What does both associations mentioned above say about this issue?
Goal 3: Fairer Productivity Requirements:
As I mentioned above, many counselors have to reach unfair and inequitable productivity requirements to get benefits and to retain their salaries. Both counseling associations and fellow counselors need to be more vocal in calling for fairer productivity requirements that don't result in billing fraud; burnout; and possible client abuse. How in the world can you reach productivity when your clients either cancel; no-show; or you close their cases on a weekly basis? It can be frustrating to make a sustainable living and even more insulting when counselors are demoted from salary to fee for service status. In the latter, high job turnover and low retainment is a consequence for both clients and the employers.
Goal 4: Promoting Disability Sensitivity and Inclusion:
Disability is a culture that needs to be included in the cultural competence requirements for graduate students and practicing professionals. Over the years, I have proposed two different types of trainings for mental health counselors to earn between one to three continuing education units that has been flaty rejected due to a lack of interest by the professional associations. Let 2010 and beyond be the decade to include Disability Sensitivity as a cultural competence and offer CEUs for counselors for professional development.
Goal 5: Promoting Social Justice:
This is the decade for mental health counselors to be trained as advocates for social causes for both their clients and for their profession. It is time for the profession to be on an even level playing with social workers and psychologists in being vocal and political in their communities on the local, state and federal levels. How can mental health professions be better trained to advocate for change: Here are a few suggestions:
1) Offer a Community Organization course on the graduate level that is similar to the one offered for social work students in graduate school.
2) Counselors for Social Justice can offer practical guidelines and tips on how to promote change in your communities.
3) Take my upcoming workshop as an option on " How to Produce Your Show on Cable Access Television" on January 15th. I have used this venue to get my agenda for social changes across to political leaders on the local and state levels.
4) Join a political or grassroots organization in your community to learn hands-on experience in advocating for change.
I welcome your comments.
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Facilitator
www.robbinmiller.vpweb.ccom
Sunday, December 27, 2009
The Power of Using Cable Access Television
In 2005, my colleage and I released a 30 minute video entitled, "Promoting Olmstead:The Need for Community Based Services for Persons with Disabilities." This video showed individuals who were either in danger of being in a nursing home or have been rescued due to having services in the community to keep them at home. I sold 50 videos at $ 30.00 a piece and won a national award from the Alliance for Community Media for producing this video with my esteemed colleague. Community leaders purchased this film and advocated to their state legislators to push the need for community based services.The video took 60 hours to edit due to multiple clips being filmed. It was well worth the effort.I want to offer you the opportunty to learn how to produce your own show on cable TV in your town.
Please view my upcoming teleconference at www.robbinmiller.vpweb.com for more information.
A five minute clip of this video can be viewed at www.youtube.com/millerchat.
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Please view my upcoming teleconference at www.robbinmiller.vpweb.com for more information.
A five minute clip of this video can be viewed at www.youtube.com/millerchat.
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Grassroots Advocacy in Action
REDD, Rights, Equality for the Dignity of the Disabled, in which I am a member of this group, is running a grassroots advocacy effort to recruit paratransit riders with disabilities to talk about their transporation issues to a local legal aid entity.
Here are the questions that are being posted in local flyers:
Did a van or cab pass you by then charge you for a no show?
Did a driver fail to call out your stop or bus route when approaching or stopped at a bus stop?
Did you file a complaint; get no response or satisfaction from the *WRTA?
Were you left stranded when the wheelchair lift failed?
Did the WRTA or *PBSI ban you from using the service due to the weight of you and/or your wheelchair?
Do you need help getting out of your front door to reach the curb and does this lack of service prevent you from using paratransit?
It is very concerning that the above issues are happening to persons with disabilities and the bus company has not been proactive in resolving these issues. These issues have been going on since 2002 and one of their typical responses have been "We will correct it and make sure it does not happen again." The administrators and drivers lack empathy when it comes to riders with a mobility impairments being told that "they can't come on the bus due to the lift (on a fixed route) being broken." How humilitating it is for these riders to be denied equal access and steered to use paratransit service instead.
Please note that paratransit service has specific eligibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act to access this service for riders with disabilities who are not able to use the fixed bus route service. Paratransit service requires a one day notice with a 20 minute window of time to pick up a rider to an appointment. The fares are higher and the time slots given for pick-up and drop-off can be up to a hour before a rider's appointment.
Last month, the Chair of REDD appeared on my TV show, Miller Chat to talk about these issues and to recruit people to have their voices heard. Cable Access Television is one avenue to get the word of on important issues affecting people in your community.
I welcome your comments.
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Facilitator
http://www.robbinmiller.vpweb.com/.
P.S. A one hour teleconference will be given on January 15th from 1-2 PM on learning how to produce your own TV show. More information is posted on the above website.
Here are the questions that are being posted in local flyers:
Did a van or cab pass you by then charge you for a no show?
Did a driver fail to call out your stop or bus route when approaching or stopped at a bus stop?
Did you file a complaint; get no response or satisfaction from the *WRTA?
Were you left stranded when the wheelchair lift failed?
Did the WRTA or *PBSI ban you from using the service due to the weight of you and/or your wheelchair?
Do you need help getting out of your front door to reach the curb and does this lack of service prevent you from using paratransit?
(*Worcester Regional Transit Authority and *Para Brokerage Service Inc).
REDD will be doing presentations at Public Housing Complexes; Neighborhood Community Centers; Religious Groups; and with Individuals to educate them on the above issues and to have their voices heard.It is very concerning that the above issues are happening to persons with disabilities and the bus company has not been proactive in resolving these issues. These issues have been going on since 2002 and one of their typical responses have been "We will correct it and make sure it does not happen again." The administrators and drivers lack empathy when it comes to riders with a mobility impairments being told that "they can't come on the bus due to the lift (on a fixed route) being broken." How humilitating it is for these riders to be denied equal access and steered to use paratransit service instead.
Please note that paratransit service has specific eligibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act to access this service for riders with disabilities who are not able to use the fixed bus route service. Paratransit service requires a one day notice with a 20 minute window of time to pick up a rider to an appointment. The fares are higher and the time slots given for pick-up and drop-off can be up to a hour before a rider's appointment.
Last month, the Chair of REDD appeared on my TV show, Miller Chat to talk about these issues and to recruit people to have their voices heard. Cable Access Television is one avenue to get the word of on important issues affecting people in your community.
I welcome your comments.
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Facilitator
http://www.robbinmiller.vpweb.com/.
P.S. A one hour teleconference will be given on January 15th from 1-2 PM on learning how to produce your own TV show. More information is posted on the above website.
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