Counselors/Therapists

My kids have issues. Seriously, though, who doesn't have issues! Anyway, my youngest son ("J") was recently diagnosed with ADHD (Oh boy, do I HATE labels!). The doctor suggested we take him to therapy to help him work through his "Oppositional Defiant Disorder" that supposedly goes along with ADHD. At this point, I'm willing to try anything (except to accept a label or 'diagnosis' with something that is mostly an acronym). So, today, J had his intake appointment. We both felt that it took forever, but then, we were both pretty hungry too. While it was mostly paperwork and a bunch of questions, I did learn a few things: A) Some therapists WAY overcharge for a one hour appointment. (More on this in a minute.) B) All or mostly all adopted kids have anger issues, regardless of how they were raised or how they ended up being adopted. (So nice to know it's not all my fault!) C) My son might not actually have ADHD. Sometimes it's good to get a second opinion. Although, I still want to see if the medication helps J or not. (Experimenting on my children again.)

Speaking of overcharging people. $412 was billed to our insurance for another child's therapy. ONE session! What!?! And, our insurance allowed $350. (cough, sputter, choke) In the paperwork I filled out for J today, it was clearly stated that a one hour session was $70.  That's much more doable. I spoke with my other child and told them how much the difference was and they agreed to see someone at this place where J is going. These two are on different insurance plans. The other child is on my husband's plan through work, J is on Medicaid as part of his adoption subsidy. Thankfully, they cover these appointments. Anything I spend on the other goes to the deductible, which, of course, is also ridiculously high.

I've been to a couple of counselors in my life. One when we were in St George and Travis was going through his chemo treatments and I was overwhelmed with that, as well as 70 people asking me every week in church how he was doing, as well as life in general, etc. etc. That was the first time I had gone, ever. When she asked me what I wanted to accomplish, I didn't know how to respond. Mostly, I just wanted to go to someone who was completely disconnected from my life, dump on them, and walk away. It worked too, for a little while. I actually did feel much better. Unlike that second counselor I went to. She wouldn't let me dump and walk away, she wanted strategies and other stuff. I didn't. Oh well.

I just want my kids to be happy. To find their way in life. To enjoy life, while still being responsible people. To have the desire to do what is right. To do good, and to be good. If it helps them to go to a counselor, then so be it.

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