People with chronic illness are often harmed not only by their symptoms, but by repeated dismissal, disbelief, and medical gaslighting within the healthcare system. Drawing from both clinical work and lived experience, this piece explores medical trauma, relational injury, and how healthcare providers can show up with greater care, curiosity, and humanity.

The US healthcare system is so sh**ty. Insurance is a hit or miss (usually a miss!), and often people are without insurance as it’s usually not financially accessible. For mental health needs, insurance continues to fall through as well. The goal and fight will always be for universal healthcare, but as we try to survive in this violent, uncaring system, here is general information and resources in using your insurance and/or finding affordable options for therapy.

Finding a therapist can be a daunting journey, and our initial attempt towards a safe bet might be to google “therapists that share my identities”. But is that enough? Click here for tips on how to find a like-cultured and like-minded therapist.

We don’t see your distress as pathological. Needing support in times of pain, stress, or loss isn’t a problem located entirely inside you. Our standards for mental health care are broader and more inclusive than those of insurance companies, and we want to keep it that way.