I was quoted in an article in Saturday’s Washington Post entitled Bug-phobic dread the looming swarm of Brood II cicadas.

I was very happy to help explain phobias and what a person might do to combat them.

I provided the reporter with quite a bit more information than was quoted (he of course consulted several sources) — here is the link to the complete notes I put together on this topic for those interested in this or any other phobia.

My earlier blog entry and the newspaper article it referenced explain that Baltimore should be largely spared of cicadas this year!

An old favorite program of mine is MoodGym — an Internet-based intervention program from Australian National University.

This is an educational program in which users read short modules on helping themselves with depression and take periodic rating scales in order to assess how they are progressing.

It is free and open to all comers.

Although tailored to Australia (with some pretty funny looking graphics and wording choices for us Americans) I really like it.  I encourage my clients to use it.  Even if you don’t see a therapist — trying this program out has got to be far better than doing nothing to help yourself.

I stumbled upon a recent study in The Journal of Affective Disorders showing the results of a large study utilizing this program with adolescents.  It looks like participants who adhered to the program more closely did better with their depression afterwards (no surprise).

Anyway — MoodGym is worth a look when you get a chance.

Also check out the more comprehensive program eCouch — which handles other problems as well including anxiety.

One program that I am particularly excited about as a new Johns Hopkins EHP and USFHP provider is their Health Coach Program.

This program is open to any member age 18+ and they develop individual plans to assist with:

• smoking cessation,
• weight loss,
• nutrition,
• fitness, and
• stress management

Members can contact them directly at 1-800-957-9760 or healthcoach@jhhc.com.  Doctors and therapists are encouraged to refer members (and I certainly will) but no referral is necessary.

This coaching is free to members and generally consists of once monthly sessions on the phone for 6 to 12 months.  The initial session is about 90 minutes and subsequent sessions are usually 30 minutes or less.

I spoke with the health coaching office briefly to inquire about their services.  I’m told that they put together individual plans based upon presented needs and what the client is wanting to work on.  They do have access to a dietitian for help with special nutritional concerns although they do not construct exact meal plans for people.  Their coaches have wellness certifications and generally follow the principals of intrinsic coaching.

Many of my clients appreciate a holistic approach, so I’m delighted to be able to refer Hopkins plan members to wellness coaches to supplement our work together.

I am also pleased to now be an in-network provider for Johns Hopkins U.S. Family Health Plan (USFHP) — a TRICARE Prime plan.

Being a network provider paneled with USFHP allows me to serve the mental health counseling and therapy needs of military soldiers and military family members in the Baltimore Maryland area.  I am very happy to now have an opportunity to help armed forces personnel and their families with depression, anxiety, trauma, life transition, and more — all in a holistic manner.  Active and retired military can be insured through USFHP, as can National Guard and their families.

US Family Health Plan members do not need a referral for the first 8 sessions — you may contact me directly to set-up an appointment.

I am pleased to announce that I am now an in-network provider with Johns Hopkins Employer Health Programs (Hopkins EHP) health insurance.

Being in-network with EHP means that I can better help the tens of thousands of employees on this plan throughout the Baltimore area.

My office in Mt. Washington Village is very close to several Hopkins facilities.  I am right next door to the Hopkins Mt. Washington Retreat Center and about ten minutes from the Homewood main campus for student health services.  I am also about 30 minutes from Hopkins Bayview.

Hopkins EHP members do not need a referral to see me — you may contact me directly to set-up a mental health counseling or therapy intake appointment.

This health insurance plan also serves employees of Broadway Services Inc., Howard County General Hospital, and Suburban Hospital.