Mental health care is already difficult to access—but what happens when insurance companies make it even harder?

In this episode of Deciphering Growth, Tiffany Graves, LPCC-S, and Eric Stone explore the recent CareSource reimbursement controversy in Ohio and what it reveals about the larger challenges facing mental health care across the United States.

We discuss insurance clawbacks, therapist reimbursement cuts, provider burnout, therapy accessibility, Medicaid services, and the growing gap between those who need mental health support and those who can actually receive it. We also examine how insurance policies impact therapists, clients, waitlists, and the future of behavioral health care.

Whether you're a therapist, client, advocate, or simply someone trying to understand why finding quality mental health care can be so difficult, this episode offers insight into the systems shaping therapy today.

Topics discussed:
• CareSource reimbursement controversy
• Mental health insurance barriers
• Therapy access and waitlists
• Medicaid and behavioral health services
• Therapist burnout and workforce shortages
• Mental health advocacy and healthcare policy

🎙️ Early access episodes, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes discussions are available on our Patreon.

Finding a therapist can feel overwhelming, frustrating, and even discouraging—but why is it so hard?

In this episode of Deciphering Growth, Tiffany and Eric unpack the realities of navigating mental health care, including healthcare trauma, financial barriers, and the confusion caused by misinformation online.

They explore the difference between licensed therapists and coaches, the impact of social media on mental health perceptions, and what actually matters when searching for the right therapist.

Whether you’re starting therapy for the first time or have struggled to find the right fit, this episode offers clarity, validation, and practical insight into advocating for your mental health.

Financial trauma isn’t just about money—it’s about survival, safety, and your nervous system.

In this episode of Deciphering Growth, we unpack how financial stress and healthcare experiences shape trauma responses like anxiety, avoidance, and burnout.

Why does money feel so triggering?

Why do healthcare experiences leave lasting emotional impact?

Why does “getting help” sometimes feel unsafe or unaffordable?

We’re having the conversation people are already living—but rarely talking about.

What does trauma-informed care actually mean… and are you already practicing it without realizing it?

In this episode of Deciphering Growth, we break down trauma-informed care in real, everyday terms—no fluff, no gatekeeping.

From how we walk through the world…to the words we choose…to the way we respect other people’s lived experiences—this isn’t about being “perfect.”It’s about being aware, intentional, and human.

We talk about: What trauma-informed care actually means Real-life examples (not just therapy talk) Why it’s not about people being “too sensitive” How small actions can create safer spaces Why you can never be “trauma-informed enough”

If you’ve ever wondered how to show up better—for clients, loved ones, or even strangers—this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Deciphering Growth, Tiffany Graves and Eric Stone explore the often overlooked topic of financial trauma — how past experiences with money can shape anxiety, scarcity mindset, shame, and the way we navigate everyday decisions.

From growing up with financial insecurity to navigating the stress of today's economy, many people carry invisible wounds related to money. Even when bills are paid and life looks stable on the outside, the nervous system may still be stuck in survival mode.

In this conversation we explore:• What financial trauma actually is• Why money can carry intense shame and stigma• How scarcity mindset develops• Why financial stress impacts mental health• The connection between survival responses and money behaviors• Compassionate ways to begin addressing financial trauma

This episode opens the door to a conversation many people avoid — because money is deeply personal.

This week, we’re having a real and honest conversation about burnout, emotional exhaustion, stress, self-care, boundaries, and what it means to be human even when you’re struggling. We talk about the pressure to keep going, the guilt that can come with slowing down, and why burnout is not a personal failure.

If you’ve been feeling weary, overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or disconnected from yourself, this episode is for you. We also explore how to move forward without toxic positivity, how to be honest about your limits, and why realistic self-care often looks different than the polished version we see online.

What is a process addiction — and how is it different from substance addiction?

In this episode of Deciphering Growth, Tiffany Graves, and Eric Stone explore behavioral addictions including gambling, gaming, social media, shopping, pornography, and work addiction.

We break down:

• The neuroscience of dopamine and reward circuitry• How trauma dysregulates the nervous system• Why unpredictable rewards hook the brain• The shame–stress–behavior cycle• How tolerance and withdrawal show up without substances• Why process addictions are often socially rewarded before they’re punished• The role of neuroplasticity in recovery

Process addictions aren’t moral failures. They are nervous systems trying to regulate. But when coping becomes compulsive, it can impact relationships, finances, identity, and mental health.

Trigger warning for discussion of gambling and behavioral addiction.

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Are you doomscrolling… or just staying informed?

In this episode of Deciphering Growth, Tiffany Graves, LPCC-S, and Eric Stone explore the psychology behind doomscrolling — what it is, why it happens, and how today’s algorithms are designed to keep you engaged far longer than you intended.

What starts as a quick check-in with the news or social media can quietly turn into emotional overload, nervous system activation, and hours lost in the scroll. And often, we don’t even notice the physiological stress response happening in our bodies.

In this conversation, we unpack:

• The clinical definition of doomscrolling• How algorithms, advertising, and parasocial relationships influence behavior• Why your nervous system reacts even when you think you’re “fine”• The connection between doomscrolling and process addiction• Trauma-informed concerns in digital spaces• Realistic digital boundaries (without going all-or-nothing)• How to evaluate whether social media is helping or harming your mental health

This episode isn’t about demonizing technology. Social media can offer connection, community, and education. But without awareness and boundaries, it can also impact mood, anxiety levels, focus, and emotional regulation.

If you’ve ever looked up from your phone feeling overwhelmed, tense, or unsure where the last hour went — this conversation is for you.

🎧 Listen now and join us next week as we dive deeper into process addictions and behavioral patterns in the digital age.