Thrive & Shine Counseling

02/25/2026

I hate health insurance. Anyone who knows me isn't surprised by that. I hate it both as a member that is now paying $823/month for commercial insurance through spouse's employer 😒🤯 AND as a healthcare provider who accepts insurance at my practice.

A colleague posted this today on LinkedIn:

"Every year, I dig into the earnings reports of the seven largest for-profit health insurance conglomerates.

Here’s what they show for 2025:
• Nearly $1.7 trillion in revenue — $175 billion more than in 2024
• More than $54 billion in profits
• 10 million fewer people covered than the year before

At the same time, these companies continued steering more patients — and their premiums — into physician practices, clinics, and pharmacy operations they now own. They also took in record amounts of taxpayer dollars.

Consider this:
UnitedHealthcare now gets more than 77% of its revenue from government programs — even though it covers almost twice as many people in commercial plans. All of its enrollment growth since 2015 has come from Medicare Advantage and Medicaid. Commercial enrollment? Down.

Meanwhile, UnitedHealth Group now classifies about 27% of its revenue as “intercompany eliminations” — a percentage that rises each year as more care is funneled into its Optum subsidiaries. Revenue and government dependence up but commercial enrollment down.

If you want to understand where American health care is headed, start with the financial filings. I’ve broken it all down in my latest pieces."

Yesterday's piece here: https://lnkd.in/eVhwymy5
Today's here: https://lnkd.in/eXhisqdq

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

02/18/2026

When things are sh*tty, overwhelming, or in chaos—I create things.

Mostly because I want to see color and fun and calm when it’s otherwise hard to find.

So I created this. For myself and for others. Who need to find a little bit of solace, when it’s otherwise hard to find. ♥️

DM if you want to purchase a copy (digital or physical). For yourself. Or perhaps for others.

07/26/2025

ChatGPT is NOT, I repeat, is NOT a good replacement for a therapist, or friend, or any human at all.

ChatGPT is a LLM (large language model) that has been programmed by folks who are NOT, I repeat, who are NOT concerned with your mental health or wellness.

ChatGPT is a bot, created by men (my mentor .ed calls them Broligarchs 😏) to project an air of all-knowing wisdom. It is NOT, I repeat, it is NOT all-knowing (it only knows what these Broligarchs have inputted).

ChatGPT is NOT, I repeat, is NOT a safe alternative to getting your needs met by an actual person.

We NEED actual people in our lives. We NEED actual in-person interaction in our lives. We NEED healthy alternatives to chatbots who collect an ungodly amount of data from users.

Do yourself a favor, FIND AN ALTERNATIVE to using ChatGPT when you're feeling upset, depressed, confused, hurt, low, anxious or anything else uncomfortable.

Stay Tuned for 50 ALTERNATIVES to ChatGPT for emotional discomfort.

Here's the first 5:
Listening to music
Talking with a peer
Physical exercise
Getting a hug
Playing an interactive game

07/12/2025

It’s been 19 years since I lost my brother in the war in Iraq.

I’ve finally done the thing I’ve always wanted to do since he died… put his story in a book.

I’ve wanted to put it in a book so that it will last for all time.

It’s a cherry on top moment that his face was on display on a billboard in Times Square. ♥️

06/06/2025

Dropping this here, a little education never hurt anyone.

Guardian investigation reveals promotion of dubious advice, questionable supplements and quick-fix healing methods

05/21/2025

My first few SOLD books are shipping out today! 🙌🏼

Get your copy of this incredibly moving grief resource, connecting people with compassion & care. ♥️

Check comments for link to purchase!

05/17/2025

I may at the Lake for some much needed R&R, but I’m still promoting this amazing book. ♥️

Catch all the author’s LIVE today here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoRD08BVG57hRVk9R4Aving

05/12/2025

Please Please Please!

Mark the date and get your copy this SATURDAY MAY 17!

Details on HOW TO GET IT to follow!

So proud to be his sister, so proud to write this chapter, so proud of the final result. ❤️❤️❤️

05/07/2025

⭐SAVE THE DATE!⭐

Writing a chapter for this book was nearly a lifetime in the making.

I'm SO proud of it, it may just be the BEST thing I've ever written.❤️

Please, please, please download your copy during the PROMOTION period starting May 17!

12/26/2024

⭐HEY GUYS! ARE YOU READY TO LEVEL UP?⭐

Transform Your Leadership Journey This March

The Integrate Affinity Group invites you to a month-long virtual symposium designed to transform the way we lead—together. Thanks to our sponsors—NextGen Ethics, Hounds Of Business Community, HR-4U INC., and Creative Neuroconcepts (Johan Tocre)—this experience will equip you with the tools and insights needed to lead with COMPASSION, RESILIENCE, & EMPATHY.

➡️ What to Expect

Explore critical themes each week to enrich your leadership approach:
Week 1: Tackling Social Problems
Week 2: Trauma-Informed Decision-Making
Week 3: Human-Centered Communication
Week 4: Self-Compassion and Common Humanity

➡️ How to Join

-Register on Eventbrite.
-Receive access on February 28th through Integrate’s Teachable platform.
-Weekly emails in March will guide you through each theme.
-Enjoy lifetime access to all materials.

This is your opportunity to grow as a leader, connect with like-minded individuals, and create meaningful change. Reserve your spot now and join us in shaping a more compassionate future, supported by our amazing sponsors.

➡️ Gain wisdom from inspiring speakers like Amy Camie, CTM-CCM - "The Healing Harpist", Gladys Smith Psy.D, LPC, Hala Khouri, Nicole Lewis-Keeber MSW LCSW, Katie Kurtz, Anu French MD FAAP ABoIM and MORE BADDIES (of course including yours truly too 😁), whose expertise spans trauma coaching, health care and leadership development.

💡I get to learn from and work with these badass every day, and I'll tell you what, I am absolutely better for it! ❤️

DON'T MISS THIS! MOST AFFORDABLE TRAINING YOU WILL EVER FIND!

12/11/2024

is on VACATION this week! 🙌🏼

For some MUCH NEEDED R&R 😆 + a WHOLE LOT of music (you guys know music = healing & self-care)

*Remember* Take care of yourself first 😉💕

11/30/2024

Anybody else feel like this today/tonight?

Yea, it’s a weird time for me too. Whatever brand of uncomfortable you may experiencing, consider this👇🏼

Need a lil freedom tonight… Exhale…

Whatever you’re carrying, just let it go. Even if just for the next 12 hours. Just leave it for tonight.

And…feel a lil freedom tonight ♥️🫶🏼♥️

= mine 😃

What’s your strategy? For letting go? Even if just for tonight… Let me know in the comments! ♥️