Today’s episode is a call to awareness, a call to action—and above all, a call to compassion.

At Her Time Therapy, we practice from a feminist counseling lens, which means we don’t view mental health in a vacuum. Systems, policies, and power structures deeply shape our emotional lives, and right now, those structures are failing women—especially those who are most marginalized.

In this episode, we explore how political rhetoric and policy decisions—especially those under the Trump administration—have actively harmed women’s mental and physical health. From Medicaid cuts and mental health stigma to abortion bans and scientific censorship, we trace the throughline between harmful leadership and the rising emotional toll on women across the country.

We talk candidly about:

• How cuts to Medicaid and the ACA disproportionately impact women (KFF, 2020)
• The gutting of mental health programs and mocking of depression and anxiety
• Trump’s anti-science policies, including the CDC’s banned language list (Washington Post, 2017)
• The dismantling of abortion access and its consequences for maternal health (The Lancet, 2021; ACOG, 2023)
• The erasure of gendered and LGBTQ+ language in federally funded research
• Why seeking support is not just personal—it’s political

If you’ve ever felt ashamed for needing help, or enraged by the growing barriers to care, you are not alone. We see you. And we believe that caring for your mental health is an act of resistance.

Take Action:

• Share this episode with someone affected by healthcare rollbacks
• Visit Her Time Therapy to find a feminist-oriented therapist
• Register to vote and stay informed about your state’s policies
• Use the Five Calls App to contact your representatives
• Support this podcast for $3/month on Buzzsprout or join us on Patreon for bonus content and community

Referenced Sources:

• ACOG: Abortion Policy
• Brené Brown (2018). Braving the Wilderness. Random House.
• Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
• Kaiser Family Foundation – Medicaid & Mental Health
• NIH Women’s Health Research – Janine Clayton
• The Lancet (2021) – Maternal Mortality Review
• CDC Language Guidance Coverage – Washington Post & NYT
• Politico – Healthcare Reporting
• Rush Holt Statement – AAAS
• The Cardiology Advisor – Coverage Disparities
• Vox – Women’s Healthcare Coverage
• Trump Administration Policy Documents – US Archives

Support the show

Therapy can be life-changing—but figuring out how to pay for it shouldn’t be a full-time job. In this episode of Her Time to Talk, we break down Insurance 101 for mental health care: what terms like deductibles, copays, F codes, and out-of-network really mean, and how they impact your care, cost, and confidentiality.

We also explore the real pros and cons of using insurance for therapy versus paying out of pocket—and how to know which option is right for you. Whether you're overwhelmed by your benefits, unsure what to ask your provider, or looking for reimbursement help, this episode is your guide to making therapy more accessible without sacrificing peace of mind.

Because your mental health matters—and you’re worth the care it takes to heal.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• What insurance really covers for mental health
• The difference between PPO, HMO, EPO, and other plan types
• Understanding deductibles, copays, and coinsurance
• Why your therapist needs to assign a diagnosis—and what that means
• What F codes and Z codes are (and why insurance only covers one of them)
• The difference between in-network and out-of-network therapists
• What a superbill is, and how out-of-network reimbursement works
• Confidentiality, diagnosis, and your permanent medical record
• Why many therapists don’t take insurance
• How to decide what’s right for your care, values, and budget

Resources Mentioned:

• Her Time Therapy – Book a Free Consultation
• Mentaya – Out-of-Network Reimbursement Help

Connect with Us:

• Follow us on Instagram: @HerTimeToTalk
• Support the show on Patreon
• Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen
• Share this episode with someone who’s ready to start therapy but unsure where to begin

Support the show

This week on Her Time To Talk, we're joined by therapist, mother, and assistant practice manager at Her Time Therapy—Lauren Veazey—for an intimate and powerful conversation about the emotional reality of new motherhood.

Lauren shares her personal story of miscarriage, postpartum anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and identity loss alongside her clinical insight into the difference between the baby blues and postpartum depression. We talk openly about the cultural silence that keeps so many mothers suffering alone—and why healing starts with being witnessed, validated, and supported.

Whether you’re a new parent, someone navigating fertility, or simply trying to understand what support during the perinatal period should look like, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we explore:

• What distinguishes baby blues from clinical postpartum depression
• How intrusive thoughts show up—and why they’re more common than you think
• The grief and identity shift that can come with becoming a parent
• What therapy can offer for women in the perinatal and postpartum periods
• Why naming your experience and sharing your story can be a radical act of healing

RESOURCES & LINKS:

• Learn more about Lauren Veazey
• More from Lauren on PMADS
• More from Lauren on What Motherhood Awakens
• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA
• Postpartum Support International or 1-800-944-4773 (4PPD)
• The Birth Squad: Colorado Perinatal Mental Health Project
• Healthy Expectations Perinatal Intensive Outpatient Program
• Colorado Crisis Services: Call 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text "TALK" to 38255 for 24/7 support.
• National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988 for immediate assistance.

Connect with us:
🌐 www.hertimetherapy.com
🎙️ Patreon

If this episode resonated with you, consider supporting the podcast by subscribing to Her Time To Talk so you never miss a conversation that matters.

Support the show