Mental Health for BIPOC
Donation protected
Hello, my name is Stephanie Jensen and I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker currently providing mental health services in St. Paul, Minnesota. Following the murder of George Floyd on May 25th, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota a global uprising has continued to develop across the world. This uprising is not only for George Floyd, but also for the many Black people that have/continue to be killed as a result of police brutality, systemic racism and white supremacy. After supporting, protesting and engaging the Minneapolis and St. Paul communities I began to think about how to increase access for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) to BIPOC therapists. Access to mental health services for BIPOC is an ongoing issue and finding access to BIPOC therapists can be can be challenging for a variety of reasons, including insurance coverage. When a BIPOC therapist is denied a contract with an insurance provider an individual’s mental health services may not be fully covered. In addition, as a result of previous experiences, BIPOC may not feel comfortable reaching out for support from White helping professionals. Not only can comfort be an issue, but access to quality care also becomes a barrier to receiving services.
In an effort to decrease these and other racial disparities within behavioral health, I decided I would start this Go Fund Me to raise money that would increase access for BIPOC people to BIPOC mental health providers. The funds would allow me to provide services through my private practice, St Paul Therapy LLC, for the next 6 months. The services would include screening, assessment, making referrals to Black, Indigenous and Non-Black Therapists of Color in the community as well as increasing availability of free/reduced therapy for BIPOC on my own caseload. I am raising funds to add 10 spots to my caseload for any BIPOC experiencing mental health symptoms or distress related to racism, police brutality or other distressing life events. This is not something new in my practice however, the purpose of adding 10 additional spots dedicated to BIPOC so quickly is to help BIPOC who are in need of mental health support RIGHT NOW following the impacts of George Floyd’s murder on BIPOC in Minnesota. What is going to be new is offering brief screening and referrals for BIPOC and collaborating with individuals to find a BIPOC Mental Health Provider. These funds would allow me to get into the community physically and virtually to provide services as soon as possible and increase the amount of time I could dedicate to this work. The intent of doing the work to screen and refer BIPOC to BIPOC therapists is to reduce the mental, emotional and physical labor being placed on BIPOC helping professionals. BIPOC professionals are experiencing this uprising both as BIPOC community members themselves, and as helping professionals providing care to other BIPOC community members. As BIPOC therapists in the community reach capacity in their caseloads, I will support by referring to wait lists and communicating information to potential future clients as requested.
As a BIPOC therapist, I am committed to continue learning through other BIPOC Mental Health Providers, Professionals, Educators, Activists and Creators about the integration of anti-racism and de-colonization into social work and therapy. Being Indigenous, Hispanic and Norwegian comes with lived experiences of White/White-Passing Privilege, racism and racial disparity. As a result, ;earning and unlearning how to best show up for BIPOC will be ongoing work for me professionally and personally. I expect this work to bring forward many opportunities for growth. These learning opportunities are things I can share with you all along the way. I intend to keep all who are interested updated on what I am learning throughout my own personal/professional journey via email updates, social media posts and a blog on my website. Out of respect and compliance with federal/state regulations, all client information will be kept protected and secured. Not only is this the law, it is also incredibly important to honor each individual’s need for a confidential space in which they can receive support. That being said, I will not ask any of my clients’ permission to share their experiences, who they are or ANYTHING about them. Everyone will receive high quality services without having to sacrifice their own privacy and safety.
FAQ:
Why do you need funds? Doesn’t health insurance cover therapy costs?
Yes, health insurance plans do cover mental health services, however, I am currently not contracted with specific Insurance Providers after applying and being denied because the Insurance Provider already has enough therapists they contract with in my area. I have submitted two appeals and am able to reapply to others this Fall. The funds would allow BIPOC to see me even though I may not be covered under their specific health insurance plan. I will also be dedicating time in screening, making referrals and assisting clients in enrolling for health insurance if they do not have it. Lastly, insurance plans also come with contracts therapists have to follow in order to bill for therapy sessions which include diagnosing and documentation. These can be things that an individual may or may not want shared with their Insurance Provider.
How will the money be spent?
The goal amount was calculated taking into consideration my current income and will contribute to monthly business expenses such as rent, insurance, utilities, supplies, PPE and equipment. Along with expenses includes my income. I own St Paul Therapy LLC and I am NOT a non-profit organization. This means this donation will be taxed when I file taxes in 2021. Along with will the donation being taxed, there is a fee/percentage of each donation made that will go directly to Go Fund Me. In short, the funds will go directly to my private practice to cover business expenses, including my income/taxes, over the next 6 months. This will allow me time to re-apply for insurance contracts, submit appeals if needed, help clients enroll for insurance and also to grow my caseload in order to sustain this work past 6-months.
What will you do with money that exceeds your goal?
Any money that exceeds the goal amount will be used to add more free/reduced spots to my caseload, to increase the amount of hours I work and to extend this work passed 6 months. Depending on how much the amount is exceeded by, I would also assess the need for hiring additional staff as well as assess the needs within the community to determine if there are other services that could be provided. Right now, my immediate goal is to assist BIPOC in having increased access to BIPOC Mental Health Providers.
What will happen after 6 months/when the money has been spent?
Ideally after 6 months I will have had more than enough time to further expand my caseload and income in other ways to sustain these 10 spots permanently. That is the long-term goal for raising these funds. I have specifically calculated out free and reduced spots that will be sustainable for the long-term. I also have the capacity to earn income through providing other professional services. After 6 months, I will donate time to clients who are engaged in services with me and increase my work in other areas to generate sustainable income. Lastly, I have been working in my private practice part-time while also staying engaged in full-time non-profit work which is something I can continue to do to sustain this work.
What will you do with the funds if you don’t reach your goal?
I will use all donated funds to ethically serve as many BIPOC as I can. This means I will begin with screening and referrals until I have enough funds to support providing therapy to each individual on my caseload. Getting enough funds to help one or a few people is better than not helping anyone!
About Me (from my website):
I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in May of 2013 and moved to Minneapolis/St. Paul where I pursued a graduate degree. I received my Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California in December of 2014. On June 22, 2020, I began working to earn a Master’s of Business Administration online through Southern New Hampshire University after being offered a full academic scholarship. Throughout my education, training and supervised practice I gained 6+ years of experience working with adolescents, adults and families experiencing mental health and/or chemical health symptoms.
I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to treat symptoms related to trauma, substance use, anxiety, depression, grief, loss and family system dynamics. I utilize a variety of therapy approaches in order to meet the specific needs of each individual I work with.
I believe therapy begins with developing a collaborative, therapeutic relationship. From the first session, I collaborate with each individual to create a supportive, goal-oriented environment for therapy. Another integral part of my approach is to offer space to process and learn the impacts of systemic racism, white supremacy, colonization, racial trauma, historical trauma and intergenerational trauma. As a BIPOC therapist with a passion for supporting BIPOC, I am committed to the ongoing learning/unlearning that will be necessary in order for me to provide the best quality care.
Visit my website for more information about St Paul Therapy LLC and the services I provide!
Thank you for taking the time to read my page and for considering making a donation. ANYTHING helps! No amount is too small! If you are not in a position to donate funds, I ask that you consider sharing this with your friends, family, coworkers, colleagues, etc. In my opinion, sharing this Go Fund Me page is just as valuable as making a donation. If you have questions I have not addressed or would like to speak with me directly about my work, plans and needs please feel free to contact me with the information below! In addition, I will provide updates via Go Fund Me, my website and social media about this work. Again, thank you for your time and consideration!
Stephanie Jensen, MSW, LICSW
905 W Jefferson Ave, Suite 303
St. Paul, MN 55102
P: (320) [phone redacted]
Email: [email redacted]
Website www.stpaulmntherapy.com
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stpaulmntherapy/
In an effort to decrease these and other racial disparities within behavioral health, I decided I would start this Go Fund Me to raise money that would increase access for BIPOC people to BIPOC mental health providers. The funds would allow me to provide services through my private practice, St Paul Therapy LLC, for the next 6 months. The services would include screening, assessment, making referrals to Black, Indigenous and Non-Black Therapists of Color in the community as well as increasing availability of free/reduced therapy for BIPOC on my own caseload. I am raising funds to add 10 spots to my caseload for any BIPOC experiencing mental health symptoms or distress related to racism, police brutality or other distressing life events. This is not something new in my practice however, the purpose of adding 10 additional spots dedicated to BIPOC so quickly is to help BIPOC who are in need of mental health support RIGHT NOW following the impacts of George Floyd’s murder on BIPOC in Minnesota. What is going to be new is offering brief screening and referrals for BIPOC and collaborating with individuals to find a BIPOC Mental Health Provider. These funds would allow me to get into the community physically and virtually to provide services as soon as possible and increase the amount of time I could dedicate to this work. The intent of doing the work to screen and refer BIPOC to BIPOC therapists is to reduce the mental, emotional and physical labor being placed on BIPOC helping professionals. BIPOC professionals are experiencing this uprising both as BIPOC community members themselves, and as helping professionals providing care to other BIPOC community members. As BIPOC therapists in the community reach capacity in their caseloads, I will support by referring to wait lists and communicating information to potential future clients as requested.
As a BIPOC therapist, I am committed to continue learning through other BIPOC Mental Health Providers, Professionals, Educators, Activists and Creators about the integration of anti-racism and de-colonization into social work and therapy. Being Indigenous, Hispanic and Norwegian comes with lived experiences of White/White-Passing Privilege, racism and racial disparity. As a result, ;earning and unlearning how to best show up for BIPOC will be ongoing work for me professionally and personally. I expect this work to bring forward many opportunities for growth. These learning opportunities are things I can share with you all along the way. I intend to keep all who are interested updated on what I am learning throughout my own personal/professional journey via email updates, social media posts and a blog on my website. Out of respect and compliance with federal/state regulations, all client information will be kept protected and secured. Not only is this the law, it is also incredibly important to honor each individual’s need for a confidential space in which they can receive support. That being said, I will not ask any of my clients’ permission to share their experiences, who they are or ANYTHING about them. Everyone will receive high quality services without having to sacrifice their own privacy and safety.
FAQ:
Why do you need funds? Doesn’t health insurance cover therapy costs?
Yes, health insurance plans do cover mental health services, however, I am currently not contracted with specific Insurance Providers after applying and being denied because the Insurance Provider already has enough therapists they contract with in my area. I have submitted two appeals and am able to reapply to others this Fall. The funds would allow BIPOC to see me even though I may not be covered under their specific health insurance plan. I will also be dedicating time in screening, making referrals and assisting clients in enrolling for health insurance if they do not have it. Lastly, insurance plans also come with contracts therapists have to follow in order to bill for therapy sessions which include diagnosing and documentation. These can be things that an individual may or may not want shared with their Insurance Provider.
How will the money be spent?
The goal amount was calculated taking into consideration my current income and will contribute to monthly business expenses such as rent, insurance, utilities, supplies, PPE and equipment. Along with expenses includes my income. I own St Paul Therapy LLC and I am NOT a non-profit organization. This means this donation will be taxed when I file taxes in 2021. Along with will the donation being taxed, there is a fee/percentage of each donation made that will go directly to Go Fund Me. In short, the funds will go directly to my private practice to cover business expenses, including my income/taxes, over the next 6 months. This will allow me time to re-apply for insurance contracts, submit appeals if needed, help clients enroll for insurance and also to grow my caseload in order to sustain this work past 6-months.
What will you do with money that exceeds your goal?
Any money that exceeds the goal amount will be used to add more free/reduced spots to my caseload, to increase the amount of hours I work and to extend this work passed 6 months. Depending on how much the amount is exceeded by, I would also assess the need for hiring additional staff as well as assess the needs within the community to determine if there are other services that could be provided. Right now, my immediate goal is to assist BIPOC in having increased access to BIPOC Mental Health Providers.
What will happen after 6 months/when the money has been spent?
Ideally after 6 months I will have had more than enough time to further expand my caseload and income in other ways to sustain these 10 spots permanently. That is the long-term goal for raising these funds. I have specifically calculated out free and reduced spots that will be sustainable for the long-term. I also have the capacity to earn income through providing other professional services. After 6 months, I will donate time to clients who are engaged in services with me and increase my work in other areas to generate sustainable income. Lastly, I have been working in my private practice part-time while also staying engaged in full-time non-profit work which is something I can continue to do to sustain this work.
What will you do with the funds if you don’t reach your goal?
I will use all donated funds to ethically serve as many BIPOC as I can. This means I will begin with screening and referrals until I have enough funds to support providing therapy to each individual on my caseload. Getting enough funds to help one or a few people is better than not helping anyone!
About Me (from my website):
I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in May of 2013 and moved to Minneapolis/St. Paul where I pursued a graduate degree. I received my Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California in December of 2014. On June 22, 2020, I began working to earn a Master’s of Business Administration online through Southern New Hampshire University after being offered a full academic scholarship. Throughout my education, training and supervised practice I gained 6+ years of experience working with adolescents, adults and families experiencing mental health and/or chemical health symptoms.
I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to treat symptoms related to trauma, substance use, anxiety, depression, grief, loss and family system dynamics. I utilize a variety of therapy approaches in order to meet the specific needs of each individual I work with.
I believe therapy begins with developing a collaborative, therapeutic relationship. From the first session, I collaborate with each individual to create a supportive, goal-oriented environment for therapy. Another integral part of my approach is to offer space to process and learn the impacts of systemic racism, white supremacy, colonization, racial trauma, historical trauma and intergenerational trauma. As a BIPOC therapist with a passion for supporting BIPOC, I am committed to the ongoing learning/unlearning that will be necessary in order for me to provide the best quality care.
Visit my website for more information about St Paul Therapy LLC and the services I provide!
Thank you for taking the time to read my page and for considering making a donation. ANYTHING helps! No amount is too small! If you are not in a position to donate funds, I ask that you consider sharing this with your friends, family, coworkers, colleagues, etc. In my opinion, sharing this Go Fund Me page is just as valuable as making a donation. If you have questions I have not addressed or would like to speak with me directly about my work, plans and needs please feel free to contact me with the information below! In addition, I will provide updates via Go Fund Me, my website and social media about this work. Again, thank you for your time and consideration!
Stephanie Jensen, MSW, LICSW
905 W Jefferson Ave, Suite 303
St. Paul, MN 55102
P: (320) [phone redacted]
Email: [email redacted]
Website www.stpaulmntherapy.com
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stpaulmntherapy/
Organizer
Stephanie Jensen
Organizer
St. Paul, MN
