“I Learned from Some Very Smart Women You Don’t Do a Lot for Free”: On Money and Mental Health Care with Robyn Kievit NP, RD

Periodically, I hear someone describe a past therapist, a particular therapy modality, or a treatment center as “just in it for the money.”On the flip side, I’ve had many conversations with therapists and other mental health providers about how hard it is to hold fees, guilt for raising fees, strain strain related to enforcing cancellation policies, weak boundaries, and frustration with insurance policies that can make financial survival in this field difficult.Money is an unavoidable part of mental health care.My work brings me into regular contact with the depths of human suffering and the profound complexity of each person’s internal world. At times, I'm trusted with stories that haven't been told to another living soul. It is humbling. It's a gift. The fact that mental healthcare is both a deeply human relationship and a paid service is an uncomfortable reality. Which makes it a topic worthy of conversation.In this episode, Robyn Keivit shares her story as a female entrepreneur, business owner, registered dietitian, and nurse practitioner. We explore the tension between providing affordable care and supporting ourselves and our families, the relationship between money and self worth, and the personal narratives that shape how we engage with the business side of mental health care.Robyn Kievit is a nurse practitioner and registered dietitian with more than 25 years of clinical experience. She specializes in supporting women through perimenopause and menopause using hormone therapy, medical science, and psychopharmacology, with particular expertise in eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image concerns.Robyn is a sought-out speaker at professional conferences and events and has been featured in numerous national media outlets. More on Robyn: https://robynkievit.com/Robyn’s course, Integrating Hormone Therapy and Psychopharmacology in Eating Disorder Treatment During Perimenopause and Menopause: https://robynkievit.com/resources/course-for-dietitians-beyond-nutrition/ Roby's podcast, NPRD: https://open.spotify.com/show/05VKEcGOKE8ZefoaLIe4ol?si=jbhI9chKRhOlAPJdsMMe9g More on Elka: https://cubacubcounseling.com/