Thoughts on Flow

“It is when we act freely, for the sake of the action itself rather than for ulterior motives, that we learn to become more than what we were.”

-Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted, since I’m in the process of making lots of new things. Moving through ideas and the experience of creation is something that I’ve determined is a non-negotiable priority in my day-to-day rhythm; there is so much revitalization that happens when the doors are open to allow possibility to flow freely. 

My husband finds this same revitalization riding his bike on local trails. He’s on his bicycle every day, in the hot, in the cold, in the rain, in the snow – in all of the things, he rides, and he says it gives him life, and I believe him. 

“Flow” author Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi believes that we each have infinite opportunities to grow into and expand ourselves by developing our unique curiosities and crafting our own skills and interests. This engagement, this work, with our minds and/or our bodies is, to Mr. C, the very thing that lends life its vigor. I tend to agree – the happiest, and most engaged with life that I have felt has been in moments of stretching myself, mining my own creative and intellectual limits, working through new and interesting problems, on my own or in the company of others. 

In the therapy room, that “flow” experience is often described wistfully, as a hopeful afterthought. We crave a certain amount of room to create, or to ride, to find our passions and stretch out in them for awhile – but we have SO MANY other things to do, and anything that isn’t a Must Do feels like a self-indulgence. So, we put it off, or temporarily let the impulse go, and in so doing we sometimes forget altogether these elements of ourselves that are so foundational to who we are. 

There’s no shame in this – I believe our society pushes us to work as much as possible and play…never… but I want to make a humble bid that we fight for our flow experiences, in whatever ways they might be possible at the time. They might be the very things that keep us human, the things that make our lives worthwhile. 

The making of things, the riding of bikes…

What makes you feel alive?

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Useful Information

Some frequently asked questions and useful answers.

Online therapy works in the same way as in-office therapy, but is done online, similar to a Skype or FaceTime conversation. Clients are able to have sessions from home, work, or any other convenient location. We meet with clients using a HIPAA-compliant secure platform.

Online therapy allows you to work with us from the comfort of home, or any private location of your choosing. For some, the screen provides an added layer of comfort that makes the challenging work of being vulnerable in therapy a little easier.

Online therapy also creates the unique opportunity for you to work with us without the constraints of proximity! The practice was born in Keene, New Hampshire, but has since grown to service clients anywhere in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey, Florida, and New Hampshire.

Online therapy is a great option for clients that travel for work, for college students that go home during the summertime and do not want a break in their sessions, and for anyone with a challenging or inconsistent day-to-day schedule. It is an excellent choice for clients seeking a therapist with a particular specialty that they are unable to find support for locally. Some of our clients report that online therapy makes the vulnerability element of therapy a bit less intimidating.

No. For some clients with more complex symptoms or safety concerns, having a local therapist that is readily available is important in case of crisis or the need for a higher level of care. Online therapy is also a challenge for clients that do not have access to a private, quiet space to be “in session” for the hour, or for those that do not have adequate internet connectivity.

There are several reasons why we don’t accept insurance. The most important are:

Confidentiality. Insurance companies require that your information be shared with them in order to pay for services. We prefer that clients’ information is kept as confidential as possible.

The pressure to diagnose. Insurance companies require that clients are given a mental health diagnosis in order to pay for therapy. We have found that many clients benefit from therapy, but do not meet criteria for a diagnosis. Not using insurance allows clients to access therapy without being given a mental health diagnosis.

Flexibility and freedom. Insurance companies dictate the length and number of sessions they will authorize, as well as when a client is no longer eligible for the benefits of therapy. Because we do not work with insurance panels, you and we can collaborate to determine your individual needs regarding session length, frequency of sessions, and when to terminate therapy.

While we do not accept insurance, many clients choose to submit receipts to their insurance companies to receive reimbursement via out-of-network benefits. We are happy to provide these receipts for you! Please check with your insurance company for details on your benefits.

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