Alma

Whether you prefer to prepare or to “wing it,” a first therapy session can be intimidating. To make things easier, we’ve compiled the most common questions to ask a new-to-you therapist, using the acronym MATTY. - Modality: What modalities or types of therapy do you offer? What are you certified or trained in? What drew you to those modalities in the first place? - Approach: Generally speaking, what are you like as a therapist? What is your philosophy as a therapist and what are you most passionate about? - Typical Client: What is your typical client like? What do they tend to struggle with, what identities do they seem to share, and what makes you well-suited to support them? - Track Record: How long have you been a therapist for, and what do you think makes you a good therapist? - Yardstick: How do you measure progress? What signs do you look for to determine if a client is progressing or not? Do you use any assessment tools or give any homework? For more first session tips, visit the Alma blog: https://lnkd.in/ephafPSR

"The work you do is demanding and requires not just professional skill but emotional resilience. By taking care of yourself, you are better equipped to care for others." If you find yourself experiencing strong emotions after facilitating a therapy session, we invite you to join Alma therapist Robyn Caruso, LMFT, CEDS-C, for a calming meditation session to help you re-center and unwind. https://lnkd.in/eNvUBbpM

Alma can give you the tools you need to grow your private therapy practice––from insurance partnerships, a comprehensive billing and EHR platform, continuing education, and more. Find our guide here: https://lnkd.in/gzGDwEKY

Gone are the days when a therapist could build a flourishing practice without an online presence. Looking for tips on how to connect with potential clients in a virtual world? Download our guide here: https://lnkd.in/g8j9UTXP

21Ninety shared insights from Black therapists in Alma’s network about the top concerns they encounter when working with Black clients. One Alma provider, Cherise Small LCSW, stated, “My Black clients often worry about the effectiveness of therapy and harbor mistrust towards the mental health system, fearing judgment or lack of support. I start by creating a welcoming environment, assuring them of my support, and building rapport. This foundation enables us to develop a safe space where I offer compassion and support, encouraging them to share their deepest thoughts and feelings without fear.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eEHXZq95

We are thrilled to announce that Brooklyn Workforce Innovations (BWI) has recognized Alma as one of its Outstanding Employers at the 2024 Heroes and Innovators Spring Celebration. BWI’s programs empower unemployed and low-income New Yorkers to build careers through comprehensive job training. Our collaboration with BWI has been pivotal in launching numerous careers in tech through the KindWork program. In 2023 alone, we proudly hired 17 BWI graduates, contributing to the program’s continuous growth and success. This partnership has been tremendously helpful to Alma while allowing us to contribute to BWI’s mission and impact.

Fortune named Alma the Most Comprehensive Online Therapy Platform, stating: “We especially love that Alma allows you to diligently filter your results to find a therapist you can connect with. You can filter by identity, including gender identity, sexual orientation, race, and more. This makes it easy for BIPOC or LGBTQ individuals to connect with a therapist who shares their identity. Research shows that identity-matching may improve therapeutic outcomes.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/esSwx67j

We're honored to announce that Inc. Magazine has named Alma as one of #IncBestWorkplaces of 2024 for the third consecutive year! "We care deeply about normalizing mental health and creating an environment for our employees that makes people feel comfortable showing up as their authentic selves. Our company has a 'time out' policy that allows people to take two additional paid days off per year (and expense therapy sessions) to take time to process during traumatic events. The company designed its benefits to support employee wellness, and we offer a $1,400 annual stipend for therapy as well as an expanded family leave policy of 16 weeks for all new parents." Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eTMH4WnU

As Father's Day approaches, we know that not everyone has the kind of relationship with their father that can be easily captured in a standard greeting card. If you've gone "no contact" or "low contact" with a parent to protect your mental health, we know that this requires courage. That's why, if you have complex feelings about this holiday, we want you to know that you are seen, understood, and, yes, celebrated. To that end, we'd like to share with you a personal essay written by our very own Sam Dylan Finch. Sam's experience as an LGBTQ adult who chose estrangement will likely resonate with any adult who has made the difficult decision to choose themselves, especially in a culture that emphasizes that family is everything. Sam writes, "I know that the ways in which my parents couldn’t love me are only a reflection of the ways in which they couldn’t love themselves. That’s a deep suffering I’ve known, too — and while I cannot free my parents or anyone else from that pain, I can do everything within my power now to free myself." The journey to liberate oneself after trauma is lifelong, but we think Sam's words offer a glimpse of what the path to self-love might look like. Read the essay below, and if you feel called to, leave a supportive comment for those who might be feeling alone on this holiday. https://lnkd.in/eEQaybgb

21Ninety named Alma one of the best sites for Black women to find a new therapist who understands them and practices culturally affirming care. The article highlighted Alma’s user-friendly interface, which allows users to browse profiles and schedule appointments easily. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e72g-TdW