Navigating Mental Wellness: Our Commitment to Inclusive Care
In Ohio, recent legislative changes have brought new challenges to accessing crucial mental health care, particularly for our transgender community. The passage of measures restricting Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming mental health services (Erin In The Morning, n.d.; Signal Cleveland, n.d.) signals a concerning shift that impacts the well-being of many vulnerable individuals across our state. At Carve Your Own Path (CYOP), we recognize the profound implications of these policies and stand firm in our unwavering commitment to providing inclusive, affirming, and accessible mental health and wellness services for all.
Our mission at CYOP is rooted in the belief that everyone possesses the innate ability to "carve their own path" to wellness. We champion an evidence-based, trauma-informed, and deeply inclusive approach to mental health and well-being, prioritizing your ability to express your authentic self and protecting your privacy above all else. In a landscape where systemic barriers can make seeking support daunting, we strive to be a beacon of hope and healing.
We understand that mental wellness is not a one-size-fits-all journey. That’s why we embrace a holistic and integrated approach, addressing the entire person through the framework of the Eight Dimensions of Wellness: Physical, Spiritual, Social, Intellectual, Emotional/Mental, Occupational, Environmental, and Financial. Our diverse range of services reflects this commitment, offering clinical mental health counseling—including specialized modalities like art therapy, EMDR, and embodied therapy—alongside wellness practices such as one-on-one yoga, group classes, and Reiki. We also provide professional education and workforce development, empowering other providers and organizations to foster supportive environments.
For our LGBTQ+ community members, and particularly our transgender clients, the recent legislative actions may evoke fear and uncertainty. It is vital to us that you know our doors remain open. We are dedicated to providing a safe, compassionate space where you can work through life’s challenges, build resilience, and move toward greater clarity and emotional well-being without fear of judgment or discrimination. We specialize in providing comprehensive LGBTQ+ support needs, utilizing gender-affirming care practices to increase safety, support autonomy, and decrease barriers to services.
Our choice to operate on a private-pay model reinforces our dedication to ethical and culturally responsive care, free from the constraints and limitations often imposed by insurance companies that can compromise privacy and individualized treatment. This allows us to offer the deep, personalized support necessary for genuine healing, honoring your unique identity and lived experiences.
We envision a world where mental health and physical health are spoken about openly, and communities are empowered to thrive together. Despite the challenges presented by these new regulations, Carve Your Own Path will continue to provide a sanctuary where individuals can access the high-quality, affirming care they deserve. We encourage you to reach out, explore our services, and allow us to support you as you continue to Carve Your Own Path to healing and growth.
For more in-depth information on the specific legislative changes affecting mental health care for transgender individuals in Ohio, you can read the featured article here: Ohio Just Made it Nearly Impossible for Trans People to Receive Mental Health Care on Medicaid.
References
Erin In The Morning. (n.d.). Ohio blocks funding for trans-affirming mental health care for youth and adults. Retrieved from https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/ohio-blocks-funding-for-trans-affirming
Signal Cleveland. (n.d.). Ohio budget would ban Medicaid from covering gender affirming mental health care. Retrieved from https://signalcleveland.org/ohio-budget-would-ban-medicaid-from-covering-gender-affirming-mental-health-care/