Tom Giordano Appears on “Mental Health Matters” Podcast to Discuss Mental Health and SSD

Pond Lehocky founding partner Tom Giordano recently appeared on the Mental Health Matters podcast to discuss the realities of qualifying for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits based on mental health conditions.

Tom’s conversation with podcast host and psychologist Dr. Joan Feinstein focused on common psychiatric disabilities such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and OCD, emphasizing that these conditions can be just as disabling as physical illnesses—yet far harder to prove.

Giordano explained that SSD claims are not awarded based on diagnosis alone, but on documented functional limitations, such as difficulty concentrating, interacting with others, regulating emotions, or sustaining consistent work. He emphasized the importance of seeing a doctor for psychiatric care, in order to provide a consistent record of your limitations and how they affect your life. Both speakers highlighted major barriers in the system, including poor psychiatric documentation, long wait times for decisions, and widespread stigma that discourages people—especially men and union workers—from being honest about their mental health.

The episode underscored the importance of consistent treatment, detailed medical records, and personal journaling to capture symptoms that may not appear during brief medical visits. Giordano also stressed that disability benefits are not necessarily permanent and can provide temporary financial stability while individuals focus on recovery. The discussion concluded with a call to debunk myths surrounding mental health disability and to encourage those struggling to seek professional, legal, and medical support.

Listen to the full episode here: Mental Health Matters with Psychologist Dr. Joan Feinstein, With Tom Giordano, Partner Pond Lehocky – Episode 3.