Where to find affordable therapy?

[Chase Miller]

Have been depressed for several years and would like to get more therapy.  Problem: I have two children in college, both of whom are on financial aid.   The local mental health clinic isn't equpped to provide regular therapy, and I can only be seen once a month for about 15 to 20 minutes.  My insurance coverage is limited.  Any suggestions as to where I might go to find affordable therapy?  Thanks.

[HFHS-M.D-HG]

Dear Chip
Given the fact that your insurance coverage for therapy is limited, I would recommend that you contact your local community mental health which can provide you information about different sources that are available. You can also discuss your concerns with your therapist. Good luck.

[Toby]

Without insurance you're in for an uphill struggle.  I don't know what your issues are or what state you live in, but here are a couple of suggestions:

Don't set your sights too high:  instead of looking for a psychiatrist or psychotherapist, try a social worker or a "counselor" (hopefully with some educational background).

If you're religious go to the "leader" of your religious community (pastor, priest, whatever) and either talk to them or ask them for suggestions.  If you don't want them to know what's going on in your life, just say "I'd like to talk to someone about a couple of things - is there anyone you might suggest.)

I don't know if you're male or female, but look around for a support group.  This is a lot easier if you're a woman, they're generally low cost (sometimes free).  If you're a man, it can be a bit tougher depending on where you live.  Contact any men's organizations in your area, even ones that might be slightly off topic for your issues.

Contact any self-help organization even if it has nothing to do with you (grief, divorce, abuse, etc.)  They may be able to suggest therapists who see clients that are dealing with what you're dealing with as well.

If you can handle rejection, you can just make some interview appointments with a couple of therapists and once you get your foot in the door explain your financial situation and try to work out a payment plan.  (this is a real crapshoot and I wouldn't recommend it unless everything else failed.)

Finally, go to some of those healthy or new age bookstores or groceries (here we have Alfalfas and Wild Oats).  They often have bulletin boards where people providing counseling services post cards and where flyers for support groups are posted as well.  

Good luck.

[angela]

im 18 years old,im married and have a 9 month son,im living with parents becuase im in the middle of getting a house,i need some help,i feel as if every day life is a struggle for me,it seems as if everyone is against me,i cry all the time,i always feel down,i dont have insurance,and im not rich,when i was 15 i slit my wrist,i went to a couciler once and they said i was clinically depressed,my husband gives me no support,he thinks im stupid and i can snap out of it,ive been like this all my life,im having marital problems,financial problems,family problems and it feels as if its not worth living in such pain and heartache,sometimes i wake up in the middle of the night out of dead sleep with a pain in my chest i cant move,my left arm seems to cramp up on me and the pain increases untill it fades away after an hour or two,everything seems too overwelming to me,i feel like im falling and pretty soon im going to be dead inside if i dont get any help,please help me,take me out of this before its too late to get help,ive tried everything,im hopeless,im loosing all faith...

[angela]

im 18 years old,im married and have a 9 month son,im living with parents becuase im in the middle of getting a house,i need some help,i feel as if every day life is a struggle for me,it seems as if everyone is against me,i cry all the time,i always feel down,i dont have insurance,and im not rich,when i was 15 i slit my wrist,i went to a couciler once and they said i was clinically depressed,my husband gives me no support,he thinks im stupid and i can snap out of it,ive been like this all my life,im having marital problems,financial problems,family problems and it feels as if its not worth living in such pain and heartache,sometimes i wake up in the middle of the night out of dead sleep with a pain in my chest i cant move,my left arm seems to cramp up on me and the pain increases untill it fades away after an hour or two,everything seems too overwelming to me,i feel like im falling and pretty soon im going to be dead inside if i dont get any help,please help me,take me out of this before its too late to get help,ive tried everything,im hopeless,im loosing all faith...