Free/Inexpensive counseling?

Question

I have been dealing with depression for about 10 years now, on and off medication. I prefer not to take medication because everything I've tried makes me feel numb. Anyway, the past few years have been normal, but I'm starting to feel my depression/anxiety creep back up on me. When I was in college they offered free counseling so that was a lot of help to have someone to talk to. Right now I make enough money to live but there's no way I could afford antidepressants and/or therapy. Are there places that offer counseling for free or cheap? I don't want anything religiously afflilated.

Answer 1

Yes there is Free and reduced rate counseling at County Mental Health Centers throughout the United States, but it's not going to be like the counseling in College, most county mental healthy centers are ovewhelmed, the staff underpaid, most have only Social Work degrees. But it's an option.

Think about what you learned in the college counseling that helped and begin doing those things again.

Think about what in your life is out of balance. We often tend to do too much, get run down, which then can cause depression. Is there something at the root of your depression back then as well as now that you haven't been willing to deal with. You can never outrun, medicate away things in your past that need resolved.

I've had to deal with depression for over about 30 years now, mostly do to two very abusive families as a child.

I have learned there are things we can do, to help our bodies naturally produce chemicals that help with depression.

Learning to breath right, believe it or not, most people are shallow breathers, so they do not get proper oxygenation throughout their entire body. When people are depressed, having anxiety, they tend to do what is called 'breath holding', without even knowing it, yet this makes both problems worse.

Learning to breath well can take a few days of actively thinking about it first thing in the morning, then several times a day. Do the following: You breath in through your nose SLOWLY, not your mouth; then you exhaul through your mouth SLOWLY. Do this about ten times. Try doing it standing up straight, not with legs locked or you'll pass out. If you get light headed, then sit down and do it, but sit in a chair that causes you to sit up straight. Do this at least ten times. Then a few hours later do it again, then a few hours later. Pay attention and see how you feel before and after doing this for two days, if it helps, keep at it.

It helps stimulate the formation of natural endorphines, which work as our bodies out anti-depressants.

LIGHT, out door light is best, but lots of light inside is even helpful. But if you can, the first thing in the morning go outside, even in the cold and get ten to fifteen minutes of bright light. It tells the brain to be up, to release chemicals needed to be active. Don't sit in a dark place unless you are ready for bed, it sends the brain a chemical message it's time to power down.

Stay away from Caffiene, it sends you up, then down, then up, then down. It's known to make depression worse.

Stay away from a lot of junk foods, you want treats, eat them with your meals. Refined sugars, processed foods are have a sedative affect upon the body and slow down our metabolism, which contributes to the feelings of depression. Keeping your Glucose, blood sugar levels normal, will help depression. When we eat sweets, we send our Glucose up, then down, then up and down. Eating in such a way as to normalize our Glucose will help depression.

If you are not eating, make sure to eat at least three meals a day. Six small ones are even better for the body and mind. Eating a breakfast high in protein is with only a little carb, will help as well, as it helps you not have the high and low Glucose. So you have energy to use throughout the morning. Things like an Egg and Whole Wheat or Oat toast is a good start, maybe a slice of bacon. If you like Cereals make them whole grains without added sweatners, and you still need like a chunk of cheese, so you have a protein to balance out the complex carbs.

Make yourself go for at least a mile walk each day. Walking also produces natural endorphines that are the feel good hormones.

Whatever you decide to do, GOOD LUCK and hope you are doing better soon.

Answer 2

Most places in the country have a community mental health center where you might be able to get some therapy for lower costs.

If you have health insurance, in most states the insurance will pay part of the fees. Also, your employer may have an Employee Assistance Program, which often offers for free 3-to-8 sessions with a trained therapist.

I know therapy can be expensive. However, realize that when a professional devotes their time to learning how to be helpful and focusing on what's going on for you, they deserve to be compensated. Consider setting up a payment plan, being seen less often, joining group therapy, attending a self-help group such as Emotions Anonymous, or looking into online counseling, which can be less expensive.

Answer 3

Our local college has a Master's in Counseling program through the Psych department, and they do accept community clients for students to begin using the skills they're acquiring. If you live near a college or university with a master's in psychology, human services, etc. you might contact them.

Do you have any insurance? Maybe there is some benefit through that. Community Mental Health Centers used to offer sliding-scale counseling, but I think they're pretty focused on the chronically mentally ill now. Still, you could call them.

Answer 4

Check to see if your employer offers EAP---assistance.

Call Local College/Universities and speak w/Psychology Dept Rep. Many times colleges offer free or reduced counseling by Graduate Students.

Call your local health dept and ask if any Local counselors have a Sliding Scale Fee.

Good Luck.

Answer 5

Do you live in the UK? If so you could go to your GP who can refer you to a counselor. Your work occupational health office may also offer a free counselling service.

Answer 6

I am getting psychiatry and therapy through the county because I am disabled. It is also possible to get help if you are declared a medically indigent adult (which means you may have money to eat, but not enough to pay for a doctor) Check with you county hospital

Answer 7

Check your counties health department web site. They usually offer free/cheap services. Good luck.

Answer 8

You could try the health department. Or you could see if there are some depression studies that you could get into. Like testing a new drug.

Answer 9

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