Free or low cost professional psychotherapist?

Question

I'm desperate to talk to someone who can help. I'm self-employed and have no insurance and can barely come up with the rent each month. I am very depressed, have anxiety, and have been very suicidal lately.
If anyone knows of any programs out there please help.

Answer 1

Members of MySimpleCard get substantial discount at every
visit with the credentialed psychiatrist with no hassle,
forms to fill out or documenting your income.
Look under Mental Health Providers by zip code.

Answer 2

There are many mental health clinics that offer free or sliding-scale rates based on your ability to pay.

If you tell us where you are, someone might be able to direct you to a place in your area.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness has centers all over the USA - try starting with their website:
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?section=Find_Support

Answer 3

I don't know where you are but most counties provide free and low-cost treatment for mental health:

LOW COST TREATMENT

Sliding Scale Fees - Some providers may have sliding-scale fees. Based on your income, the provider will reduce his or her fees.

Negotiate a Lower Fee with Your Doctor - Other providers, if they are aware of your financial limitations, may be willing to negotiate a payment plan that you can afford or to lower their rates according to what your insurance plan pays.

Community Mental Health Centers - Many communities have community mental health centers (CMHCs). These centers offer a range of mental health treatment and counseling services, usually at a reduced rate for low-income people. CMHCs generally require that you have a private insurance plan or be a recipient of public assistance.

For more information about Community Mental Health Centers:

National Council for Community Behavioral Health Care
12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Suite 320
Rockville, MD 20850
voice: 301-984-6200
http://www.nccbh.org/

Pastoral Counseling Programs - Your church or synagogue can put you in touch with a pastoral counseling program. Certified pastoral counselors, who are ministers in a recognized religious body, have advanced degrees in pastoral counseling, as well as professional counseling experience. Pastoral counseling is often provided on a sliding-scale fee.

For more information about Pastoral Counseling Programs:

American Association of Pastoral Counselors
9504-A Lee Highway
Fairfax, VA 22031-2303
voice: 703-385-6967
http://www.aapc.org/
e-mail: [e-mail]

SELF-HELP AND SUPPORT GROUPS

Another option is to join a self-help or support group. These groups give people a chance to talk about and work on their common problems-such as alcoholism, substance abuse, depression, family issues, and relationships. Self-help groups are generally free and can be found in most communities. You may also join an online support group right here at About. We have a support group meeting 24 hours a day in our chat room.

For more information about Self-Help Groups:

American Self-Help Clearinghouse
Northwest Covenant Medical Center
25 Pocono Road
Denville, NJ 07834-2995
voice: 201-625-9565

http://mentalhelp.net/selfhelp/

National Mental Health Self-Help Clearinghouse
1211 Chestnut Street, Suite 1000
Philadelphia, PA 19107
800-553-4KEY
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Medicare - Medicare is America's major Federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older and for some with disabilities who are under 65. It provides basic protection for the cost of health care. Two programs can help people who have low incomes receive benefits. These are the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) and the Specified Low- Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) programs.

Medicaid - Medicaid pays for some health care costs for America's poorest people.

More information about Medicaid and who is eligible for it is available at local welfare and medical assistance offices. Although there are certain Federal requirements, each State has its own rules and regulations for Medicaid. The Medicaid Clearinghouse contains links to information for individual states.

BECOME A RESEARCH SUBJECT

Many research programs for new meds and treatments will provide free treatment for participants. The downside of this is you run the risk of getting a placebo or an unproven treatment, but if you have nothing to lose take a look at Research Subjects Needed. This page currently lists several different research programs all around the US and Canada.

FREE CLINICS

Haight Ashbury Free Clinic- This free clinic in San Francisco provides services for general health care, HIV, homeless people, mental health care and substance abuse recovery.

Locating Other Free Clinics - The National Free Clinic Directory and A Free Clinic: Starting Out (a manual on how to start free clinics) are published by The Free Clinic Foundation of America and the Bradley Free Clinic of Roanoke, Virginia. You can reach them at:

Free Clinic Foundation of America
1240 Third Street, SW
Roanoke, VA 24016
Phone [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]

FURTHER RESOURCES

For more information about paying for mental health care, contact:

Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN)
P.O. Box 42490
Washington, DC 20015
800-789-CMHS (2647)
800-790-CMHS (2647) (electronic bulletin board)
http://www.mentalhealth.org/

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)

200 North Glebe Road, Suite 1015
Arlington, VA 22203-3754
voice: 703-524-7600
http://www.nami.org/

National Empowerment Center
20 Ballard Road
Lawrence, MA 01843
voice: 800-769-3728