when you can't afford a psychiatrist...

jenna981 · 10-07-2008, 02:10 PM

Does anyone know of any charity type psychiatrists/counseling? I don't have $100+ dollars for sessions, but I'm in a pretty rough time in my life and I think it would feel good to put everything on the table to a professional to help me figure everything out. I don't really have any close friends to cry to, and the few people I talk to just give the same advice "move on" ..there's no real insight to everything.

If you follow my posts..part of it is a breakup that left me wondering about myself, and there are some family things going on, and just trying to figure out my emotions and life. Sadly, I really think the way the relationship/breakup was messed me up more.

Any suggestions for someone in my spot?

PsychGirly · 10-07-2008, 02:14 PM

I know you feel so overwhelmed that you think only professional help would help you, but before you decide to go to anyone else, try it yourself. You're your own doctor. Only you know what's best for you. Have you tried writing? A few years ago I lost my father, & ended a 3-year-relationship, & I was very lost. I couldn't afford to see a professional either. Someone suggested that I write out my thoughts. I began to write everyday. I would just let my thoughts/emotions flow and write down everything that bothered me. It's such a good release. You feel like you're talking to someone. You may think you aren't getting any feedback, but you'd be surprised just how much you realize when you put your thoughts down on paper. You start to figure out ways to deal with things. You start to think of solutions & ways to deal with your problems.

It may sound stupid, I know...but that's what I thought until I was soo desperate that I figured, what the hell...I'll try it. It's the best thing I've done yet!

girl friend · 10-07-2008, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenna981

Does anyone know of any charity type psychiatrists/counseling? I don't have $100+ dollars for sessions, but I'm in a pretty rough time in my life and I think it would feel good to put everything on the table to a professional to help me figure everything out. I don't really have any close friends to cry to, and the few people I talk to just give the same advice "move on" ..there's no real insight to everything.

If you follow my posts..part of it is a breakup that left me wondering about myself, and there are some family things going on, and just trying to figure out my emotions and life. Sadly, I really think the way the relationship/breakup was messed me up more.

Any suggestions for someone in my spot?

Well i don't know if they do the same in the USA but here theres several other options.. counsellors firstly often charge less and still can be as helpful.

Also here we have assistant psychologists, who are basically psychology grads, who are shadowing a doctor for a year in between their training degrees. often you can book sessions with the assistant psychologist very cheaply, and they are often brilliant.. just younger versions of doctors, but have done about 6years training already to get to that point and throw all their all into working with people.. worth a thought?

metrogirl · 10-07-2008, 02:22 PM

I posted a thread about this yesterday.. I listed a place here in Southern Cali.

Sadly, I know everyone here is so spread out around the world, this might be a good time for everyone to band together and perhaps list a place or two that you might know of in your area so that others might be able to take advantage.

sharsachan · 10-07-2008, 02:29 PM

in nevada, they offered a program called 'nevada mental health' they have counselors and a psychiatrist. they have a sliding scale, so you pay what you can afford. and they do it for medicine as well. when my mother was out of work, she paid nothing for sessions and she paid nothing for antidepressants. i don't know if other states have any programs like that though, you'd have to ask around.

Jetta · 10-07-2008, 02:38 PM

My county has mental health care for non-insured people, free or fee by scale range care (you know charges based on your income). If no income then free. But you get what you pay for, for real. Good luck. There's always a diamond in the rough.

My Advice · 10-07-2008, 02:58 PM

jenna what is your insurance and what state do you live in?

doityourself · 10-07-2008, 04:06 PM

I agree with everyone, there should be a statewide organation that can help you for little or no costs. I know Ive lived in multiple states and there is always been somewhere for me. It just may take you a while to get in, dont get frustrated just make appt. and that in itself will make you feel better. Also if your looking to get some medicine then you should be able to go to your family doctor and he/she should be able to help you.

fireflies · 10-07-2008, 04:24 PM

I would also give group therapy a try. The cost is either very minimal or free and to be honest, I found it more helpful than therapy was, because I was with a group of women who shared similar circumstances with me. Hearing their stories and being heard helped me see that I wasn't alone in my problems and made me feel that a better life was possible if I could forgive myself and learn from my past mistakes (reinterpret their meaning) and adapt myself to think and behave in healthier ways.

In the meanwhile, I highly recommend you read Feeling Good by Dr. Donald D. Burns. It will give you invaluable insignt into how our thoughts determine our emotional state and how to counter negative thoughts with kinder, healthier ways of thinking.

jenna981 · 10-07-2008, 04:47 PM

Thanks everyone. I write sometimes, and I write/type stuff on this forum. I was always kinda depressed...going through school and stuff, so it's not entirely the breakup, although it has made me hit rock bottom the most I've ever felt in my life. I've been exercising, taking Sam-E..and I still find myself down over the entire thing. The guy was my bestfriend too, and I relied on him to go through tough times. My grandmother died at the beginning of this year, and my mom started to get sick, I talk to my dad a little bit, but I kinda don't want him to know or worry I'm suffering so much over this. I have no siblings, so I'm kinda lost with noone to really talk to.

I'm in NJ and I don't have insurance and neither do my parents. I'm 27 and currently living at home, if that matters.

10-07-2008, 02:10 PM	#1
jenna981 Offline Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 217	when you can't afford a psychiatrist... Does anyone know of any charity type psychiatrists/counseling? I don't have $100+ dollars for sessions, but I'm in a pretty rough time in my life and I think it would feel good to put everything on the table to a professional to help me figure everything out. I don't really have any close friends to cry to, and the few people I talk to just give the same advice "move on" ..there's no real insight to everything. If you follow my posts..part of it is a breakup that left me wondering about myself, and there are some family things going on, and just trying to figure out my emotions and life. Sadly, I really think the way the relationship/breakup was messed me up more. Any suggestions for someone in my spot?

10-07-2008, 02:14 PM	#2
PsychGirly Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: LOS ANGELES Gender: Female Age: 22 Posts: 2,207	I know you feel so overwhelmed that you think only professional help would help you, but before you decide to go to anyone else, try it yourself. You're your own doctor. Only you know what's best for you. Have you tried writing? A few years ago I lost my father, & ended a 3-year-relationship, & I was very lost. I couldn't afford to see a professional either. Someone suggested that I write out my thoughts. I began to write everyday. I would just let my thoughts/emotions flow and write down everything that bothered me. It's such a good release. You feel like you're talking to someone. You may think you aren't getting any feedback, but you'd be surprised just how much you realize when you put your thoughts down on paper. You start to figure out ways to deal with things. You start to think of solutions & ways to deal with your problems. It may sound stupid, I know...but that's what I thought until I was soo desperate that I figured, what the hell...I'll try it. It's the best thing I've done yet! __________________ "LIFE IS NOT MEASURED BY THE NUMBER OF BREATHS WE TAKE, BUT BY THE NUMBER OF MOMENTS THAT TAKE OUR BREATH AWAY."

10-07-2008, 02:22 PM	#4
metrogirl Online Platinum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: SGV Gender: Female Age: 39 Posts: 4,687	I posted a thread about this yesterday.. I listed a place here in Southern Cali. Sadly, I know everyone here is so spread out around the world, this might be a good time for everyone to band together and perhaps list a place or two that you might know of in your area so that others might be able to take advantage. __________________ Whether one believes in a religion or not, there isn't anyone who doesn't appreciate kindness and compassion. Dalai Lama Any hope I had for my Seahawks flew out the window when I heard Lofa Tatupu will be out for the rest of the season. (sighs) They call me Ghettro.......Well Scorpion Fury does anyway. LOL

10-07-2008, 02:29 PM	#5
sharsachan Offline Gold Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: nevada Gender: Female Age: 25 Posts: 549	in nevada, they offered a program called 'nevada mental health' they have counselors and a psychiatrist. they have a sliding scale, so you pay what you can afford. and they do it for medicine as well. when my mother was out of work, she paid nothing for sessions and she paid nothing for antidepressants. i don't know if other states have any programs like that though, you'd have to ask around. __________________ Married to Brian, June 21, 2007. Mother to Bear, born April 18, 2008. Mother to Dot, born May 11, 2009. ~we must be strong when we are apart so we can be stronger when we are together~

10-07-2008, 02:38 PM	#6
Jetta Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Minnesota Gender: Female Age: 35 Posts: 2,354	My county has mental health care for non-insured people, free or fee by scale range care (you know charges based on your income). If no income then free. But you get what you pay for, for real. Good luck. There's always a diamond in the rough. __________________ "Reality is what won't go away when you stop believing in it." -Phillip K* "Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves." -Carl Jung

10-07-2008, 02:58 PM	#7
My Advice Offline Gold Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York, NY Gender: Male Posts: 1,560	jenna what is your insurance and what state do you live in?

10-07-2008, 04:06 PM	#8
doityourself Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Gender: Female Posts: 219	I agree with everyone, there should be a statewide organation that can help you for little or no costs. I know Ive lived in multiple states and there is always been somewhere for me. It just may take you a while to get in, dont get frustrated just make appt. and that in itself will make you feel better. Also if your looking to get some medicine then you should be able to go to your family doctor and he/she should be able to help you.

10-07-2008, 04:24 PM	#9
fireflies Offline Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mason Jar Posts: 79	I would also give group therapy a try. The cost is either very minimal or free and to be honest, I found it more helpful than therapy was, because I was with a group of women who shared similar circumstances with me. Hearing their stories and being heard helped me see that I wasn't alone in my problems and made me feel that a better life was possible if I could forgive myself and learn from my past mistakes (reinterpret their meaning) and adapt myself to think and behave in healthier ways. In the meanwhile, I highly recommend you read Feeling Good by Dr. Donald D. Burns. It will give you invaluable insignt into how our thoughts determine our emotional state and how to counter negative thoughts with kinder, healthier ways of thinking. __________________ "If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting?" - Stephen Levine

10-07-2008, 04:47 PM	#10
jenna981 Offline Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 217	Thanks everyone. I write sometimes, and I write/type stuff on this forum. I was always kinda depressed...going through school and stuff, so it's not entirely the breakup, although it has made me hit rock bottom the most I've ever felt in my life. I've been exercising, taking Sam-E..and I still find myself down over the entire thing. The guy was my bestfriend too, and I relied on him to go through tough times. My grandmother died at the beginning of this year, and my mom started to get sick, I talk to my dad a little bit, but I kinda don't want him to know or worry I'm suffering so much over this. I have no siblings, so I'm kinda lost with noone to really talk to. I'm in NJ and I don't have insurance and neither do my parents. I'm 27 and currently living at home, if that matters.