Suggestions for therapy on a budget

[Praetorian]

Without sounding too whiny, I'm looking to get some help for some issues I have. I'm 27 and pretty poor so I certainly can't afford a counselor. I also live with my GF and while it's a happy relationship, I don't necessarily want to tell her that I need someone to talk to that isn't her because I think it would be hurtful. Does anyone know if there's something online that could help?

It's an awkward question but I don't really have anywhere else to ask it...and it's not like I can go talk to my pastor or anything . Thanks.

[Faith No More]

It depends on where you are located.

When I was 16, I went to a local service that provided three months of free therapy, so there may be something like that in your area. As for online, therapy isn't really the kind of thing that can be done that way. You need to develop a rapport with your therapist that cannot really be done on the internet.

[Praetorian]

I haven't found anything yet but I'll keep looking. Some health insurance covers it, but I can't afford that either. I was sort of hoping that some counselors might do a free email service, or something...but you're probably right about building a rapport.

[kılıç_mehmet]

Without sounding too whiny, I'm looking to get some help for some issues I have. I'm 27 and pretty poor so I certainly can't afford a counselor. I also live with my GF and while it's a happy relationship, I don't necessarily want to tell her that I need someone to talk to that isn't her because I think it would be hurtful. Does anyone know if there's something online that could help?

It's an awkward question but I don't really have anywhere else to ask it...and it's not like I can go talk to my pastor or anything . Thanks.

What exactly is the problem?

[Praetorian]

I have some pretty intense feelings of loneliness and alienation despite having people who care about me. I was also in the military and have some trouble with things that happened. Common problems...but particularly the first one can't really be talked about with people that I know or it would make them feel shitty.

[wwjs]

I'd recommend going to a pastor. Tell him that you're not religious and would like to just talk about your problem with someone. It's free and if you feel that it's not for you then you can always stop visiting him.

[Angrboda]

Local Resources

A good first step is to contact the United Way in your area. They maintain lists of resources in the community. If you call 211 on your phone, that will connect you directly to their referral and directory services.

http://www.uwcnm.org/help/index.html (Dial 2-1-1 for toll free help and referrals.)

(3-1-1 is another number you can call for various types of local information.)

Another first step would be to contact your local chapter of NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill), . They are a non-profit group that advocates for the mentally ill, and can help you get connected at no charge.


Second step is to contact your local county social services agency. They can provide you with information about services available in your local community, as well as what public programs are available that might help you pay for mental health services, or other help to free up monies for counseling.

http://www.hsd.state.nm.us/ (State Human Services Department)

http://www.hsd.state.nm.us/isd/fieldoffices.html (locating a local field office)


I would also contact local mental health service providers in your community. Many provide sliding scale fees, or, sometimes services at no cost either through their own programs or government sponsored programs. They can also refer you to suitable programs in your area. (Most counties here have a public mental health center that offers state sponsored services and drop-in counseling.)

http://www.hogaresinc.org/index.php/services

https://hospitals.unm.edu/hospitals/unmpc.shtml


There are also numerous "crisis lines" available. Don't feel that you need to be in a crisis or situation beyond your control to call them. They are there to help, whatever your situation.

https://www.optumhealthnewmexico.com/con...sLines.jsp

http://www.suicidehotlines.com/newmexico.html


There's also a drop-in center there. These are primarily used by chronically ill patients, but they are staffed by mental health professionals who can assist you in locating relevant programs and resources in the area.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Albuquerq...9489582399

http://www.achrnm.org/


(ETA: I noticed that you posted you were in the military. I would contact your local veteran affairs office. They may be able to connect you to government sponsored help related to your service, or refer you to service organizations that can assist you further.)



Non-local Resources

The Samaritans is a U.K. based outfit that was formed primarily to provide suicide counseling and now offers services via the internet worldwide.
Again, don't be afraid to contact them even if your situation is not a suicidal emergency. They're there to help.

http://www.samaritans.org/

And depending, there are online resources for doing CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) online. CBT is an effective therapy for treating depression and some related disorders.

https://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome


And finally, if you are struggling with psychological issues, you can do things not directly related to them which will improve your ability to deal with them. Most important, get good sleep, eat well, and exercise regularly. (Even if just a 15 minute walk each day; exercise is very effective at helping alleviate symptoms of depression.) A bit less easily addressed, but situational factors, like lack of money, jobs, presence of stressors like unhelpful family and friends, all these can make it harder for you to deal. If you can address those, I recommend you do so. (See contact information for state human services above; they can get you in touch with agencies for dealing with economic issues like jobs and so forth, as well.)

Best of luck.

[Praetorian]

I certainly considered it, but I asked myself, if you take the option of God away from a pastor, what counsel do they have left? I mean, I used to be present for religious counsel quite a bit in my "previous life," as I would call it, and really the only comfort a pastor has at the end of the day is their own moral compass. While an ear to listen is certainly welcomed, seminary is no substitute for psychology. I could try, but is it worth the trouble?

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Wow, thanks apophenia, that helps a lot. I'll check it all out.

[fr0d0]

I think you'd have to trust the pastor. I kinda did that, though primarily this pastor was my friend. I knew him to be highly sensitive and thoughtful. He'd moved away so could also have perspective. It boils down to the individual. I hope you find a good counselor

[Jackalope]

I think you'd have to trust the pastor. I kinda did that, though primarily this pastor was my friend. I knew him to be highly sensitive and thoughtful. He'd moved away so could also have perspective. It boils down to the individual. I hope you find a good counselor

I think that advice (you have to trust them) applies in any case. Someone can't advise you if you can't share with them openly. That of course is completely aside from the issue of there being good and bad counselors both in the clergy and in secular service.