How to enter therapy, or an alternative?!
Question: How to enter therapy, or an alternative.?
For the majority of the past several years, I have felt I need a little help in the mental department. Lately, it's gotten worse. I've started feeling the need to cry all the time, and I'm completely apathetic about most aspects of my life.
I've talked to a school counselor about seeing the school therapist, but the therapist covers the whole city so I could only see her once every 2 weeks and would most likely be dragged out of class for it. I can't afford the absences or the rumors that would spread. I tried some of these "online help" sites, but they are so impersonal and I find it impossible to convey how I'm really feeling through just words.
I'd really like to just have regular appointments with some unbiased stranger that I could just talk to about everything, but I doubt my parents have money to pay for something like that and I don't have the courage to admit to them I'd like therapy anyways.
Are there any alternatives I've overlooked.?Health Question & Answer
I've talked to a school counselor about seeing the school therapist, but the therapist covers the whole city so I could only see her once every 2 weeks and would most likely be dragged out of class for it. I can't afford the absences or the rumors that would spread. I tried some of these "online help" sites, but they are so impersonal and I find it impossible to convey how I'm really feeling through just words.
I'd really like to just have regular appointments with some unbiased stranger that I could just talk to about everything, but I doubt my parents have money to pay for something like that and I don't have the courage to admit to them I'd like therapy anyways.
Are there any alternatives I've overlooked.?Health Question & Answer
Answers:
I started seeing a psychologist recently. It's great. You have a third party who will listen to everything you say and try to help you sort through it. If you REALLY want to get help and deal with everything you're going through you have to know it's not a sign of weakness to tell your parents. Trust me, they would rather you tell them NOW and deal with it than go through it alone for years and end up in a worse place.
If you have a primary care doctor, tell them. They usually can give you a list of psychologists they work with. MOST of these doctors work late schedules to assist with cases such as yours where you can't be out of school or anything. Talking to someone or needing help is nothing to be embarrassed about. You're at least in the KNOW that you need help. That's a feat on it's own.
Talk to your parents. They'll be more understanding than you give them credit for I'm sure. I hope all goes well for you. Good luck. :)Health Question & Answer
If you have a primary care doctor, tell them. They usually can give you a list of psychologists they work with. MOST of these doctors work late schedules to assist with cases such as yours where you can't be out of school or anything. Talking to someone or needing help is nothing to be embarrassed about. You're at least in the KNOW that you need help. That's a feat on it's own.
Talk to your parents. They'll be more understanding than you give them credit for I'm sure. I hope all goes well for you. Good luck. :)Health Question & Answer
You should ask your parents to get you to a physician...you might have health issues that could be causing your depression, a case in point is food allergies...you might be allergic to flour (celiac sprue) or dairy products, sometimes it isn't just a need for therapy, but a need to find out what is the root cause of your depression.Health Question & Answer
Look up your County health Dept. in the blue pages in the phone book.They can refer you to someone who works on a sliding scale. I have a friend who pays $15.00 per visit, and it is really helping her.also, churches can refer you to someone, even if you aren't particularly religious.Health Question & Answer
If you have health insurance you can get help.Tell your parents you need to talk to a 3rd party person about being a teen.They should understand.Health Question & Answer
there should be state programs that can help. try a hotline that deals with teens or suicide and ask them for help. they should know lots of places. it's their job.Health Question & Answer
eat cheeseHealth Question & Answer
Your doctor is a good place to start. They'll be able to run tests to see if there is a physical reason for it, and/or tell you where you can find someone to talk to.
You could ring a helpline, there should be a free one somewhere. In Australia, there's a helpline that also does email counselling, which is free and means you don't have to go to an appointment. It isn't a regular thing, but it's counselling, and it can be very helpful.
Look around for someone that charges on a sliding scale, because they'll charge according to your income.
Churches can be a great place to go, too - the pastor or youth pastor may be able to sit with you and listen and give support to you.
Other than that, perhaps there is an adult that you trust that you could see and speak to about this. I used to go to my godmother or one of my school teachers. They are a little biased, though.
You might find that your parents would be very accepting of you wanting therapy, and they'll be able to help you with it. I was surprised at my parent's response. Generally speaking, parents want the best for their children. They'll also be able to help you find someone you are comfortable with that isn't expensive. And they will know if their insurance will cover it.
Best of luck :)Health Question & Answer
You could ring a helpline, there should be a free one somewhere. In Australia, there's a helpline that also does email counselling, which is free and means you don't have to go to an appointment. It isn't a regular thing, but it's counselling, and it can be very helpful.
Look around for someone that charges on a sliding scale, because they'll charge according to your income.
Churches can be a great place to go, too - the pastor or youth pastor may be able to sit with you and listen and give support to you.
Other than that, perhaps there is an adult that you trust that you could see and speak to about this. I used to go to my godmother or one of my school teachers. They are a little biased, though.
You might find that your parents would be very accepting of you wanting therapy, and they'll be able to help you with it. I was surprised at my parent's response. Generally speaking, parents want the best for their children. They'll also be able to help you find someone you are comfortable with that isn't expensive. And they will know if their insurance will cover it.
Best of luck :)Health Question & Answer
You sound to be very logical in your thinking, you seem to have used the resources immediately available to you, you don't seem to have missed anything that you can do right now.
I know that it is frightening to talk to parents. It seems that they will not understand anything you say. It is hard to admit to them that you need some help. But they are there to help you, they love you, they want the best for you. Talking to them about what is happening to you does take courage, but you have shown you have courage by talking to a school counselor, by trying on-line therapy, and by posting this question. Your parents are not going to be mad at you for asking for help.
Talk to them.
If they have insurance it will probably cover therapy for you. If they don't there are many resources out there to help. Local county mental health centers work on a sliding fee scale (this means that their fee is based on income so that a person, or family, can afford to get help). Many therapists who work in a private practice will lower their fee when someone needs it, they are in the helping profession because they want to help, not hurt, people. Many therapists, psychologists, and even psychiatrist are willing to work with people and either lower their fees, or provide the services for free. Alot of them have that requirement (serving the community) as part of their liscences.
I believe that you do have the strength to ask and receive help. I know that you can do it!
Health Question & Answer
I know that it is frightening to talk to parents. It seems that they will not understand anything you say. It is hard to admit to them that you need some help. But they are there to help you, they love you, they want the best for you. Talking to them about what is happening to you does take courage, but you have shown you have courage by talking to a school counselor, by trying on-line therapy, and by posting this question. Your parents are not going to be mad at you for asking for help.
Talk to them.
If they have insurance it will probably cover therapy for you. If they don't there are many resources out there to help. Local county mental health centers work on a sliding fee scale (this means that their fee is based on income so that a person, or family, can afford to get help). Many therapists who work in a private practice will lower their fee when someone needs it, they are in the helping profession because they want to help, not hurt, people. Many therapists, psychologists, and even psychiatrist are willing to work with people and either lower their fees, or provide the services for free. Alot of them have that requirement (serving the community) as part of their liscences.
I believe that you do have the strength to ask and receive help. I know that you can do it!
Health Question & Answer
Go to a local clinic, no money involved. You are experiencing depression and you need to go to counseling and possibly a mild medication. Do not put it off, symptoms could get worse and uncontrollable. See a Dr. I feel for you. I had anxiety and depression and suffered for quite a long time before I realizes what was happening. I was able to get mild meds and counseling and now have been med free for over 2 years. Good luck and prayers are with you.Health Question & Answer