how do i find professional help?

So, I'm coming to the realization that my depression is a lot tougher than I thought. I've become better at fighting back over the last month, but now it is fighting back as well.

The thought of going to a real therapist fills me with paralyzing fear, embarassment, and stress and I'm not sure why. After opening up to my boyfriend about it, he has been as supportive as he can and has tried to understand as well as person without depression could, and it makes me very grateful for him. However, I've been feeling badly about taking out all of my frustrations and negativeness on him and turning on him when he isn't doing anything wrong, but not exactly right either. So then I feel guilty about shoving this all in his face with no warning and it makes me feel even worse.

I decided that no matter what, I'm gonna finally try to seek professional help. This isn't something I can solve on my own anymore, and it's not fair to my loved ones for having to deal with me when I am depressed but am too afraid to tell them what is really going on.

If you have any tips for me on where to start looking or anything, I would appreciate it with my whole heart. Seeing so many of you who have a therapist has been a huge inspiration to me to find my own professional help.

I found my T through an internet search of what I wanted and my area. Cross checked with my insurance website to make sure he's covered.

Going to Pdoc and explaining things, they tend to have good refernces.

I had my T give me a reference for a friend.

Is there a 'centralized intake' in your community. These match up clients with therapists based on need and suitability.

I think a pdoc or personal recommendation if possible

You might want to try your family doctor (primary care physician) first and see if you could get referrals from them.
Good luck in taking this step. You are brave and wise.

I've never heard of a centralized intake before. Is that something I could just search for on Google?

your question...how do i find professional help....

the way America now does its health care is that all americans must now have health insurance (either state or private) those that do not will be getting fined so much per un insured person per household.

after you are signed up with insurance one of two things happen...

1. your insurance company automatically assigns you a medical doctor, therapist or psychiatrist and a dentist.

or 2

you contact your insurance company and tell them which treatment providers that are listed in your insurance plans member booklet you would like as your dentist, medical doctor and mental health care treatment provider.

my suggestion is contact your insurance company, they will tell you if they have already assigned you a mental health treatment provider and if not can resend you a member booklet so that you can choose out of the list of treatment providers that the insurance company has on the list.

if you dont yet have insurance you can get it through your job, your nearest social services department or any private health care insurance company's in your location or you can "go shopping" for insurance on the federal website healthcare.gov. the federal website is only open a few times per year for people to "go shopping" for health insurance. so I usually suggest contacting social services who can help point you in the right directions.

Here in the UK there are different services for mental health but generally googling is the best way to start. Often charities offer a cheaper or free service.

Getting a referral is a good idea as is asking your insurance company for a list.

Here is another resource.

It is a tough thing, you won't really know if the person is a good fit until you go once or twice.