[DechanDawa]

My health care provider can't give me mental health care because my deductible is too high. They are trying to help me find resources in the community. I had one trial session with a psychotherapist who did Gestalt and I didn't like it. Another person offered sessions of DBT but she wasn't a qualified therapist. All she had was a masters in education. I am finding that there is a lot of sub par therapy offered by clinics that use interns and not qualified professionals. I am getting confused. Another therapist said she would offer a free trial session and reduced rates for therapy but doesn't want someone who will call her in the middle of the night or anything like that. I told her that's why there's crisis hot lines. I was kind of miffed that she said that right off. If she doesn't want to deal with severe cases than why did she return my phone message when I expressly said I was in bad shape. I have severe depression and suicidal ideation and I am not finding any help. Am I doing something wrong?

[gayleggg]

It doesn't sound like you are doing anything wrong. It's just hard to find someone that is qualified and will work on a sliding scale. It's a problem that a lot of people have when they have high deductibles. Keep trying, don't give up. I can't afford treatment right now either but I hope to soon. Good luck.

[DechanDawa]

Originally Posted by gayleggg

It doesn't sound like you are doing anything wrong. It's just hard to find someone that is qualified and will work on a sliding scale. It's a problem that a lot of people have when they have high deductibles. Keep trying, don't give up. I can't afford treatment right now either but I hope to soon. Good luck.

Thanks. I am kind of ready to give up. But somehow just trying seems to be helping me stay focused. However, I am a little afraid to go to someone without proper credentials as I think people could do more damage than good, or maybe not help at all and then I'd just be throwing money away. Thanks for your reply and my wish is that you get the support you need. You are always supporting everyone here on Psych Central. You deserve the best care, you really, really do.

[sugarbeeMe]

Are you taking medication?

[sugarbeeMe]

Hi! I'm a newbie on this site. I have a ton of experience with therapists, counseling, etc.. I have had times when I was unable to get the help through my depression that I knew I needed. I want give you the name of a book that I found very helpful to "get me out of my head". Have you heard of mindfulness? The Mindful Way Workbook, An 8-week Program. The author John Teasdale did an extraordinary TED talk about mindfulness. Best of Luck to you! Hearts!

[Turtleboy]

now binging on mindfulness ted talks, funny, just got a T and she is trying to work with mindfulness, thanks for the tip!

[DechanDawa]

Originally Posted by sugarbeeMe

Are you taking medication?

No, and am not interested in taking any medication.

[DechanDawa]

Originally Posted by sugarbeeMe

Hi! I'm a newbie on this site. I have a ton of experience with therapists, counseling, etc.. I have had times when I was unable to get the help through my depression that I knew I needed. I want give you the name of a book that I found very helpful to "get me out of my head". Have you heard of mindfulness? The Mindful Way Workbook, An 8-week Program. The author John Teasdale did an extraordinary TED talk about mindfulness. Best of Luck to you! Hearts!

Have been a certified mindfulness meditation instructor for over 10 years, and practicing meditator for over 20 years. Mindfulness is helpful in many areas of life but truly it is not meant to be a cure for severe depression.

I am beginning to think maybe therapy or counseling is not the answer either.

Mindfulness definitely is great for getting grounded in the moment, but when the moment sucks and life is like crap...something else is needed.

Mindfulness meditation practice is rooted in Buddhism.

Thank you for your comments. All food for thought. Everyone should be more mindful and I guess a lot of people aren't. But mindfulness is not a cure for severe depression.

[sugarbeeMe]

Check out John Teasdale's TED talk- this is not Buddhist meditation. This is called Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT.) It has even been through clinical trials.
It is also taught at Kaiser Medical to help people with depression and anxiety. It has helped me to stop ruminating in depression.
I agree that if someone is in crisis- this would not be appropriate.
Best of luck

[DechanDawa]

Originally Posted by sugarbeeMe

Check out John Teasdale's TED talk- this is not Buddhist meditation. This is called Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT.) It has even been through clinical trials.
It is also taught at Kaiser Medical to help people with depression and anxiety. It has helped me to stop ruminating in depression.
I agree that if someone is in crisis- this would not be appropriate.
Best of luck

MBCT is based on mindfulness meditation which is rooted in Buddhism. Virtually any practice with the word mindfulness in it has originated in Buddhism because this is where this mindfulness practice was originated. All mindfulness practices are rooted in Buddhist mindfulness meditation practice. This is simply the history of what you are talking about. Secular mindfulness practices as well are all rooted in mindfulness meditation practice that is rooted in Buddhist mindfulness meditation practice. Why? Because it was the Buddha who first taught mindfulness. Okay? That is the history of mindfulness practice. I might add that mindfulness practice is not rocket science. It is simply becoming more aware of the present moment and where your thoughts and emotions are directed.

Furthermore, regardless of whether or not clinical studies have been conducted -- mindfulness based practices may provide initial relief but have not been known to be helpful in long term moderately severe and severe situations such as trauma and PTSD. In fact, in a clinical study conducted in Boston veterans actually become worse after practicing meditation. Meditation can cause repressed trauma to arise too quickly. The meditation program with the Boston veterans was discontinued.

Anecdotally people notoriously do not maintain mindfulness practices long term. So as far as your clinical studies are concerned...I would like to know how they long they were conducted. Sure, people get some relief after a few months but most people simply do not continue long enough for life changing results.

I kind of resent your coming back and going on and on about something I already said I was knowledgeable about.

Telling severely depressed people to do mindfulness practice is not something you should be advising.

[sugarbeeMe]

Originally Posted by DechanDawa

MBCT is based on mindfulness meditation which is rooted in Buddhism. Virtually any practice with the word mindfulness in it has originated in Buddhism because this is where this mindfulness practice was originated. All mindfulness practices are rooted in Buddhist mindfulness meditation practice. This is simply the history of what you are talking about. Secular mindfulness practices as well are all rooted in mindfulness meditation practice that is rooted in Buddhist mindfulness meditation practice. Why? Because it was the Buddha who first taught mindfulness. Okay? That is the history of mindfulness practice. I might add that mindfulness practice is not rocket science. It is simply becoming more aware of the present moment and where your thoughts and emotions are directed.

Furthermore, regardless of whether or not clinical studies have been conducted -- mindfulness based practices may provide initial relief but have not been known to be helpful in long term moderately severe and severe situations such as trauma and PTSD. In fact, in a clinical study conducted in Boston veterans actually become worse after practicing meditation. Meditation can cause repressed trauma to arise too quickly. The meditation program with the Boston veterans was discontinued.

Anecdotally people notoriously do not maintain mindfulness practices long term. So as far as your clinical studies are concerned...I would like to know how they long they were conducted. Sure, people get some relief after a few months but most people simply do not continue long enough for life changing results.

I kind of resent your coming back and going on and on about something I already said I was knowledgeable about.

Telling severely depressed people to do mindfulness practice is not something you should be advising.

You are right. I do not intend to advise. Love to you.

[Lost_in_the_woods]

(((HUGS)))
I can only use DBT mindfulness/distress tolerance grounding tools.
Also triggered by meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided imagery..at best I feel like my skin is crawling!