If I were to consider...

Hello. I've been on this site for a very short time, and already I've had a lot of people express their concerns about my needing therapy. I up to this point have been extremely against it and still have several reservations. Given my current situation, being in college, paying expensive entrance fees for my three different symphonies, I do not have the money to afford a Therapist even If I were to decide I'd like to go. I'm currently just exploring my options. I was wondering if anyone knew of any possibly free therapeutic support, and if there was a way to keep these meetings from being in person. If you did, I would greatly appreciate any help and information you could offer.
Thank you.

If youre in college, there should be mental health resources available to you. Go in person - you cant do everything by computer.

I should elaborate to say that my college does have a Mental Health facility on campus, however in order to receive continual treatment I would have had to have been referred to them by a professor. I do not have a close relationship with any of my professors that I could impose upon asking a favor, and I do not suspect any of them would be willing. On top of such, The treatment they offer is not free, and I really can't afford to prioritize it in my budget.

My only qualm about speaking in person is that I do not believe I will be able to allow myself to open up enough for it to be beneficial. I am not suggesting that I would like to receive treatment via the internet, I am merely asking what other options are there available to me.

Please understand I am not well versed when it comes to seeking therapy or what that would entail for me. I am just trying to find out all the ways I could receive therapy should I chose to consider.

That's unfortunate that is how your univ offers counseling. I was able, when I was in college to utilize a free, sixteen session service, no recommendations necessary.
Perhaps some self help reads, of your own, depending on what brings you to have interest or others, that suggested it. I haven't read you other posts, to understand what brought that up.
Hesitancy or feeling a sense of obligation towards therapy could hinder progress.
Best of Luck, in your search for affordable therapy.

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Hello henrietta-the-hippo,

I'm from the UK so things are a little different here. We have mental health charities here that offer services, I'm wondering if they have that sort of thing in your country. I would think that there is and they would be able to point you in the right direction.

We are not a counseling service here at Psych Central, but we are a self-help resource and you'll find sharing here will help. No therapists but other people that are going through or have gone through similar experiences to you. We also have many guided chats, peer led support groups, you can check them out here >>>> Forums at Psych Central - Calendar

all the colleges around here say the same thing you need to be referred by a professor, but this is the key that most students dont know.. they can be referred by their guidance counselor...thats the person you go to for things like what degree you are going for, what classes you should take, making sure your classes fit in with your degree choice, ...this person can also refer you to the colleges mental health /therapy department....

maybe yours can do that too.

I wouldn't think you would have to have a very close relationship with a professor, henrietta. I was a professor, and I would have taken a student's word about needing help. You might go first to the medical clinic on campus and tell the nurse there you are needing/wanting help, too.

Here in the U.S. we have mental health clinics. They take people based on what they can pay. That might be a great place to start. It might take a bit to get an appointment, but hang in there!

I held off seeing a therapist for a long time, but I am so glad I finally went. It has made a world of difference in my life.

Yes omg the wait can be quite off putting, I was made to wait extra long to see a T because I've been labelled non-compliant, but I'm glad I stuck it out.

Henrietta, I'm proud of you for atleast concidering this avenue, very brave of you indeed, also it shows that you know you're worth the effort and that you do infact want to be a healthier version of you.

Regarding a campus referral, I'm sure you don't need a close relationship with a prof to approach them... I mean, you don't have to confide in them as to the ins and outs of why you're seeking out help. Just pick a prof you like best ( one you get along with well will do) and tell them you're certain you could benefit from seeing the campus psychologist,and would they please refer you. If they enquire as to why (and they may out of concern) well then you just be very vague and say "its private".

If paying the campus T proves too pricey (never heard of paying them before though) then I would heed the advice above, there are T's that work on a sliding scale and would definitly be worth looking into and worth the wait.

I'm sorry but I know nothing of sessions that aren't conducted face to face, only time I've heard of that is with clients and T's who are already working together and have attempted different avenues due to circumstances changing, like 1 of them relocates or something....

I sincerely do hope you find the information you need, as I believe you can benefit greatly should you choose to persue this avenue of assistance.

Thank you everyone for your help!

No guarantees yet, but I'll look into my options a bit more....I guess I should start by seeing what other locations would offer therapy if the one through my campus doesn't work out. I also will check in on the one at my campus. It's summer break now, so I'm not sure what that does for their schedule, but I'll see if they still take patients...and what the costs would be if I were to go.

Thanks again!

Another possible option...sometimes churches offer free counseling. You could just give a local church a call and ask if they offer counseling services... but its great that you're wanting to get help.
Much love..

Do churches accept the general public for counseling or do you have to a member of their church to receive treatment? Also, is their therapy different from a regular therapeutic clinic?

Sorry for all the questions, thanks again!

I think, in general, that ministers only counsel the members of their churches. But you could ask and see. Of course, they would counsel from their religious perspective--and not many of them have a whole lot of training in counseling. Some denominations do offer counseling courses for them in their seminary training, though. If you are not of a religious persuasion, then such counseling is not for you.

I got help after being in a pshyc ward at a local hospital. Before that i went to a community organization, that was free, it was like a day treatment facility, but i only went every monday night for about an hour. There was also a day treatment place i went to for 8 years and got my meds from them too. I didn't have to stay the whole day, and got the counseling i needed.

here in the USA churches fall under the category of "public" which means anyone can go in them regardless of denomination and anyone can talk with any of the priests, rabbi's, ministers, reverends, (there are many names here in america for that guy or woman that delivers the counseling/services/mass/.... the title of that person depends on which religion they are providing services under, but here in america a catholic person can walk in to a baptist church and receive prayers/guidance/therapy services, the same with any other church in america. though most people prefer to go to their own churches, I o know many religious folks who have gone out of their neighborhood, and to another church of different denomination simply because they dont want their friends/family and neighbors to find out they are in therapy.