[Perna]

Does anyone try other, less expensive/free ways to get help?

I belong to a free lifestyle/health/weight loss site: http://www.sparkpeople.com

And I was just looking at this for alternatives to "regular" psychotherapy: http://www.therapyalternatives.org/about_altpsych.shtml

[sunrise]

I took a college class last quarter on mindfulness mediation. We meditated together once a week, and there was a leader. This is ongoing this quarter, and you could attend for free (no tuition) if you had attended the previous quarter. I did find it very relaxing, and it helped to get my mind off of stressful life stuff. Unfortunately, it didn't fit into my schedule this time. I have looked for a similar group out in the community, but they all seem to have some religious affiliation, and I'm not sure that's what I'm after.

I also find going for walks therapeutic. And when I get stressed out, I find working algebra problems online to be calming.

[sunsetsunrise]

I think that alternative therapies can be great sometimes. I personally prefer them to conventional psychotherapy. Of course conventional psychotherapy has been a "god-send" for millions. But alternative therapies have been more helpful to me. I am currently interested in "meridian tapping". one example of meredian tapping is "EFT" ( emotional freedom technique). some people would say that when we tap on, and give new messages to, certain meredian points in the body, that we can more effeciantly deprogram and reprogram the default settings in our body / mind ( cell memory) . I like Dr Patricia Carrington's work on meridian tapping. But Gary Craig is the person who made it most famous as he made it available to many with his reasonably priced courses and DVDs. A man named Nick Ortner and his sister Jessica are passionate about making meridian tapping available to as many as possible people. No one modality is right for everyone. For many, conventional psychotherapy is exactly what is needed. I personally am a fan of tapping

[splitimage]

My T has talked to me about tapping and has suggested I try it, and she's a pretty orthodox by the book academic PhD. so I'd be interested in learning more about it.

[Midnightmoon]

In my city, Portland, we have lots of colleges where you can get free or cheap care. There is the chiropratic school for free, the naturopath school for 22 dollars and cheap supplements, and acupuncture and massage for 22 dollars. So check out your local colleges!

[Rhiannonsmoon]

Originally Posted by splitimage

My T has talked to me about tapping and has suggested I try it, and she's a pretty orthodox by the book academic PhD. so I'd be interested in learning more about it.

Hello splitimage,

http://www.tapping.com/

I'm a qualified tapper (that sounds so lame lol ), it does have an action and is a good co-therapy but I wouldn't use that therapy alone as a single treatment.

There has been some really great results for certain things but not so much that I would replace all other treatments with this one. Reiki has just as much affect as this therapy if not more which is something I never thought I would say.

[BrokenNBeautiful]

On a separate thread, in the therapy forum I discuss my own plans about hypnosis that I get from a student at a program at this massage school, plus student massages every week. They also do reiki and acupressure.

I am also trying out many cd's and programs that deal with anxiety and depression and other emotional problems. Wendy Friesen is wonderful (hypnotherapist who makes her own cd's---wonderful!)

I am tentatively getting involved at my local NAMI National Alliance for Mental Illness, which has support groups for us and family members and also this "Peer to Peer" thing that I may try.

When there is a will there is a way.

I do self-hypnosis every day, relaxation. I read books about psychology and recovery. They are not expensive.

May check out that link you gave us about that alternative to psychotherapy, too.

thanks,

Billi