[Ganymede00]

So, I’m in desperate need of therapy.

A little background info:
• I’m a 22 year college dropout and been a recluse for 2 years now (dropped out at 20)
• I have general anxiety, social anxiety, depression, and self esteem issues.
o These issues started at about 11/12
• My issues aren’t as severe separately but there are just a lot of minor issues that have added up over the years.

I guess I just really need to talk to somebody who will listen, be understanding, and provide feedback. I really need to discuss with someone my fears, regrets, ambitions, and just general life direction. I’m in desperate need of guidance. I just need to make sense of how I ended up like this.

Now, the problem is I just don’t know which mental health professional to choose from. I know there’s counselors, psychologists, a therapist. I just don’t know who to choose to help with the type of issues I face. For instance, none of my issues would be considered “clinical” and/or disorders so a psychologist would not be very helpful, at least I think so. But I also don’t want an therapist or counselor to be dismissive of my social anxiety/anxiety issues if they would be considered a disorder. All in all, I just don’t know what my issues would be classified as so I don’t know who to seek treatment from.

Something to consider: I’m unemployed so I need low income options; can’t afford a private practice therapist that specializes in specific areas. So, I need the next best thing. But, I also fear that a low income professional won’t be able to devote enough time to my problems.

With that said, my general options atm are:
1. county mental health centers,
2. low income counseling centers,
3. calling a crisis mental health line for references,
4. finding a training clinic from the local university,
5. calling local hospital for info on mental health clinics,

So if anyone has any advice or personal anecdotes that would be very helpful. I guess I’m just too tired and overwhelmed to research this on my own atm.

[jlmass]

Do you have a primary Dr that you see because that would be the best place to start. He/she could give you some good advice on where to go.

Frankly, I think you should try them all to see what works best for you. It may not be one alone. Rather, two or three in combination may work best. Try #s3 & 5 first. Also, call #4. Sometimes self help books from the local library can help too. All the best to you!

[pachyderm]

Originally Posted by Ganymede00

my general options atm are:
1. county mental health centers,
2. low income counseling centers,
3. calling a crisis mental health line for references,
4. finding a training clinic from the local university,
5. calling local hospital for info on mental health clinics

I think I personally would try 1 and maybe 4 or 5 first. Some public mental health centers can be good. I am not sure what a "low income counseling center" is. I have found things such as 3 and maybe 5 to be of little use; they give generic references, not wanting to distinguish between really good, competent professionals and those who are not so useful.

[Perna]

Type of mental health professional doesn't matter; they are pretty much the "same" other than you have therapists (psychologists, social workers, counsellors, etc.) or psychiatrists, who are medical doctors. It is mostly the kind of therapy provided that is different but if you are no/low income you won't have much of a choice there, it will probably be short-term, problem-focused, rather than long-term psychodynamic therapy like you describe as wanting. Low income sources do not have the money to provide long-term therapy; therapists can only see so many patients and thus, have to have a high hourly rate to make a living; even working for a clinic, their salary and benefits and the office space rental and bureaucracy needed the number of low-income clients that can be afforded is not great.

For the problems you describe having, I would check the county and low income centers for anxiety groups. Groups are much less expensive and often quite long-term (I was in one for over 10 years).

[di meliora]

http://psychcentral.com/psychotherapy/