[SarahSweden]

I have large anxiety problems around the fact that I most likely won´t be able to continue in therapy because of lack of funding. I´ve got a few times in therapy paid by my insurance company but there´s a limitation regardlessly of your diagnosis and state.

Besides the problems I went into therapy for I now have to deal with the fact that I probably can´t continue in treatment. I really like my therapist but I find it hard to deal with the fact that she will probably throw me out. It will cause me a lot of new problems and anxiety around getting a new therapist which is very hard combined with the risk of meeting a therapist that doesn´t match my needs.

The T doesn´t have offer therapy to reduced cost and I´ve never heard of any pro bono cases in my country. The therapy that´s offered is often just "someone to chat with" for a few times unless you´re very sick and heavily depressed. I feel very stuck and think I´m about losing hope...

Talking about this to my T seems in some way quite pointless as she have never brought the subject up although she knows I will need more therapy than the insurance covers. I don´t want her to believe that I´m begging for free therapy either.

[gma45]

Hi SarahSweden, I have run into this problem before and I always had to stop going. Does your therapist have a receptionist ? I would bring it up with her, it never hurts to ask. What are they going to say? either yes or no. I am sorry to say most don't work for free. You will probably feel better if you just get it out of the way and find out. If you have used up your ins. visits with this therapist you can always pay cash if you can afford it. How would you see a new therapist? I don't think they would think you were begging for free therapy. You would just be doing the responsible thing and making sure you would not wind up with a huge bill that you would have to pay. I wish you the best.

[SarahSweden]

gma45: Paying cash is not an option, then I wouldn´t have this problem. As you say, you can´t get more than a yes or a no but it´s still a delicate question as it may be interpreted wrong. That is, me begging for free therapy. Both the therapist and me know of the limitation so billing me without knowing won´t come into question.

I think a step further and really wonder where the therapist´s responsibility for the clients well-being is to take place? Just stating that the client will be thrown out seems cruel to me, that is without having any suggestions how to proceed the treatment in some other way.

[irllydontcare]

I have no idea how the system runs in Sweden, but in the US, you really can just be thrown out. Unless you're an OBVIOUS threat to yourself or others, the message is that you don't deserve anything you can't pay for. Many people never even get a chance to speak to a therapist a few times due to lack of insurance. So they just suffer in silence. It *is* cruel. I wish there were a solution.

[Willowleaf]

I pay out of pocket, and if I didn't I wouldn't get access to one. She has said now I've been seeing her for years that she wouldn't just throw me out but that is only because it's now been years! It's really cruel. I hope you find a way round this. Free therapy for me would only be 6 or so sessions.

[SarahSweden]

Yes, I´m still hoping for a solution and I still wonder how to bring it up when seeing my therapist. Has anyone here had this experience, what did you say and do concerning paying your therapist? Was it just a cold "no" to seeking solutions or did your question end up in some sort of continuation?

[JaneTennison1]

Can you say something like "my insurance is running out, I've really found these sessions helpful and wonder if we can discuss solutions/ways to take a break/ ways around this problem"

I've yet to find a topic a therapist won't discuss (as long as you are not asking about them) so just bring it up and see what she can negotiate.

[QuasiM0d0]

Originally Posted by SarahSweden

I have large anxiety problems around the fact that I most likely won´t be able to continue in therapy because of lack of funding. I´ve got a few times in therapy paid by my insurance company but there´s a limitation regardlessly of your diagnosis and state.

Besides the problems I went into therapy for I now have to deal with the fact that I probably can´t continue in treatment. I really like my therapist but I find it hard to deal with the fact that she will probably throw me out. It will cause me a lot of new problems and anxiety around getting a new therapist which is very hard combined with the risk of meeting a therapist that doesn´t match my needs.

The T doesn´t have offer therapy to reduced cost and I´ve never heard of any pro bono cases in my country. The therapy that´s offered is often just "someone to chat with" for a few times unless you´re very sick and heavily depressed. I feel very stuck and think I´m about losing hope...

Talking about this to my T seems in some way quite pointless as she have never brought the subject up although she knows I will need more therapy than the insurance covers. I don´t want her to believe that I´m begging for free therapy either.

Ask, just ask. Nothing can happen to you if you ask your T. I think your T should have that kind of information for you anyway. I don't know if they have social workers in your country, but if they do you can ask there as well.

I hope all works out for you

Kind regards,
QuasiM0D0

[emptyspace]

.
Can you cut down on some things? Like not eating out, taking the bus, not buying clothes, etc?

I pay out of pocket and my T did give me a reduced rate, BUT I also have to cut back on alot of thing to go as frequently as I do.

Many therapists don't do sliding scale or only have a few spots. Some purposely give discounts if you don't use insurance, because it is extra work for them.

You have to look at it this way... this is their job. They have to make money and having lots of people who cant pay or pay a real reduced fee affects them. They have to pay rent and overhead, licensing and continuing education credits, etc, etc,,,, on top of their personal bills.

Can you reduce your expenses somewhere and then bring that up when asking for a reduced fee?

[ThisWayOut]

I have found that asking can go a long way. I have broached the topic of not being able to afford therapy with multiple therapists, and have found that they were pretty willing to compromise, or at least help me get in touch with someone else that could help me. Asking what can be done if you cannot afford therapy is not the same as asking for free therapy, it's just asking for help figuring thigns out. And if your therapist does interpret it as aksing for free therapy, you can always correct that interpretation...

[northgirl]

My T doesn't take any private insurance so I'm forced to pay out of pocket, which limits how frequently I can go in. He is mindful and conscientiously concerned of the financial strain but we had an honest discussion about money and I told him I wasn't worried and would try to make it work.

[SarahSweden]

JaneTennison1: Yes, something like this would be suitable in this situation. What I mostly fear is of course a "no" and if she doesn´t suggest any solutions. It will really feel like starting all over, having anxiety over finding a new therapist and wondering if I´m even strong enough to do so.

[SarahSweden]

emptyspace: Unfortunately I live on welfare and have just enough money to cope with my daily life. It would be impossible to save money to pay for therapy. If there was a slightest chance, I would of course.

[SarahSweden]

ThisWayOut: I´m hoping for such understanding from my therapist, at least having some good solutions to the financial problem. I know it´s hard getting therapy that´s publically funded in some way and it´s also a hardship just seeking another, knowing that you lost a therapist you worked well with. Not easy as you already have several problems.

[IndestructibleGirl]

It's a really difficult and tight spot to be in to not have the money to pay, I have been there and I am so sorry you are there now.