[ramonajones]

I am in a real mess--I've had a brutal depression for 3.5 years. Three years ago I started seeing an out-of-network therapist who I love (yes and LOVE transference style). After two years I told him how stressful the finances have been on me and he lowered my fee to something a little more manageable. I didn't get better, though. Three months ago I started seeing a SECOND therapist--also out of network insurance wise. It is ALL of my money now. I have nothing left over and I have a baby and we're desperate to move out of our miserable apartment and I'm spending all of my money on therapy. The thing is, I'm afraid that if I stop then I'll get worse. I am SERIOUSLY ATTACHED to both of my therapists now. I don't know how I'll leave either one of them. The thought of seeing them is what gets me through the week, but I know that I can't handle the financial stress much longer. This past week I finally maxed out my out of network out of pocket deductible, so the two of them will be covered almost in full for the next three months until the end of the year. After that, the deductible starts over and I won't be able to afford it any more. I am so scared and overwhelmed about what to do.

The second therapist has been more helpful, I think (also more expensive). The FIRST therapist is the one I've been going to for three years and just started talking about my erotic transference with.

I am so overwhelmed and scared and don't know what to do.

Wondering if anyone else has been in this situation--where you can't afford the help you need and what you did about it.

Thanks.

I would not have been able to see a therapist not covered by my insurance. Bottom line: I had to put family finances first, and in network doctors, therapists, etc. are the only way that kind of service is a possibility for me. You have a few months before your deductible starts up again. Perhaps this is the time to seriously look into what providers would be covered by your insurance so that you can continue to get therapy without the finances creating undue hardship on you and your family. I know it will be difficult, but it may be the solution that you need to pursue.

I live in country where we have no insurance so any T I see would be out of pocket. Just after starting to see mt T I was diagnoed Bipolar and ended up on disability pension. I was in aposition after I left my H where I was very badly off financially with debt nnd I didn't eat and drive very much so i had enough to pay, sometimes i didn't and I didn't go but that was too painful so lately I have an arrangement with arrrears payment. My financial situation is getting better so I maybe able to go more frequently in the future.

[runlola72]

Yeah my weekly co-pay hurts because I'm in school and not working. Can you alternate weeks with your T's? Or do you already do that?

[therapyishelping777]

My T gives me sliding rate and it is a really good price for HIM... I wouldn't pay anyone else that, and its a stretch 80.00 a session.. but my life, my emotions, my thought.. have really really improved with him. Thankfully , we've made bonus each month since I started so that is how it hasn't been as difficult for me.. I hope that continues.. its like my bonus is my therapy . I was bummed though as I was getting near my dedubtable getting met 3000 and I called my insurance they say.. no your out of network is 6000 .. ughhhh. ..

[ramonajones]

Originally Posted by therapyishelping777

My T gives me sliding rate and it is a really good price for HIM... I wouldn't pay anyone else that, and its a stretch 80.00 a session.. but my life, my emotions, my thought.. have really really improved with him. Thankfully , we've made bonus each month since I started so that is how it hasn't been as difficult for me.. I hope that continues.. its like my bonus is my therapy . I was bummed though as I was getting near my dedubtable getting met 3000 and I called my insurance they say.. no your out of network is 6000 .. ughhhh. ..

Yup my out of network work out of pocket is $6000 too--AND I just maxed it out. That's how much I'm spending. It's really tough. I'm going to have to make a big change at the end of the year. Pretty scared about it. I know that I'm fortunate to have gotten more than almost anyone I know. It's just so hard for me to let go. My psychiatrist said that I "lack community" and that my therapists are serving as my community right now. It's really hard to let that go.

[therapyishelping777]

It is SUPER hard.. I couldn't imagine letting my T go anytime soon!!! it would be so nice to be able to spend that money on other things... but at the same time... its doing me so much good... I definately think he is super worth it and the best T ever!! I had such horrible T's before.. no help..... and this one is helping alot.. I'm reallly hoping my bonus keep coming ..

[therapyishelping777]

I really wish they didn't make the darn deductables so high!!!!

Well I think you will agree that the transference is a problem. Would not ending the 'relationships' be a good thing?

[ramonajones]

Originally Posted by justafriend306

Well I think you will agree that the transference is a problem. Would not ending the 'relationships' be a good thing?

I don't know. That's the thing. In one sense it feels good to be attached to these people who are giving me attention and care and on the other hand I'm not sure if it's unhealthy--on top of being a huge financial burden.

[Sarmas]

Originally Posted by ramonajones

I don't know. That's the thing. In one sense it feels good to be attached to these people who are giving me attention and care and on the other hand I'm not sure if it's unhealthy--on top of being a huge financial burden.

You makes a good point. I think it's harder to make a decision when we are attached but nevertheless it's important to think of how the financial burden will impact our life. Experiencing financial issues can be so stressful. I was in a similar situation where I needed to decipher if I was going to continue therapy due to financial changes in my life. I came up with a plan where I was able to afford it with proper financial management but I needed to know if it was well worth it. I was attached to my T and I didn't want to let go but I realized that it was a one way relationship. It didn't matter to her if I was in her office or not. I decided not to go through with the plan. Now I'm glad that I didn't spend the extra money doing so. Of course this is not everyone's experience but I had to take a step back and analyze my scenario. It definitely was not an easy decision.