[Christina86]

Sigh.

I admit defeat. I admit I'm no longer coping with past trauma issues, and it needs to be dealt with professionally.

A couple of problems...
- I don't want to go to an abuse counsellor, because I'm *NOT* going to open up to just anyone right away
- I'm a poor broke student
- I've got a wheelchair, and not all places are accessible.

... sigh. I wish at times like this I could just bottle my problems. Does that work for anyone? Yeah, didn't think so.

I want to go back to my first counsellor, the first one I've ever had. She's a part of a group now, and I *can* see her... but it's going to cost $60 a session. That's the minimum.

She gave me links to websites offering counselling where I am that she said have cheaper rates...

But I'm not sure. How does one decide if their mental health will be benefited more by a previous relationship that *really* worked for me, versus me being broke?

Does anyone else have that problem? Does anyone even know where to begin to look for funding?

Help?

[Simcha]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Christina86 said:
Sigh.

I admit defeat. I admit I'm no longer coping with past trauma issues, and it needs to be dealt with professionally.

A couple of problems...
- I don't want to go to an abuse counsellor, because I'm *NOT* going to open up to just anyone right away
- I'm a poor broke student
- I've got a wheelchair, and not all places are accessible.

... sigh. I wish at times like this I could just bottle my problems. Does that work for anyone? Yeah, didn't think so.

I want to go back to my first counsellor, the first one I've ever had. She's a part of a group now, and I *can* see her... but it's going to cost $60 a session. That's the minimum.

She gave me links to websites offering counselling where I am that she said have cheaper rates...

But I'm not sure. How does one decide if their mental health will be benefited more by a previous relationship that *really* worked for me, versus me being broke?

Does anyone else have that problem? Does anyone even know where to begin to look for funding?

Help?

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">
I don't know how it works in Canada... I thought seeing a psychologist would be free>??
Are you in the States?

[Christina86]

Nope, seeing a psychologist or a counsellor/therapist isn't free. I'm not sure about a psychiatrist, but I'd assume they're not free either.

I am from Canada, Ottawa specifically.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Christina86 said:
How does one decide if their mental health will be benefited more by a previous relationship that *really* worked for me, versus me being broke?


</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

(((((((((((((((((( christina ))))))))))))))))))

Have you looked at your budget to see if there is ANYTHING you can cut out? When I decided to start seeing T, I thought there would literally be no way I could afford it when my insurance ran out. But it became way more important to me than I expected, and I've pinched a lot of pennies so I can keep going. I do always have this little fear floating around that the money will run out, but so far, so good....

What about going every other week? If this is the person you really like, would that be a possibility??

My T specializes in trauma, but when I went to him, I didn't even think I was going to talk about trauma - just about day to day things like anxiety, etc. (boy, was I in for a surprise!). As I realized over time it was important to talk about, it turned out I had chosen the right person. So, if you decide to see someone new who specializes in abuse/trauma, I really think you can wait as long as you need to before you talk about it.

Good luck - let us know what happens.

[splitimage]

Christina, Psychiatrists are covered by OHIP, but not a lot of them do counselling, or at least that's been my experience. But it's worth talking to your gp about. My addictions Dr. does counselling and I see her for therapy she's covered by OHIP. You could maybe try talking to your gp about a referal to a family doc that does counselling, some of them specialize in it or have additional training in it. I know my AA sponsor sees her family Dr. for counselling.

Once school starts again, you could look on campus. A lot of universities have counselling services for the students that are basically free.

Aside from that you are in the pay for it privately world, and I hate to tell you $60 is cheap. I pay my psychologist $160 / 50 min. She's what I do instead of owning a home. Some other possible sources of low cost counselling might be women's centres, or try the med school at U of O. Sometimes med schools will have counselling services with their students who are training to become psychiatrists.

That's about all I can think of. Good luck.

--splitimage

[Christina86]

I do see a counsellor through the university, but none of them have experience with trauma issues (the one I see doesn't feel qualified). It's a free service with the student fees.

I never thought of U of O, thanks .

$60 is cheap though... huh. Alright. I'll cave then probably. Thanks

[Angel_of_the_Past]

Hugs-Angel

[Christina86]

Hi earthmama,

Sorry didn't see your post!

I actually have no idea what form my budget will take since I'm doing a lot of changes (like moving). Perhaps the money can come from somewhere. I could look into every other week as well...

[Christina86]

thanks Angel.