While everyone may not think about getting mental health help, when you are ready to do so, you need to be informed on the best way to get the mental health help that you need. There are resources out there that may be able to help you.
Finding a Therapist
Once you determine that you want to find a therapist, there are a few ways that you can go about it. You can reach out for therapy in a traditional manner. This means that you search for therapists in your area, read reviews online, and meet with one that is in your vicinity. When you meet with a therapist in their office, you can be sure that they are qualified to assist you with whatever issue you are experiencing. In some cases, they will be able to offer you medicines to help lessen the effects of certain mental conditions as well.
If you would rather embrace online therapy, this is something that is available as well. To take advantage of it, all you need to do is download a relevant app. Once the app is on your phone or computer, you will need to create an account and choose a plan that you are comfortable with. Then you will be able to meet with a counselor online, who will be able to do many of the same things that a therapist is able to do in-person. There are two major differences, however. One is that you can interact with an online counselor at any time and in any location. Another is that the prices associated with online therapy are considered more affordable than in-person services. This is something to think about if you don’t have health insurance.
Payment Difficulties
When you don’t have a lot of money to spend on your mental health care, there are still ways for you to get the therapy you need. While you may not be able to find a therapist that works for free, you can find mental health professionals that will work for reduced rates when you do a bit of research. You can read about some of the options available in this article from BetterHelp.com.
- Ask people you know. A good place to start is with your friends. You never know who has worked with a therapist and may be able to refer you to a professional that will be flexible when it comes to payments. Additionally, if you have people that you trust, you can talk to them about your problems as well. They may be able to offer seasoned advice in some cases. If nothing else, they should provide a different viewpoint of whatever you are experiencing. This is not the type of advice you can solely rely on when you need mental health support, but it is a good place to start.
- Check for resources in your area. In some areas, there are specific therapists that are able to work with people that may have trouble paying for their services. You might be able to find out about these therapists by doing a quick internet search or by contacting your local social services agency. They may also be able to tell you if you qualify for help paying for this type of help, or point you in the direction of programs that can cover the costs. Moreover, if you go to college, there might be specific mental health services that you can take advantage of.
- Look online. While not ideal, if there are certain issues that you want to learn more about, you may be able to find out more about them online. Keep in mind that some of the information found online isn’t trustworthy, but there are many mental health sites that you can count on, especially if you are reading articles that have been medically reviewed. In addition to checking websites, you may want to look at books that cover a specific topic. For example, if you are having an issue with stress, there are likely books that you can purchase that will offer advice on how to improve stress levels. These resources are not a substitute for working with a mental health professional, but they might be able to help you while you are figuring out how to pay for therapy or are searching for a counselor to work with.
Conclusion
There are multiple ways to get the mental health help you need, once you decide that this is a course of action that you want to take. You can rely on your health insurance to cover costs for you to visit a therapist, search for low-cost resources, or check online sites for more information. Remember that it is important for you to do everything you can to get the help you require, even if you have to search diligently to find someone who can help you at a price you are able to pay.
About Author:
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.