Can't Afford Therapy

LegacyUser

I told my doc a few months ago that I had been struggling with anxiety for quite a while. This was a big step for me, as I'd been trying to cope with it by myself. He was great about it, and recommended I try Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), as he doesn't like prescribing meds as a first port of call.

I've started looking into it and have been quoted €125 and €150 per session. I wouldn't mind paying this as a once off fee, but there's no way I can afford that on an ongoing basis. I know therapy is a long road, so I'd need a good few sessions.

I don't know what to do- just getting to this point was enough of a struggle. Now it feels like I don't have anywhere else to turn.

Neyite

Pricing sometimes tends to be flexible. I have heard of counselling services that only charge what the patient can afford. Certainly that was my experience - I got 50% off my sessions. I simply could not afford any more than what I paid.

Go to the initial appointment, see what they charge, tell them what you can afford and if they cant come down in price, ask them if they can recommend somewhere that is more within your budget.

BlueFairy

That's incredibly high for CBT, when I did it myself I paid €60 a session and the prices I saw while researching were €50 - €90 roughly. Maybe have a further look around to find something more affordable?

As the previous poster said, a lot of therapists will negotiate costs with you so it's always worth a chat with a couple of them to see if anyone will help you out. Given the nature of their work, I've not met one therapist who would see someone continue to suffer over helping them work out an affordable treatment plan.

Remember also that you can schedule your sessions as often as you like. So if you can only afford one session a month that would also be OK, and it would be better than no therapy at all. You should be able to dictate the frequency of your sessions according to your needs and what you can afford. Again, talking to the therapist beforehand or in your first session will show you that they're usually willing to help where they can.

While you're figuring this out, there is an excellent free online CBT course that you can do. It's a good start and should give you some insight into how it works. My own GP told me about it, so it comes reccommended from a trusted source:

https://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome

LegacyUser

Hi OP, thats at least double the price I've ever paid for CBT and I've been in alot of therapy!

Contact the PCI www.pci.ie, they will put in touch with low cost counsellors.

Also Donnybrook have started doing low-cost therapy too
http://www.donnybrooktherapy.com/html/lowcost.htm

FollatonWood

Hey there.

Firstly, keep the head up - there's always a way, even when it times if feels like there can't possibly be any way out of the situation you're in. I know, I've been there a hell of alot myself.

With regards to therapy, my own therapist cut my sessions down by 20quid when I couldn't afford it and I've seen others advertise lower rates so so there's definitely flexibility there.

A quick google of low cost counselling/therapy will bring up a fair few results for you. Look for someone with a Masters in either Counselling Psychology or Psychotherapy/Counselling; there are alot of chancers out there with 6 month diplomas masquerading as therapists. Aware also do an online lifeskills course which uses a CBT approach, it wouldn't be the best if you're in dire straits but it'd be something at least until you find an affordable therapist.

I know where you're at OP and it's a horrible place to be, but there is a way out, you just need to find it. You're very courageous to be seeking help.

Best of luck.

Addle

Are you employed OP?
Are you a member of a trade union or does your employer have an employee assistance scheme? Many large employers/public sector employers do.
I know a 'perk' of being a member of my trade union is that I can see a counsellor for free.
I know there's a limit on the amount of sessions, but it might be of use to you.
All the best.

Edit. I think there's also a free counselling service available through my local church.

Ave Sodalis

Hi OP, would you consider online sessions? Turn2Me has a free 8 week service, Engage Programme I think it's called. I just booked as I have to go through a few things but with bad work hours and no money, normal therapy wasn't possible. I don't know what it's like yet but it seems very interactive

Hoochiemama

Hi

Aware offer a free Group CBT course

http://www.aware.ie/life-skills-group-programme/

Greenduck

Hi there OP,

Sorry to hear that your not having a great time of it lately but there are some options open to you. A lot of places take on trainees (usually community based projects) that work for free of charge or for a minimal price. Are you based in Dublin? You should contact a few places and see if they offer this. Most practices do this as an option for people who cant afford it. 150€ is an astronomaical amount for therapy and under no circumstances should you pay this. A normal counsellor would ask for between €50-70 per session. Check out http://www.irish-counselling.ie/ to find a counsellor in your area. These are all accredited to the IACP which isnt a regualatory body but all the therapists on this would be of a certain standard.

Also whilst CBT is good and very effective, I would advise that you maybe speak to a counsellor first. They will direct you to the best type of therapy for you..one size soesnt fit all when it comes to counselling and sometimes the humanistic/client centrered approach suits people better.

ibarelycare

Hi OP, PCI offers low-cost counselling that costs between €10 and €25 per session. I've found them very helpful in the past.

http://pcicollege.ie/counselling-service/lowcostcounselling

FollatonWood

Greenduck wrote: »

Hi there OP,

Sorry to hear that your not having a great time of it lately but there are some options open to you. A lot of places take on trainees (usually community based projects) that work for free of charge or for a minimal price. Are you based in Dublin? You should contact a few places and see if they offer this. Most practices do this as an option for people who cant afford it. 150€ is an astronomaical amount for therapy and under no circumstances should you pay this. A normal counsellor would ask for between €50-70 per session. Check out http://www.irish-counselling.ie/ to find a counsellor in your area. These are all accredited to the IACP which isnt a regualatory body but all the therapists on this would be of a certain standard.

Also whilst CBT is good and very effective, I would advise that you maybe speak to a counsellor first. They will direct you to the best type of therapy for you..one size soesnt fit all when it comes to counselling and sometimes the humanistic/client centrered approach suits people better.

In my exp, the CBT would normally be incorporated into this approach also. Just an FYI OP.

LegacyUser

A good book to use is The Feeling Good Handbook By Robert Burns.

Good CBT style practical help in there.

Greenduck

FollatonWood wrote: »

In my exp, the CBT would normally be incorporated into this approach also. Just an FYI OP.

Yes, this is true. Most therapists work in an integrative approach these days so would adopt different parts from different therapies to give a better experience for the client. What I was trying to tell the OP is to speak to a therapist first before deciding which approach is best. Sometimes CBT is not suitable for the persons issues and problems (even though it is quite popular and effective), its not for everyone and can sometimes be a quick fix for a deeper routed issue that may take a longer time to work through.

Best of luck OP.

FollatonWood

Greenduck wrote: »

Yes, this is true. Most therapists work in an integrative approach these days so would adopt different parts from different therapies to give a better experience for the client. What I was trying to tell the OP is to speak to a therapist first before deciding which approach is best. Sometimes CBT is not suitable for the persons issues and problems (even though it is quite popular and effective), its not for everyone and can sometimes be a quick fix for a deeper routed issue that may take a longer time to work through.

Best of luck OP.

I completely agree with this

JuliusCaesar

CBT, by properly trained and accredited practitioners, is often available free of charge in the mental health services. Waiting lists vary around the country, from area to area.

Most -again properly trained and accredited practitioners - CBT therapists in private practice will offer sliding scales, so that the fee charged varies according to the person's income.

I suggest that the OP research CBT practitioners themselves as some of the organisations and approaches mentioned above I would not go near with a bargepole.