Can't afford therapy but desperately need it...

[yutyu]

Hi,

Just as the title says really. I am awfully suffering with health anxiety and depression, have done for a long time but it's getting to the point where I just can't do this anymore. I want to feel normal, I'm ruining my marriage with it, wasting my children's childhood away worrying and sometimes I can't even get out of bed it's that bad.

But I can't afford counselling. I just can't afford £50 a week for however long. I've tried to set aside money to invest in it but I'm struggling. I've tried reaching out to a charity near me who do it discounted but they didn't reply once I had sent all my details...

The nhs online stuff won't help. I need to speak to someone face to face. I have a ball of anxiety in my chest every day and I just need to breathe 💔

Are you currently employed? If so, have you had a look at the employee assistance programmes? They're usually limited to 5 sessions but often have materials you can keep to refer to.

It’s an outrage that talking therapy isn’t more readily available. Can you tell us what you have tried already so we can make suggestions about what might help?

Also you can self refer to iapt. They have a few different pathways like online services talking therapies and webchat in some areas.

To add as well, it's absolutely no replacement for a real person, but I shamelessly use chatgpt when I need someone to talk to and no one is there as it offers logical step by step processes. If I ask it to pretend to be a friend and tell it my struggles it can help by making suggestions. It's free.

Have you tried NHS talking therapies? Local women's centres? Other counselling services? ( often different areas have centres funded in different ways- some through NHS even if they are not themselves an NHS provision, others are charities)

Are u on benefits? I know someone who said she was on universal credit and they had an option to do it to 30 pounds. Would that help?

This is quite a helpful website/ app as you can search for local services based on specific area of need.

hubofhope.co.uk

Thanks for the replies everyone. Yes I'm currently employed, my plan includes 8 therapy sessions if I'm on the premium plan but I have no idea if my company pays for that or the basic so I've emailed them to ask...

I have reached out to my GP etc who literally just referred me to the service and they just gave me like a log in to a portal thing like an online course. My problem is I need to offload desperately, I just need to get the thoughts out of my mind and mouth.

I've tried reaching out to some companies that offer reduced rates for trainees etc but still like £35 a session and weekly I'm still going to struggle to pay that. It's super stressful. I'm pregnant too so mindful I shouldn't be wasting money on myself when I've so much to buy for baby 💔

My area seems pretty crap for affordable services, though I'm still on the hunt, just don't even mind travelling. I just want to live a life I can enjoy. I don't know if I'll ever get therapy at this point...

Try Anxiety UK they have a range of low cost therapy starting at £20 an hour
https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/get-help/access-therapy/

Is it OK to DM you?

Thanks will check anxiety uk out!

And @Eyesopenwideawake of course!

Have you tried Mind and asked to work with a student? They are discounted heavily. I hope you find something and well done to recognising that you need to take it somewhere. Good luck!

If you are pregnant can you be referred to the perinatal mental health team ?

This^^ I had terrible anxiety in my second pregnancy and was referred immediately. You need to stress the fact you need face to face appointment. It might be online but that's at least a person not a programme.

I'd also consider meds. I went on Sertaline and I'm ever so grateful I did. I managed to salvage the last trimester of the pregnancy and the post part I'm period was great. It really helped me cope.

Btw you are NOT ruining your marriage or kids life. You are ill. Good luck 🤞

Therapists typically recommend weekly sessions, but I am pretty sure they would be happy to work with you privately on, say, a fortnightly or even monthly basis if that made it affordable for you.