Anyone know of any free counselling?

[marriedsingleparent]

Think I really need it but am just so broke atm.

I think the YMCA near me has just started offering some - SW LOndon

What kind - relationship or individual to you?

Go to your GP.

Lots of counselling is free or very low cost (just a few pounds a session). Ask your GP about whats available near you through the NHS, this will be free but may have a long waiting list. But there are also a lot of charities that run counselling services, it really depends where you are - your GP may know of some of these as well. If it's relationship counselling you could try Relate (although I don't think it's completely free). You might also get some good advice from the Samaritans or the BACP (British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy) www.itsgoodtotalk.org.uk/

You can get it free through your GP - 6 or 12 sessions. Depending on where you live and how busy your practice is, you may have to wait a few months.

Some workplaces offer free counselling too - usually limited to 6 sessions.

It's not marriage guidance I'm looking for, it's basically just for me.
Not sure even what kind of counselling I need either, if that makes any sense.
Am just not 'relating' to anything or anyone in RL atm.
I get up, take DS1 to school, come home, do housework, then 'hide' in a chair at the kitchen table with my coffee and cigs. No real interaction with DD and DS2 at all.
Even when we do venture onto the local park, I have no interest whatsoever in interacting with DCs or other adults that may be there. I just want to curl up on the bench and be left alone.
I don't even talk to my mum much anymore, and I was always on the phone yakking or dropping in for a coffee.
I cook meals for the family but don't participate myself, just go and sit somewhere else till they've finished, then clear away and wash the pots, etc.

I really just feel like I've given up and switched off from life, although I know how stupid this all sounds.

It doesn't sound stupid at all. And you sound very sensible in realising it might be an issue that counselling would be good for.

The other posters have said anything practical that I could - and more.

Can you remember when "it" started?

The "life-lethargy" also sounds a bit as though it might be depression. While there may well be an underlying thing to that, and counselling is (very) good, it's also worth saying that antidepressants can have a role to play - as a short-term solution, and as a solution that can get you to a place that helps counselling work more effectively.

I'm not a doctor, I'm not a counsellor, but I've come across that view anecdotally, so I'm just passing it on, so that you are aware of it.

Have already tried ADs, but they had no effect whatsoever.
Have been looking at the itsgoodtotalk website. I have no idea what to look for re the reason for therapy. Is it depression, PND, self esteem, I just don't know which one is going to be right for me.

I have to say it sounds a lot like you are depressed. Animula is right, often a combination of ADs and counselling is the most effective. The ADs can help get you back to a place where you are able to engage and work on the underlying issues and the counselling is to actually do that work.

You say you tried ADs before - ADs can take weeks to take effect so if you only took them for a a couple of weeks you might just not have given them long enough. There are also many, many different types of ADs and it might be a case of trial and error to find one that's right for you. A lot of people are afraid that if they need antidepressants that means they'll have to take them forever but that doesn't have to be the case. Often they can just help get you through a particularly bad time, which it sounds like your having. You shouldn't have to put up with feeling this way. Please go see your GP, when you are feeling this low it can be really hard to take the first step. x

Thanks Yoga, I think I do need to see GP again, although last time I saw him I was a blubbering suicidal wreck, so it could be embarrassing.
Is it really possible though for depression to last so long? (4 years). Surely I should have got over it by now!

There are loads of places that offer it near me. What part of the country are you from?

local MIND

MIND - you can offer contributions if you are able to, but it's free. GP referral needed I think.

What are you doing every day?
Sitting at home is hardly going to lift your spirits.
A job?
Study?
Hobbies?
Volunterringf?

What are you doing?

moondog, that's just it, I seem to have lost the will to do anything.
I wake up every morning and feel the dread filling me....another long day ahead where I just want to hide somewhere dark and quiet.

I'm in the East Midlands. I have looked into local therapists but £45.00 per hour is just too much atm.
I realise that GP referrals can be a long wait but I seem to have no choice.

It might be worth you calling your local Social Work team and asking if they have any numbers.

There are dozens of charitable organisations that offer this- it's just a matter of finding out who.

Here is one lead for you.

The only way I can describe it is it's as if I have been 'switched off'.