What do you do when you can't afford counselling?

[user1477333978]

Just that really!

I have come to realise that a lot of my issues are bourn from the same source but I'm finding trying to unpick it alone is impossible. I also know that I can almost make sense of it and I could put a lot of things to rest once I get there...

I just can't afford counselling...

NHS? You can do a self referral online rather than seeing a GP. They'll contact you to do a phone assesement then you may have to wait a while (I've been told around 4 months, less if I'll Skype).

The basic NHS offering is usually CBT, or another short term option (six weeks is normal). If you're looking at addressing more deep rooted issues you could try to get longer term therapy, but the waiting lists are in the years and it's generally only offered to particularly complex or severe cases.

Have you looked up free or low cost services in your area? There may be charities that can offer more appropriate support.

Find the right internet forum for your issues so you can discuss. Give us a hint and we might be able to direct you somewhere.

Depends what you want the counselling for. Some counsellors offer sliding scale based on income.

Some charities give free counselling if you want to tackle specific issues, for example CRASAC give 24 weeks of free counselling after an initial assessment to see if you qualify. Could be worth looking up support offered by any charities linked to the things you want to talk to a counsellor about!

It depends what the thing is that you need help with. There are tonnes of great books to help with all kinds of issues: childhood neglect, toxic parents, sexual issues, you name it. If you broadly gave a clue about the issue I'm sure someone could recommend you something.

Tried you tube 'free' Julia Kristina vids.
They are brilliant!!

It's free on the NHS and not all areas have long waiting lists.
I had an initial assessment and my first appointment 6 weeks later, it would have been sooner but Christmas came first.
I've nearly finished by 7 weeks now though,and whilst some improvement I'm not right, so looking for something else myself.

My counsellor's fees were on a sliding scale according to income - many counsellors do this.

The NHS don't offee Skype counselling in my area, and as PPs said, any NHS counselling is short term. They also only offered free counselling during working hours - I don't have the kind of job where I could have that much time off 😕 Your best bet is to look online at the BACP (I think) website and see if there are counsellors in your area that charge on a sliding scale.

BACP

Maybe look for a training college, I have one near me, they do a three year diploma and the students often need people to do their hours of practical training with. My place offers 6 months of weekly sessions at £5 per session. The students are often mature people who are at the end of their 3 year course. I found it brilliant and have recommended it to many people who've also found it really helpful.

I second bowtie's post. I used to train at an institute that offered counselling on a sliding scale. They are out there - sometimes also attached to universities.

Conversely, you can approach therapists and ask if they would consider working with you for a nominal amount. You might be surprised at how many say yes.

Have you tried audio book such as Mel Robbins? I found that sparked me to ask the right questions and move forward.

Thank you all so much for your replies! Very much appreciated.

@Tilikum - it's largely around a traumatic childhood (what I consider to be lots of 'little' traumas but just one after the other after the other...) and subsequently a difficult relationship with a parent.

You could try this. It's free.