Guest post from Jessica of Homemaking Through the Church Year
If there’s anything sure beside death and taxes, it’s life itself. Life goes on despite tragedy and misfortune, and so ordinary people find themselves in need of counseling in order to deal with life’s bumps and bruises — and such help usually comes with an expensive price tag.
However, counseling doesn’t necessarily need to be a budget breaker.
Tough economic times might prompt people to deal with common stressors (depression, divorce, or parenting difficulties) on their own, but the truth is that counseling sessions don’t have to cost half as much as your weekly grocery bill.
If you find yourself in the market for expert assistance in psychological matters, consider these resources for finding top-notch care without paying top-of-the-line prices.
1. Your insurance.
Some health insurance plans cover psychotherapy as such, but even if yours doesn’t, make an appointment with your primary care physician. He or she can either refer you, or possibly offer some treatment themselves.
(If the psychological problem is treatable with medication, some physicians are comfortable prescribing it. This is completely dependent on your situation, of course, but it’s worth making an appointment in order to find out.)
2. Your HR department.
You may be allowed to set aside part of your salary, pre-tax, to pay for counseling sessions. Check with your human resources department for more information.
3. Local colleges or universities.
Institutes of higher education with counselor-training programs often offer counseling at a reduced price so that their students can learn their trade. Don’t worry about receiving inexpert help: in clinical psychology programs, quality control is assured by overseeing doctors who are licensed and experienced.
4. For-Profit counseling centers in your area.
Don’t dismiss an expensive-looking clinic right away. Many clinics have sliding scales based on income, and if you qualify, you can get $100 an hour help at a much cheaper price. Make sure you call around too as prices vary by clinic.
5. Community clinics.
On top of regular, for-profit counseling centers, many communities have counseling centers clinics that are intentionally set up for low-cost care. Straight Talk in the Los Angeles area is just one example of such an institution. To find such a clinic in your area, check:
- Your city hall — Local governments often list such resources on their websites.
- Your local hospital — Hospitals also often have resource referral lists.
- Google — of course!
6. A local church.
Pastors regularly provide counseling for couples with marital difficulties or parents who need a little guidance.
It takes a bit of legwork, but help for mental health issues doesn’t have to be an impossible dream — and the benefits can greatly outweigh the up-front expenses.
Have you found any other ways to save on counseling?
Jessica Snell is a mom of four who makes her home in sunny Southern California. She loves celebrating the traditional Christian feasts and fasts, and helping others do the same! She’s the editor of “Let Us Keep the Feast”, and blogs at Homemaking Through the Church Year.
