Your new boss is hounding you and it’s really starting to affect you. You aren’t sleeping well. You’re feeling stressed all the time. And the bags under your eyes are starting to look more like a set of luggage. Or maybe you’re going through a breakup (or are stuck in a bad relationship) and you’re just not able to see any light at the end of the tunnel. You’re thinking professional help could be the right choice, but you’re pretty sure you can’t afford therapy. Before you disregard therapy completely and resign yourself to always feeling this way, keep reading. There are some things you should know.
It’s About More Than Money
If you’ve never tried therapy, you might only be looking at the cost as the sole basis for your decision. And while yes, there is a cost involved, there are other factors you should consider:
Mental health issues cost you in other ways.
Are you missing work because of anxiety or depression? Are you skipping social activities because you’re too tired or just “don’t feel like it”? You may think you can’t afford therapy, but what you really can’t afford is to miss out on your life! Anxiety and depression could get in the way of your next promotion and maybe an increase in salary and that’s a tangible cost!
It’s not forever.
You might think that once you start therapy that it’s a lifetime thing. One of the goals with treatment is to teach you skills that you can successfully use in the future, on your own. Yes, it’s possible that over the course of your entire life, you will seek out professional help more than once. But it doesn’t have to be once a week for the rest of your life. You can start or stop as you need to.
Technology!
If you’re having a tough time finding the time to go into an office to see a therapist, technology can help. Some practices (like ours) offer phone sessions or sometimes even video, which makes it easier to fit into your busy life. Plus, the schedule can be adjusted to your situation. You might go in once a week or twice per month, depending on your needs.
Don’t skip the complimentary consultation.
The cost of a session can vary widely from practice to practice. It depends on factors like the education level of your therapist and what your insurance covers (or doesn’t cover). But you won’t know until you ask! Many practices (like ours) and providers offer a complimentary consultation, so take advantage of it. Don’t just assume you can’t afford therapy. You wouldn’t guess if a pair of shoes fits, right? You’d try it on first. The same thing goes for finding a therapist. Use the consultation as a way to find one who fits for you and your budget.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes we get stuck in our own heads, going around and around like a hamster on a wheel. It’s easy to keep reinforcing a negative thought (or several of them) until it seems like that’s how things have always been and how they’ll always be. Therapy helps you stop that negative cycle and helps keep it from starting again. Our therapists would love to help you get on the road to a happier you! Schedule your complimentary consultation today.