Anyone in therapy?

coasterqueen wrote: This is kind of a hard subject to talk about and a private one, but I was wondering if anyone was in therapy for any reason? I feel like for many reasons I should go see someone because I seem to hit too many lows and not enough highs these days. I'm more sad than I am happy and I know it doesn't do my family any good when I'm like this. I also keep having these feelings of pain when I think about my aunt who took her life last September. I'm almost ashamed because my two cousins, her children, aren't having as difficult of a time with this as I am. I was walking into work this morning and just had this overwhelming sense of pain and just started to cry and when I had this feeling my aunt's face appeared in my mind. I also had a horrible dream about her, the only one I've had about her, but it's almost as if I'm trying to live her pain and I don't know why. But her death isn't my only issue, it's just (unfortunately) the easier issue to admit publically.

Anyways, how did you go about finding someone? I am not even sure my insurance will cover it and I know I can't afford to see someone without it. Any advice would be greatful. Thank you in advance. This was a really tough thing for me to post, so please don't judge me.

Kaitlin'smom replied: I am not sure how to find one I dont have one but I would suggest talking to your doctor, either your GP or OBGYN. I am sure they can recomend someone. Also call your insurance company see if its covered, or try looking at the policy (not always clear thats why I said to call). Deffinalty talk to someone, sounds liek your having a hard time with her death and need another outlet. Feel free to PM me anytime.

kit_kats_mom replied: No judgement here but lots of
I've not been to therapy for a long time but usually, insurance will cover a certian numer of visits per year. Mine covered 6. Not enough for sure but most therapists will allow you to pay on a sliding scale. honestly, your mental health is more important than kids college, home repairs or anything else. If you have to rob from peter to pay Paul, this is the right time to do it. Talk to your family doctor or just do a phone book search.
Some universities also have free/inexpensive counseling by their last year students.
Good luck.

luvmykids replied: Karen,
JMO I think you could definitely benefit from talking to someone. You could try calling a few churches, they usually have low cost counseling, or a lot of places charge on a sliding scale. I would never judge someone for that, I've been off and on at different periods in my life. The worst that can happen is you feel better knowing you've talked to an objective person who may be able to help you figure some things out, the best case is you feel a whole lot better.

EvesMom replied: I was in therapy and I'm not afraid to talk about it! It was the best thing I have ever done (except for having my daughter). I also had a breakdown at work, that's when I decided I needed help. Call your insurance company and ask about your mental health benefits. Usually you need a precertification. Next find a doctor that takes your insurance. I recommend a psychologist not a psyciatrist(they like to medicate and cover up problems rather then helping you deal with them.) If you don't like the doctor you pick, try another. My insurance covered 20 sessions per year. It helped me overcome severe depression and panic disorder without meds.!!!!!!

booey2 replied: Oh Karen, I had no idea. Definitely find someone to talk too, as mentioned previously ask your current doc and they should be able to refer you to someone. I am at a loss as to what to offer other then a shoulder, ear and hugs.

mckayleesmom replied: No, Im not, but I have thought about giving it a whirl once in a while. I tend to bottle my emotions and then explode all at once.

amymom replied: What everyone has said so far is good. Check with your insurance company. When I was in therapy I found the therapist through my GP. Church counseling is one way also. Also check with Hospice organizations, especially since some is related to death. Check the phone book for a toll free number and just call and they can point you in the right direction.

I wish you well, Karen. Thanks for sharing with us.

coasterqueen replied: Thank you everyone. My husband is looking into the insurance aspect of it as well. It pained me to tell him I need to see someone because he thinks my family is wacko, and well makes me feel like I'm following in their footsteps but what else can I do. My children suffer from this worse than anyone, and they are what matter the most.

I think I read that my insurance covers 30 visits a year at 100% in our PPO, but I want to double check and make sure I don't need a referral.

Also thank you re: whether to see a psychiatrist or psychologist. I wasn't for sure which one to look for.

EvesMom replied: Good luck to you sweet heart!
I had a PPO also and All I needed was the precertification. It started with 10 visits, then my therapist requested additional visits. She was great and set everything up for me.

Sarah&Mackenzie replied: Just want to offer some and say that hope you get back to feeling like yourself again!!!

3_call_me_mama replied: HUGS KAren!
I totally know how you feel and i htink the best thing you can do is to take it one step at a time. The difference betweem what you should lok for (as far as which type) is basically that one can prescribe meds and the other can't. There may be more to it than tha but I think that is the major difference. Also churches are a good place to start as they are free and it may just eleviate enough of a stress off of you while you fiure out all teh logistics of the other one. Hang in there. It is a hard thing to live with.

PrairieMom replied: I was for a while. I was seeing someone for my lack of libedo, and was refered by my OBGYN. Insurance paied for it, becuase Mental health is covered by my company.

~Roo'sMama~ replied: I'm sorry you're having such a rough time Karen. I have been in therapy before, and I guess it helped a little. Talking things out sometimes helps you get past them - if I were to need it again though, I would rather go to someone I know and trust like my pastor or someone in my church who is older and wiser than me and ask them if I can set up a few times to talk to them. It's so hard to know when you go to a therapist if you are going to like them or if they are going to really listen and care, you know? I'm sure they are out there and you might luck out and get one of them.

I was actually considering it for a bit there when my depression was getting bad again, but my natural progesterone cream seems to be doing a good job for me and I haven't been depressed this month. I hope you can figure something out Karen no one should live like this.

A&A'smommy replied: I'm sorry you going through this right now but you would be surprised by the amount of people who are in couseling or therapy. I definitly think it would be a healthy thing to do just to help you deal with what you are feeling!! My mom is in couseling right now and on adavant (sp?) because of all the lows she was having (among other things) and just one session has helped her already!! So sweetie try not to feel ashamed, seek help and konw that we are ALWAYS here for you!!!

C&K*s Mommie replied: No judgement either. Just 's. I admire you for your strength to be open and honest about this, and your courage to take the next step which is through counseling.

b&bsmom replied: First lots of ((((HUGS)))) and just know if you need to talk feel free to pm me.
I have gone to therapy before and found it very helpful. I have battled with mild depression and I already take a steriod for my Addison's Disease so I really didn't want to go on medicine because with my steriod weight is already an issue. Anyway I talked to my family doc and she suggested someone to talk to. I called my insurance company and they covered so many visits and I had a co pay let me tell you their were days that I paid the copay with quarters but I did it because I knew my family needed all of me. I must say it was so nice to talk to someone who wasn't judging you and was nuetral in the sitiuation. It helped a lot. I only did it for a few months but I could go back and do it again for sure. If money is an issue (as it is for me) I found talking to someone at your church ( if you attend one ) is another outlet. I have emailed my pastor and he has emailed me back and also given me his cell number in case I ever need to talk. I have thought about setting up a time with him because sometimes you just need someone who will listen. I hope this has helped. Please feel free as I said to pm me I will be happy to listen.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: Sorry to respond so late, but I just saw this. I am not in therapy now, but I have been before for both depression and an ED. DH actually called for me because I was in complete denial and he wanted me healthy. It was probably the best thing he has ever done for me, except give me children of course! Anyhow, our insurance didn't cover it, but we were on a sliding-scale because we were both not making much at the time. I remember the therapist suggesting an amount to pay per visit and I just told her whether I could do it or not. It was still a lot of $$ for us at the time, but SOOOOOOO worth it. I think I paid around $70 per visit and I did it for maybe six months or so (seeing her once a week).

I think you will find it very beneficial to talk with someone Karen...I still suffer depression and anxiety from time to time, but I definitely have found peace in my life and better ways to cope with it all.

TANNER'S MOM replied: Well I am seeing someone for martial counceling.

I agree it is hard..and grief is the hardest thing to get over.

I want to say you are not the first person to feel this way after a loss. It is very normal.

If you decide to not follow thru with the couceling..please find a grief support group. They can offer lots of resourses..and be very helpful. I had to do this after my Granny Bob died. The hospital actually got us in touch with all the community benefits available.


I know when someone takes their own life..it really brings another twist and some personal guilt. I know there are support groups for loved ones who took their own lives also.

I am again sorry for your loss. But I want you to understand that alot of us have been there..and you shouldn've feel guilty or like a wacko for this.

It will make you a better person, and help you deal with other things in your life.. I promise.

kimberley replied: sorry i missed this post earlier. did you find someone yet? i went thru a lot of counselling in my teens and really should have went after i had Jade. it is nothing to be ashamed of Karen. not getting help when it hurts you and those around you would be the real crime. the way you described how you feel.. the physical pain with the instantaneous tears... i have definitely been there. remember, we are all human and not here to judge or we'd be hypocrits. we are always here to listen.

coasterqueen replied:
Thanks Kimberley. Yes, I go see a counselor next week.

Nina J replied: I just read this and was wondering how it all went?

Also, I saw a counsellor in my teens for depression. Before I went I thought it would just be sitting and talking about how I felt, but I learnt alot of valuable things, some of which I still use today (eg: positive thinking). I hope talking to someone benefits you like it did for me

NEWMOM05 replied: I just saw the post as well. I haven't been to therapy, but I hope all works out for you. How Are you doing?

ilovemybaby replied: Yes I've seen a few to do with being sexually abused.
I also had to take anti-depressants for a while...