Many psychotherapists have spaces for free or low fee counseling. Also, some therapists have free counseling for an initial session to see if it is the right fit for the therapist and client. Some clients need a particular type of therapist, given what they want to work on such as, a counselor that specializes in addiction, anxiety, dreams, etc. There is free counseling and low fee counseling through counseling agencies in your area. These agencies are usually designed to help low-income individuals and families.
Counseling agencies can be very good, even though it is usually staffed by counseling interns. The interns are supervised well and they are specifically trained in relationship. Insurance companies are another possibility for free or low fee. Sometimes insurance companies do not cover mental health or they only cover certain crisis situations. Agencies and insurance companies usually have limited sessions, such as, ten to twenty. You can find this out when you contact them.
One way to best use free counseling services is to contact three different places and first talk with them on the phone. Describe your situation and ask if that is something within their capacity. They can usually refer you to some other organization that may be more specific and fit your need. For example, there are many places now that just provide counseling services in very specific areas, such as, parents of children with autism, hospice when there is grief of any kind, support groups for over-eating, obsessive problems, addictions of various kinds, etc.
You can at least use these services to get started or to get you through a tough time, then when there is a little more money available, you can find someone more experienced to continue your work. You can then get another referral through the agency, hospital, doctor, or friend. Again, you can interview a few counselors in private practice that can help you take your work farther. You will also get better use when you are ready to pay, because you have already done some preliminary work with low fee and free counseling.
Remember, feeling safe is the best way to know if a therapist is right for you, safe to talk about, whatever.
