How do I find low cost or free counseling?

[Wild Lupine]

The title says it all. I've posted in Finding Your Tribe to see if anyone in my area has any contacts.

It is for relationship issues (although I want to go on my own), but abuse is not involved. We're really, really broke and our insurance won't cover anything, so it must be very inexpensive if not entirely free.

Thanks!

[lolar2]

My sister worked at her university's counseling clinic when she was getting her clinical psychology Ph.D. They offered a sliding scale and were very heavily supervised by their supervisors.

[workjw]

I'm not sure what your view is on religion, but there are a number of churches that offer free or inexpensive counseling for relationships. You might call around to see if you can find one or get a referral for/from one.

Also Catholic Charities has counseling on a sliding scale and they will really work with you if you have the program in your area. They are obviously affiliated with the Catholic religion, but when I saw a counselor there they made it very clear that religion would not be brought up unless I was the one to do it. I certainly found that to be the case.

[jmacmilan]

Originally Posted by workjw

I'm not sure what your view is on religion, but there are a number of churches that offer free or inexpensive counseling for relationships. You might call around to see if you can find one or get a referral for/from one.

Also Catholic Charities has counseling on a sliding scale and they will really work with you if you have the program in your area. They are obviously affiliated with the Catholic religion, but when I saw a counselor there they made it very clear that religion would not be brought up unless I was the one to do it. I certainly found that to be the case.

A am agree with you.

Macmilan

[lilmom]

I second the vote for trying at a local university, if you have one where you live. I have had counseling at a local university that cost anywhere from $5 to $25 depending on your income. Totally worth a shot. Yes, you will have a graduate student counselor, but they are supervised, and they still can be amazing.

Local churches may work too, but in my experience, many times they require more $, sadly.

[Ann-Marita]

Another vote for going through a college or university. They have "practicums" for not-quite-graduated counseling students/candidates, usually working toward their masters or PhD. Very VERY cheap. They are heavily supervised by the professors.