Wait times for accessing free therapy can be as long as six months, as our founder experienced. Here are some other resources you can access to get help today.
If you need therapy but can’t afford it and are struggling to access free or low-cost services, there are still some options you can consider:
Online Therapy: Many online therapy platforms offer affordable therapy options, and some even offer free trials. You can search for reputable online therapy services that offer sliding scale fees based on your income.
Group therapy: Group therapy is often less expensive than individual therapy, and some community centers or non-profit organizations offer group therapy sessions.
Support Groups: Support groups offer a safe space for people to come together and share their experiences. You can find support groups for various issues such as addiction, mental health, and grief.
The PowersUs, Inc Facebook group is one such space and we’ve got certified life coaches like Laban Johnson and Lisa Jones and maybe a licensed therapist or two and one in the process of getting licensed at present. We are happy to host online sessions and perhaps someone can take the lead on in-person sessions or help direct us to some that already exist.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): If you have a job, you may be able to access free counseling services through an EAP program provided by your employer.
Self-help resources: There are many self-help books, podcasts, and online resources that can provide support and guidance for various mental health concerns.
As far as self-help resources go, ChatGPT is one of the best. While it’s not a replacement for therapy, It can listen actively and non-judgmentally, provide guided reflection, provide you withcoping strategies and tools for managing difficult emotions and situations including breathing exercises, mindfulness practices, or cognitive-behavioral techniques, and it can point you to other resources.
As long as you have an internet connection it is available now at your fingertips at chat.openai.com
I’ve personally had some very therapeutic conversations with ChatGPT and other language models, myself.It’s important to remember that seeking help is a brave and important step towards improving your mental health. While wait times can be frustrating, there are still options available to you.#counseling
About the author: Laban Johnson is a certified life coach and philanthropist with a passion for empowering individuals to achieve their goals and improve their quality of life. He regularly volunteers his time and talent to charitable causes and serves on the board of PowerUs Inc, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women in crisis. In the organization’s latest blog post, Laban shares practical tips and strategies for accessing free self-help resources to improve mental health and wellbeing.