Category Archives for "Help"

How to Find an Affordable Therapist

By Dustin | Help

Going to therapy can be a challenging proposition. Thankfully, the stigma surrounding therapy has diminished in recent years, with more and more people realizing it’s a good and often necessary part of mental health.

But even if you do find the right therapist, the cost per session can be a huge roadblock. A single therapy session can cost $100 to $200 or more out of pocket. That can quickly add up beyond the average person’s ability to afford.

Combined with the struggle of finding the right therapist for you, therapy can start to seem like it’s just not worth it. But fortunately, there are some strategies for finding affordable therapy when you need it.

Check your health insurance policy

People go to therapy for a variety of reasons — their marriage is in trouble; they’re suffering depression or suicidal thoughts; they need help with grief or loss.

If you have health insurance, one of the first things you should try is contacting your insurance provider to see what they’ll cover. Health insurance doesn’t always cover everything when it comes to therapy, and even if you are covered, your out-of-pocket costs may vary.

In general, most insurance companies offer coverage for some mental health issues, if they’re considered medically necessary. Most likely, your insurer will want an official mental health diagnosis before providing coverage.

Another possible obstacle to finding therapy your insurance will pay for: you may have to find a therapist who’s “in network,” which may not include a therapist you’ve found that’s right for you.

Go for counseling at church

Or choose another religious or spiritual group that you belong to. Many pastors, rabbis, and imams are trained in family and marriage counseling, which they provide for free or at low cost.

Some churches and religious organizations even have room in their budget specifically to help with the counseling needs of church members.

Of course, not all religious counselors are equally equipped to handle the more complicated aspects of a troubled marriage (for example, when it comes to sex). But if they can’t handle your problems themselves, they may be able to provide a referral to another marriage counselor, or to community resources that can be of help.

Inquire at your local community center

Not every therapist has their own practice. There are many licensed and qualified mental health professionals who work at community and public health centers and can provide lower-cost treatment.

Check with community centers, hospitals, and peer support or recovery groups in your area. You may also qualify for psychiatric help from the state, if you’ve been diagnosed with a mental illness. You should check with your state’s department of health to see what they provide and if you qualify.

There are also several phone numbers you can call if you need more immediate help with your mental health.

Approach your employer

Whether your employer provides health insurance or not, they may offer some counseling assistance outside of that. Larger companies sometimes have employee assistance programs that can help with a certain amount of counseling sessions.

Wellness programs are becoming more common in the workplace, and don’t always take the form of fitness programs — some companies even offer incentives for their employees to look after their mental health. Check with the human resources department at your workplace to see what they offer.

Try online counseling

In-person counseling can be a challenge to manage and schedule, especially when taking into account the COVID-19 pandemic. Online therapy can be a viable and affordable alternative.

Online therapy apps and services often charge a lower rate than in-person therapists, and are easier to schedule and attend. Therapy apps like ReGain, TalkSpace, and others can provide therapy for a wide variety of needs.

Inquire at a local college or university

An often overlooked option for those seeking affordable therapy is inquiring at the local college or university. Many schools have students or are studying mental health counseling or psychology and looking to complete an internship before graduating. A student mental health counselor is supervised by an experienced professional, so patients do not receive inferior care, and their rates are often considerably lower.

They also often have a smaller caseload, and so can provide more individualized care, and because they are studying to get their degree, they may have more up-to-date techniques and information that older therapists who are more set in their ways might not employ. Depending on the internship programs at the school, you may even be able to get counseling for free.

Finding the right therapist for you, especially one you can afford to see on a regular basis, can be a challenge for even the most patient. But looking after your mental health, relationships, and general well-being is of paramount importance, and looking for affordable alternatives is worth exploring and could pay off — in more ways than one. 

How to Proceed After Learning of Your Spouse’s Porn Addiction

By Dustin | Help

Finding out that your spouse has been compulsively viewing porn in secret can be devastating.

Whether or not you come from a religious background and object to porn on moral grounds, the pain can be paralyzing.

Now you’re wondering what to do next: ignore it and hope it goes away? Confront them and demand change?

The questions may seem endless and the situation hopeless.

You may even be worried that your marriage is in jeopardy, but don’t give up hope.

Your marriage can survive this challenge, as long as you and your spouse both work together to establish good communication, regain trust, and seek help if the pornography consumption has reached the point of an addiction.

Step 1: Don’t Blame Yourself

The first step is to understand that you aren’t the cause of this problem.

Just because your spouse is viewing pornography does NOT mean they no longer view you as attractive or sexually desirable.

Most of the time, spouses have been dealing with this problem since long before the wedding day.

It has persisted into the marriage not because of any deficit or failing on your part, but because the issue was not properly resolved by the one dealing with it. So don’t blame yourself—you are not at fault.

Step 2: Understand the Danger

Regardless of your personal feelings towards porn, viewing this type of content comes with a host of potential dangers.

First and foremost, it’s addictive in the same way substance abuse is, and may damage the brain.

It causes emotional distance between the user and their intimate relationships. It leads to broader sexual addictions, and often results in increasingly severe infidelity.

In other words, it’s not something you want to encourage, or participate in. It’s a problem that requires a definitive solution.

Step 3: Understand the Addict

Next, understand that your spouse is still a human being, one who was probably exposed when young, and didn’t know how dangerous porn could be.

In many cases, they are incapable of stopping on their own and will need significant support from friends, family, support groups, and (potentially) licensed professionals in order to quit.

Be aware as well that not every addict is prepared yet to do what it takes to change.

Some believe that there’s no problem with what they’re doing, or think of themselves as casual users who can stop anytime.

Some may want to change, but don’t know how to deal with addiction.

Regardless of their disposition, they are trapped by behavior that has become compulsive, trapping them in a painful and unpleasant life.

Step 4: Confronting the Problem

At some point, you’ll have to have the talk.

Try to stay calm, and don’t play prosecutor. Likely, their conscience has already been suffering under the weight of their actions, and they feel a powerful amount of guilt and shame.

Pay attention to how they respond to your evidence.

Do they become angry?

Do they deny using?

Do they become remorseful and apologetic?

Do they understand how much it hurts you?

Make it clear the damage their addiction is inflicting upon you, and your desire to see them overcome the problem. If they try to start an argument, distance yourself from the conversation.

Step 5: Don’t Make Any Rash Decisions

The journey to recovery is a long one, and it’s not typically a smooth ride.

Some addicts are not yet willing to make a change, having rationalized their behavior to themselves.

Even those who are motivated to change often struggle with relapses and hurtful behavior plaguing them for years.

Supporting a loved one who is an addict is not easy, and some decide it’s best to get some distance.

The decision to stay or leave is one that should be made carefully. Don’t make any rash choices in the heat of the moment.

Give yourself time—preferably several months—to thoroughly think it over, so you can do what’s best for everyone involved.

However, if there is abuse, then put your safety and the safety of your children first and leave.

Step 6: Supporting Your Spouse During Recovery

If you chose to support your spouse’s recovery, remember you are their ally in fighting their addiction, not their judge or prison warden.

Here are some tips to make your support more effective:

● Be patient—it takes time to heal the damage addiction does to the brain
● Encourage them to set rules and safeguards to limit access, and help them keep them
● Try to spend quality time together to rekindle your romance
● Try to be non-judgemental when your spouse confesses relapses—it encourages honesty
● Help them find healthy hobbies to fill their time
● Let them come to you in moments of crisis
● Encourage them to seek support groups and professional help, if necessary

Step 7: Supporting Yourself During Recovery

Supporting a recovering addict is very taxing, so remember to take time to engage in self-care on a regular basis.

You will stronger emotionally and a better help to your spouse if you recharge frequently. So whether you’re busy with work, school, or kids, take some time to pursue personal interests, to exercise, to keep a journal, or other self-focused activities. Confide your struggles in a trusted friend, family member, or therapist, and any time you need space find a way to get it.

Recovery for the addict, the spouse, and the relationship is possible.

Your marriage will never be the same, but it can heal and become stronger. If they are willing to change and you are willing to stand beside them, you will discover a deeper love even than before you learned of the addiction.

About the author: Danielle Adams is a freelance writer who works with Lifestar Therapy. She is committed to helping people practice open communication and build healthy relationships.

5 Steps to Try Before Even Considering Divorce

By Dustin | Help

When marriages are going through a rough patch, it can be tempting to feel defeated and consider filing for divorce.

This is especially true when one spouse seems more adamant about calling it quits.

While feelings of hopelessness and despair can start to kick in, it is imperative to know that your marriage can be saved.

Though it may seem necessary in the moment, divorce is a decision that should be made only after you’ve tried everything you can to save your relationship.

Let’s look at 5 different action steps you should take before considering a divorce:

1. Give Each Other Space

Whether the issue is finances, sexual tension, infidelity, or feeling like you’re growing apart, it is imperative to give each other some space.

The two of you have been living together for years, and like many couples who have been married for a while, you get into a rut or routine that can cause what would be non-issues to become problems. Time alone can allow you both the space you need to think, but it can also bring you closer together as absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Giving each other space might mean sleeping in separate rooms or one or the other party moving out or staying with a friend for a while. Be sure that you’re respectful of each other and don’t get tempted to move further away from your marriage.

2. Go to Counseling

Deciding to file for divorce is usually an impulsive decision that was mainly driven by emotion. Many couples deal with issues in the marriage for years but sweep them under the rug into they’ve got a ton of little issues eating away at them.

A marriage counselor can work with the two of you to find out what the underlying cause is for this shift and perhaps give you tools to bring you closer together.

Whether you go on your own (for spouses who don’t want to attend), or your spouse decides to accompany you, therapy can open your eyes to things you weren’t aware of, and provide you with guidance to get through the worst.

3. Go on Vacation

There are times when there are so many distractions in your life that your marriage finds its way to the back burner.

This can cause all types of issues. From feelings of loneliness and abandonment to anger and resentment, it can wreak havoc on the relationship. If you can, take a vacation with just to two of you with no distractions. Get back to focusing on each other and why you fell in love in the first place.

When you get home, those problems may not seem so major.

4. Spend Time with Your Children

Though a divorce will be difficult for you, it will be devastating to your children.  No matter what age they are, it is likely that your kids will begin to feel like it’s something they’ve done.

Sometimes, spending time with your children as a family can improve your mood and make you feel hopeful for a better tomorrow.

5. Talk to a Divorce Attorney

This may come as a surprise for advice, but sometimes, the best way to get a glimpse of reality is to consult a divorce or family attorney such as a firm like Quinn Law.

They can go over what a divorce looks like, what will be required of you, what you may lose, what will happen with your children, how much it could all cost, and more importantly, how long it would take for everything to be finalized. Sometimes, seeing your belongings, finances, and children are divvied up on paper can be the wake-up call you need to push through and work to save your marriage.

If you try each of these things and don’t see improvement in your marriage, then seeking help from a divorce attorney should be your last resort.

Broken families are hard to repair and the aftermath of a divorce can be more than you realize.

So, as you go through difficult times in your marriage, ask yourself whether you’re ready to put yourself and your family through the ringer, or if you want to do the work and rebuild your marriage.