Guest guest Posted June 12, 2011 Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 I'm finally on my own!! And with that, it also means financial independence. I have my own job, but it doesn't pay too much. Being away from home and nada and fada has helped my emotional state tremendously, but of course, as seen by the existence of this group, the ripple effects from home don't just end. I really want to get some extra help in learning how to deal with nada/fada and past emotional baggage, but I don't know if I can afford therapy. On top of paying for rent, my own insurance, groceries, the basics, etc, it just won't be possible. Has anyone tried alternatives to therapy, such as support groups or workbooks? Has anyone been in a similar position where therapy was just too expensive but found something else that works? I know ideally I would be in long-term therapy, but I really don't think I can afford seeing a therapist more than once/month. I'm not sure if it's worth it to go so infrequently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2011 Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 I don't know if you're in school, but when I was, the school let me go to the school counseling center every two weeks for free. There's also some places that offer sliding scale--the center I go to now is part of a church, though all the counselors are obviously MSW or similar. They offer sliding scales. So check around and see if there's any counseling centers that will offer sliding scale assistance based on your income. Also, depending on if you've got a full time job, some workplaces offer free counseling (doesn't have to be work related). Even if you could go only once a month, it would still definitely be worth it. > > > I'm finally on my own!! And with that, it also means financial > independence. I have my own job, but it doesn't pay too much. Being away > from home and nada and fada has helped my emotional state tremendously, but > of course, as seen by the existence of this group, the ripple effects from > home don't just end. > > I really want to get some extra help in learning how to deal with nada/fada > and past emotional baggage, but I don't know if I can afford therapy. On top > of paying for rent, my own insurance, groceries, the basics, etc, it just > won't be possible. > > Has anyone tried alternatives to therapy, such as support groups or > workbooks? Has anyone been in a similar position where therapy was just too > expensive but found something else that works? > > I know ideally I would be in long-term therapy, but I really don't think I > can afford seeing a therapist more than once/month. I'm not sure if it's > worth it to go so infrequently. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 Check what your insurance benefits are. If you're in school, check out their counseling center. Check out local hotlines to see if the organizations behind them offer group therapy or free short-term counseling. See if you can work out a payment plan with a therapist (perhaps one you have a prior/good relationship with). Check out what your state offers (ex, in MA there's mandatory insurance--state-provided or subsidized if neccesary--that includes mental heath benefits). Good luck!!! -Maia > > > > > > > I'm finally on my own!! And with that, it also means financial > > independence. I have my own job, but it doesn't pay too much. Being away > > from home and nada and fada has helped my emotional state tremendously, but > > of course, as seen by the existence of this group, the ripple effects from > > home don't just end. > > > > I really want to get some extra help in learning how to deal with nada/fada > > and past emotional baggage, but I don't know if I can afford therapy. On top > > of paying for rent, my own insurance, groceries, the basics, etc, it just > > won't be possible. > > > > Has anyone tried alternatives to therapy, such as support groups or > > workbooks? Has anyone been in a similar position where therapy was just too > > expensive but found something else that works? > > > > I know ideally I would be in long-term therapy, but I really don't think I > > can afford seeing a therapist more than once/month. I'm not sure if it's > > worth it to go so infrequently. > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 I think ACOA (adult children of alcoholics) is helpful...in open meetings in the past they have been accepting of people with non-addicted parents who are just odd, or pd. I relate better in these than al-anon. They are twelve step like Coda (codependents anonymous) but the extent to which you utilize the steps is up to you, you will still probably find some help. Most meetings ask for a small donation like a dollar or two and pass a basket at the end. I just found a sliding scale therapy place here in town. I really thought it was hopeless but I got so overwhelmed one day i just decided to call and ask and they did do sliding scale or income based so it costs me 20 dollars a session. The normal price is a hundred and twenty dollars. So I guess it is a good thing I am broke. I am finding the therapy to be extremely helpful, just to have someone on my side. it's amazing. As far as twelve step groups, they can vary pretty drastically based on who is in the room and the basic group feel, so if you feel shamed or don't feel supported with your issues I wouldn't waste your time and just keep looking until you find a support group that is helpful. > > I'm finally on my own!! And with that, it also means financial independence. I have my own job, but it doesn't pay too much. Being away from home and nada and fada has helped my emotional state tremendously, but of course, as seen by the existence of this group, the ripple effects from home don't just end. > > I really want to get some extra help in learning how to deal with nada/fada and past emotional baggage, but I don't know if I can afford therapy. On top of paying for rent, my own insurance, groceries, the basics, etc, it just won't be possible. > > Has anyone tried alternatives to therapy, such as support groups or workbooks? Has anyone been in a similar position where therapy was just too expensive but found something else that works? > > I know ideally I would be in long-term therapy, but I really don't think I can afford seeing a therapist more than once/month. I'm not sure if it's worth it to go so infrequently. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 We don't have CODA in my immediate area, nor do we have groups for Adult Children of Alcoholics. Alanon fellowships are typically considered to be Family Groups. This means, I've found some wonderful inspiration in Alanon, by working my own recovery from growing up in a traumatic household, when I listen to members that WOULD easily qualify for ACoA. If you look around, you too are likely to find a few Al-anon groups that have a lot of depth and breadth of experience really understand the " dry " drunk, a person like nada or fada, who is personality disordered. New Life, you might tell the groups that you are a child of a dry drunk and you will be quite welcome. That is what I have done, and no one has ever implied that I don't have a welcome place at their tables. I have been a welcome participant in all the groups I've attended in my area. I also can qualify because my nada's father was an active alcoholic, though I never met him. Alcoholics function very much like a person with BPD. Most Alanon groups would agree that this is a family dis-ease and it's cognitive side effects can skip generations! I have gotten very comfortable sharing what I am working on with my nada, in these meetings. In my shares I will refer to nada as " my dry drunk. " There is one piece of literature that will definitely get you started, and again, I can share that with you privately. If you were to buy that literature and use it for your own recovery I don't think anyone would question whether you " qualify " to belong to an Al-anon fellowship. I have found that it is very easy to adapt Alanon material to fit our situations. In fact, if you are interested in checking it out, I can share my blog site, where I adapt to fit my own recovery needs, which don't otherwise involve an active alcoholic. I am so glad for these twelve step fellowships, as an inexpensive way to systematically build emotional wellness that can withstand the emotional onslaught of a person with BPD. Best, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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