Help, Advice, Tips

[Inwardly_Broken]

So I'm seriously considering therapy. The problem is that I go to college in a real small town. The therapy center that I would like to go to is just shy of 2 hours away. The town it is located in is one of the closest "larger" towns nearby that offer these services. But that is roughly $35 in gas and 4 hours a week simply just traveling to and from. Do you guys think it would be worth it? I'm a poor college student and I could make it work if I put myself on a real strict budget. I guess I am just unsure. I can see the pros and cons of each decision that could be made.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I think you should at the very least give it a try. It could turn out to be a very good thing for you, but you'll never know unless you give it a shot. That's kind of my new motto in life...give things a go and if they don't work out, at least you know, right? It's better than second guessing yourself later on down the line, kicking yourself for giving up a possible opportunity. I think that sometimes we get so wrapped up in the long term picture that we don't break down something into the here and now. Yes, it's important to think ahead due to time and money constraints, but for now just focus on what is important. Making that first appointment, meeting with the therapist, and seeing if it's a good fit. Once you've determined that you want to go in this direction, worry more about buckling down with the money thing. I think that if you break it down into smaller chunks like this, it will all seem less overwhelming. Good Luck!

 

[Inwardly_Broken]

ScaredOfLonely... Thank you :) That's what I was thinking. Go for a session or two and then make a decision.

Here's another thing I need help, advice, tips, opinions on...
The place that I found does not charge (it's a Christian therapy center) but asks for each individual person to pay as much as they want. I hope yall don't mind me asking this, but how much do you pay for a single session? Or what is the common rate?

 

[Smushroom]

Common rate for 1 hour here in Aus is $150-$170 per hour to see a Psychologist, or around $60- $80 for a counsellor

 

[Inwardly_Broken]

Awesome, thanks Smushroom!

 

[MomOfTwo]

Some of them will have a sliding scale for those that have budget constraints. It is something you could ask even though it is a bit uncomfortable. Good luck with your therapy.

 

[Inwardly_Broken]

MomOfTwo... I did not know that, I'll check into that as well :)

 

[TeaLeaf]

There are no therapy places to go in your small college town? There may not be but I thought I should ask since I went to college in a small town of 5,000 and there were multiple places to attend counseling and most of them charged a sliding scale fee. Not sure if you were going to a place that did a specific type of counseling or served your specific need.

If you need to drive, I would try to go to the place a few hours away even though it will be somewhat of a strain on your budget. I agree with the other poster that that said you won't know unless you try. I would give it a few months though to see a change though only give it a session or two if you don't like the therapist or think it is going to be a bad fit.

Therapy has been life changing for me and I hate to think of where I would be had I not started. I started when I was a poor college student as well and the $40 I spent per session was a lot of money for me then but it has been so helpful and paid such dividends in quality of life over the years.

 

[Ricanoland]

As much as Therapy hasn't really helped, I am still glad I tried, and I will make sure I keep trying. I believe that you should give it a shot, knowing how much time and struggle you will have to go through to get there will only prove to yourself you mean it when you say you want help, it will help you even more knowing you are going beyond the extra mile.

 

[Chosen]

Your college should have a counseling center too. Most of them do nowadays. There will be session limits, but it's typically free for students. Something for you to think about.

 

[saffy]

There is no real price on good therapy if you are getting something positive out of it then that is priceless. If you have already budgeted for it then you must at least try. You might find that it is well worth it or you can recognise early that it will not with that therapist and look for someone else.

I hope you find the therapy you wish for :)

best wishes
saffy :)

 

[Inwardly_Broken]

Thank you everyone! Your input is real helpful and taken to heart. The college I go to does offer services if only you have been diagnosed with some kind of learning disorder or are a risk to yourself and others. I have not been officially diagnosed with anything and I am not a danger to myself or others so I do not qualify. Again, thanks everybody for your advice! I will contact them and get the ball rolling :) Kind of nervous, not going to lie.