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maug



Registered: 11/28/10
Posts: 1,703
Loc: inside you
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Free therapy resources in USA?
#18823931 - 09/10/13 03:33 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Say I don't have insurance or extra money... A phone line isn't much good either for me, because that just eats up minutes. Maybe an online text chat?
-------------------- I think nighttime is dark so you can imagine your fears with less distraction. -Calvin and Hobbes
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Spacerific
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Registered: 10/13/12
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Re: Free therapy resources in USA? [Re: maug]
#18832311 - 09/12/13 12:46 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Therapy for what? Zee Germans? 
Learn to download and google my friend, skills that will serve you for a lifetime
-------------------- Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. - Matthew 13:16
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MarkostheGnostic
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Re: Free therapy resources in USA? [Re: maug]
#18834583 - 09/12/13 09:55 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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I'm not a big fan of 'distance counseling,' but prefer face-to-face sessions. I don't know where you are, but most therapists do provide a certain amount of pro bono, of course that's truly for those who really are in need, not simply trying to get something of value for free. Usually, sliding fee services are available from university counseling agencies that use graduate students. I've gone to recent medical school graduates during their internship when I was in grad school. Same deal. I've seen minors, students of mine who showed up at my home in crisis. I didn't expect to be paid, and my license protected me from seeing a minor without parental permission. Most people in a helping professional will help you directly or send you in the right direction.
-------------------- γνῶθι σαὐτόν - Gnothi Seauton - Know Thyself
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teknix
𓂀⟁𓅢𓍝𓅃𓊰𓉡 𓁼𓆗⨻



Registered: 09/16/08
Posts: 11,953
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Re: Free therapy resources in USA? [Re: maug]
#18835149 - 09/13/13 12:15 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
maug said: Say I don't have insurance or extra money... A phone line isn't much good either for me, because that just eats up minutes. Maybe an online text chat?
One interesting thing is that you may already have the solution.
Ask yourself this, "If a miracle happened and everything was better, what is the first thing you would notice the day you woke up to let you know the miracle happened?" What would have changed or be different?
Look for the brightspot, and do more of it, rather than focusing on what is wrong.
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Spacerific
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Re: Free therapy resources in USA? [Re: teknix]
#18835349 - 09/13/13 01:19 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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On reading the OP a second time, I can't help noticing the rather half-assed nature of the request. Something like, could a well trained highly paid therapist see me on my own terms, on a freaking text chat, for free, for a condition which I couldn't be bothered to even mention or hint at?
Just having a hard time taking this seriously, the way it's currently formulated
-------------------- Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. - Matthew 13:16
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maug



Registered: 11/28/10
Posts: 1,703
Loc: inside you
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Re: Free therapy resources in USA? [Re: Spacerific]
#18838464 - 09/13/13 07:55 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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I'm not looking for something of value for free. I'm not that kind of person. For example I could use EBT, but I would never unless I had to take care of a kid. I wasn't aiming for the half-assed tone. I just didn't want to tell my whole life's story online to random people.
-------------------- I think nighttime is dark so you can imagine your fears with less distraction. -Calvin and Hobbes
Edited by maug (09/22/13 07:08 AM)
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MarkostheGnostic
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Re: Free therapy resources in USA? [Re: maug]
#18839720 - 09/14/13 01:11 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Would you go to a free surgeon if you needed surgery?
-------------------- γνῶθι σαὐτόν - Gnothi Seauton - Know Thyself
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nooneman


Registered: 04/24/09
Posts: 14,561
Loc: Utah
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Re: Free therapy resources in USA? [Re: maug]
#18839923 - 09/14/13 02:51 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
MarkostheGnostic said: Would you go to a free surgeon if you needed surgery?
To be fair, people go to free surgeons every day all around the world.
But, yeah, there's no such thing as free online therapy. Sorry OP.
Edited by nooneman (09/14/13 02:53 AM)
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CosmicJoke
happy mutant


Registered: 04/05/00
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Re: Free therapy resources in USA? [Re: nooneman]
#18840019 - 09/14/13 03:45 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
nooneman said:
Quote:
MarkostheGnostic said: Would you go to a free surgeon if you needed surgery?
To be fair, people go to free surgeons every day all around the world.
But, yeah, there's no such thing as free online therapy. Sorry OP.
Given the ultimatum, I think I'd opt for an amateur therapist before an amateur surgeon myself
-------------------- Everything is better than it was the last time. I'm good. If we could look into each others hearts, and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care. It takes a lot of courage to go out there and radiate your essence. I know you scared, you should ask us if we scared too. If you was there, and we just knew you cared too.
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Spacerific
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Re: Free therapy resources in USA? [Re: CosmicJoke]
#18840602 - 09/14/13 10:22 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Well at least now we know what's going on a bit, so that's 
I myself never saw much use for therapists, always found way more help in things like self improvement videos/audiobooks, and direct learning from psychedelic trips. On the first part, I'd recommend Dr.Paul's MindOS, Paul McKenna (amazing mind-boggling stuff that guy does with hypnosis) and on the second I'd say and Ayahuasca helped me the most. If you can score a few aya ceremonies or peyote sweat lodges (with people who know what they're doing, obviously) I'd venture a guess that will help you way more with depression and drug addictions, than say, chatting to some cheapo therapist online. Which as we found out isn't even an option. Also I consider PUA material to be useful as well, as it goes over your identity, taking care of your fitness levels to some extent, how you model your reality and what kind of self-talk you give yourself, etc. Plenty of free RSD videos on youtube, ready for the taking. RSD Julien for instance is my favorite. Check some of them out at least.
Sean Stephenson is IMO a goldmine when it comes to getting back on top of things. Whatever crap you may be going through, I bet you're not a wheelchair-bound midget with extremely fragile bones, so that dude really takes out all the wind from the self-pity and self-defeating talk your brain might be feeding you every now and then.
Depends on what you consider free therapy. Plenty of good stuff out there, but you won't find it under the name therapy. What do you actually want to do? If it's live well, be happy and effective and find a new awesome relationship, then yes, there is free help for all of the above. The info is out there waiting for you.
The molecular help is there as well, and not in expensive pharma pills.
Have you done the completely free googling that's required to at least find out your closest options, for peyote or aya ceremonies? Nothing like finding out months and years from now that hey, there were 2-3 active groups in a 50 miles radius from where you live, but you never bothered to actually google and search for 'em 
My Aya group is about 1,000 miles from where I live. Either by plane or bus it takes me 1-2 days to get there, what with connecting flights and such. Still very much worth it, compared to the therapeutic value it brings. It's very reassuring to know that if shit hits the fan, the worst I can look forward to is I'll feel shitty enough that I'll need to make another Aya trip, which WILL definitely help with most things, get me closer to balance again. I do the Aya since I'm in Europe, I'd probably do Peyote if I were in the US. What's your distance? Might in fact be much smaller and cheaper to cross than my thousand miles. Even if you can't do it right now, you'll have a definite goal to work towards, not years of feeling like crap in front of you.
There is a solution. Make the journey. It does help
-------------------- Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. - Matthew 13:16
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maug



Registered: 11/28/10
Posts: 1,703
Loc: inside you
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Re: Free therapy resources in USA? [Re: Spacerific]
#18842327 - 09/14/13 08:17 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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That's neat that psychedelics help you and all, but they don't help me. I rarely really trip or get disorientated even at huge doses, and they make me feel suicidal for long periods of time afterwards. One too many times where one part of me things "Ignore the effects of this terrible drug. The peak will be over in 2 hours." And the other part tells me to cut into my arms as deep as I can. If you give psychedelics to a crazy person, you have a crazy person on psychedelics. No more, no less.
Had some pure mdma and that was the worst so far. Took 2 hits, and didn't feel anything until 4 hours in on an empty stomach. But I kinda think that was because I started chain-smoking bowls of salvia and hash at the 4 hour mark. Prior to the 4 hours I felt like a drunk + adrenaline. Less than 5 minutes after the salvia peak I went home, and couldn't talk to anyone for 3-7 days, because I didn't want to take my bad day out on anyone.
I got nothing but a body high from dmt, even though I smoked it until I blacked out. Smoke > nothing > second hit > black out for 15 seconds > sit for additional 15 seconds > stand up and stretch > say thanks for the free DMT. Residual effects amplified to 30 minutes by smoking more hash and salvia. I was told to try ayahuasca, because I hear some some people produce a lot more mao than others. I'm more or less conscious during seizures too (aware of myself, but vision and perception of surroundings dim).
Still plan to try aya and mescal, whenever serendipity allows. But it's not like this is a "Oh, I know what we need here. I'll be back in 30 minutes with the groceries."
I'm putting a hold on my internet studies for now too. I have other things to focus on that will help more, like getting a job. I just finished an ocw course on human behavioral biology. It's a fun topic to study. I kinda like hard science a little too much to like a lot of self help stuff.
-------------------- I think nighttime is dark so you can imagine your fears with less distraction. -Calvin and Hobbes
Edited by maug (09/15/13 01:36 PM)
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MarkostheGnostic
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Re: Free therapy resources in USA? [Re: maug]
#18844970 - 09/15/13 03:12 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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I don't know why you continue to use drugs in a compulsive way, when you indicate that you are suffering with depression, and with possible psychotic features no less (like self-mutilation) .  What's up with those behaviors? You even say that "getting a job," i.e., getting grounded on a survival chakra level, is what will be the best thing. Why not follow your own best advice? The expression 'spinning your wheels' applies here. When you get your car stuck in a snow bank, spinning your wheels can just dig you in deeper. You have to change your strategy to free yourself. I remember reading that someone spun their wheels so much, the tire exploded killing someone! It seems a good metaphor for failing to stop a futile and self-destructive process before it's too late. I think this is very insightful: "If you give psychedelics to a crazy person, you have a crazy person on psychedelics. No more, no less." 'If the shoe fits, wear it.'
Self-help techniques can work under some conditions, but often one still needs a helping hand. Initiation happens on all kind of levels in life. I went through analysis in order to learn how to analyze my own dreams. I took Yoga classes before I began to do it myself.
-------------------- γνῶθι σαὐτόν - Gnothi Seauton - Know Thyself
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maug



Registered: 11/28/10
Posts: 1,703
Loc: inside you
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That didn't happen though. I was able to maintain composure during that mushroom trip (+/-85g fresh). Just thoughts, I can deal with that. I decided not to ever kill myself a pretty long time ago, and I trust that I won't. It's mainly just a hard/annoying feeling to swallow. Based on my experiences, that's why I'm not looking to psychedelics as a solution for anything - despite the recommendation.
-------------------- I think nighttime is dark so you can imagine your fears with less distraction. -Calvin and Hobbes
Edited by maug (09/22/13 07:08 AM)
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Spacerific
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Re: Free therapy resources in USA? [Re: maug]
#18847510 - 09/16/13 02:54 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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I'm with you on that one, getting a job or in fact any kind of new constructive action, will likely be better for you on the long run, than sitting at home reading a book. Sharpening the saw is all well and good, but at some point you have to actually start cutting. Good luck on the job search
-------------------- Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. - Matthew 13:16
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MarkostheGnostic
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Re: Free therapy resources in USA? [Re: maug]
#18848636 - 09/16/13 11:27 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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I think when psychology drifts from science, it's only trick in the book is to ask people to conform. Not what I'm looking for either.
Edit: Hm... Me doctors trip from 2012 showed .503 tsh. I'll bring it up next check up. That might make sense. I think the last time I ate a vegetable was when I was 4 or so.
The first statement is wrong. There is no entity "psychology," and the philosophies of various practitioners is extremely varied. I am a licensed and board certified mental health professional, and I am not exactly a conformist in any robotic sense. I do conform to social norms of courtesy however. But I am not a materialist in that everything, including human behavior is reducible to chemistry and physics as an ultimate reality. Molecules and energy are themselves derivative of something more primal.
The second statement is unintelligible except for not eating vegetables. I don't understand how anyone could not eat a balanced diet and maintain mental and physical health. My cousin refused to eat his vegetables at age 4 as I recall, gagging and whatever, and he developed undiagnosed congestive heart failure. He was treated for a bronchial cough and when they realized what he actually had, and put the formerly big, strapping guy on an operating table for a quadruple bypass, he died on the table at age 41.
I live on a plant-based diet, and I'm just now getting off a strict 100% oil-free vegan diet (Caldwell Eselstyne, MD). I'm taking some eggs and sardines, but no mammal foods. I lost 14 lbs. of flab around my middle, facial puffiness vanished, my joints feel normal again, and my mind is clear and tranquil. Of course, I never ate any more meat than one 90% lean beef burger a week for years (after cutting the grass). Diet has a LOT to do with one's psychophysical health. Drug addiction on top of poor diet? I'm already hearing subtle suicidal ideation, intended or not.
If you do read another book, I recommend The Power of Now, and study Tolle's notion of 'The Pain Body.' Of course, not everyone actually wants to alleviate suffering. Some people voluntarily enter into Hell Realms, as the Buddhist metaphor goes. I have asked to help someone with a symptom, and he wanted to keep the symptom, a limp, because to have it removed would be to divest him of his sick identity as "a wounded Vietnam war veteran!" I've encountered someone who didn't want to lose a stutter, because it helped to push people away and he had social phobia and intimacy issues. You've got to decide if you want to be whole/healthy or not, that is, whether to live or die, and if it's to live, than wholeness/health speaks the truth about that choice. Self-destructive behaviors simply says that the choice is death. Truth is simple. Actions speak the truth more clearly than words. Words can lie.
-------------------- γνῶθι σαὐτόν - Gnothi Seauton - Know Thyself
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