How Can I Get Free Counseling For Depression?
Many people experience depressive symptoms at a time when they also have financial concerns. In such situations, therapy services may feel like a luxury one cannot afford. However, there are options available for those who are looking for free counseling for depression disorders and other mental health conditions.
From free online counseling to interactive treatment options, there are ways to foster and prioritize your mental health on a budget. This article explores free online counseling services and other mental health resources that can help during a mental health crisis or any time you need emotional support.
Interactive online therapy options
The Center for Interactive Mental Health Solutions (CIMHS) is one organization that offers a "free, 8 session interactive program" for those who sign up for it. The program is called Bliss, featuring lessons with worksheets for clients and simulated dialogue with a counselor. To monitor progress, each week one may be asked to take a depression test with questions about the core concepts of the program that is intended for improving mood and overall sense of wellbeing.
This free, interactive therapy program is guided, offering cognitive and behavioral approaches for altering your mindset and alleviating symptoms in the process. It can also be completed at your own pace and time.
CIMHS's free online therapy program incorporates the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) into its interactive lessons. As a form of psychotherapy treatment, CBT has been shown to be highly effective for addressing various mental illnesses, including anxiety and depressive disorders.
In some studies, CBT for depression has also proved to be comparable in effect to medication, though a combined approach may be recommended in some cases. When looking at remission rates, there is also evidence to suggest that people who receive only CBT therapy have more successful outcomes than those who are given medication alone.
The core concepts of CBT
CBT is proven effective for those experiencing depression, anxiety, and other mental illness symptoms. It’s based on the following core concepts:
- Unhelpful thinking patterns (cognitive) are partly responsible for psychological conditions
- Patterns of unhelpful behavior are partly responsible for psychological conditions
CBT also emphasizes one's individual investment and role in addressing their own issues, so that people eventually may "learn to be their own therapists." Accordingly, an interactive therapy program, such as CIMHS', aligns with CBT's principles.
Online CBT counseling services are often recommended by mental health professionals for clients seeking emotional support and free services.
Self-care and depression
Mindfulness as self-care
Mindfulness is often mentioned in connection with counseling for depression, and many trained professionals in mental health integrate it into their practice. Mindfulness mediation has been shown to be helpful in reducing stress and anxiety which may act as triggers for depression.
Exercise as self-care
Local resources and support groups for depression
Depending on where you live, you might be able to find counseling for depression that either offers free or sliding-fee options. A Google search, faith group, community benefits center, or bulletin board in a library or school, may help you locate support group meetings and other resources from local mental health organizations.
You may also wish to seek out a support group. The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), for example, can help you locate a peer group in your area. However, if you live in a remote area or feel uncomfortable joining a support group in person, online options are also available.
Do online counseling services work?
Online counseling is becoming one the of most preferred relay services for mental health care. Many health insurance companies have examined the health claims and extended coverage to online mental health for this reason.
Contact your health insurance company to check your coverage. You might be able to attend online counseling sessions with a licensed professional for free or at a deeply discounted price.
Many people experiencing depression have financial concerns. Online counseling, such as that offered by BetterHelp, offers counseling with licensed therapists. Many of the therapists on BetterHelp employ cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which usually does not take as long as other forms of counseling.
As a subscription service, BetterHelp and other online therapy services offer affordable pricing (compared to in-person therapy) and financial aid options. Counselors can be reached by phone calls, online chat, and video chat. This type of computer therapy may prove especially helpful when you're navigating challenging symptoms and need your counselor to contact you as soon as possible.
Many studies suggest that CBT online therapy is just as effective as in person-therapy. Online CBT is linked with significantly reducing symptoms of those who experience symptoms of depression and anxiety. In addition to CBT, there are also other therapy approaches, such as humanistic therapy or psychodynamic therapy, that are effective and can be done online.
Takeaway
For examples of questions on depression to explore in counseling, please see below.
What are the warning signs of poor mental health?
What is the most treatable mental illness?
What is the new treatment for depression?
- Previous Article
- Next Article