There are experienced therapists who take insurance.

You can talk to a social worker who is a therapist. Doesn’t have to be psychotherapist.

Talk to your primary for help

I’m sorry. It is so hard and so expensive.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Consider searching Psychology Today for more far-flung therapists in your state who do virtual therapy. There are lots of highly experienced therapists with open books outside the immediate DMV.

Psychology today does not properly update their provider list and it’s a complete waste of time. I spent probably a total of 10 hours looking for a therapist through their directory. Every single provider I contacted either 1. wasn’t taking new patients even though psychology today said they were. 2. Didn’t take my insurance, even though psychology today said they did. 3.Only did virtual even though psychology today said they did in person. 4. Simply never responded.

Useless.

I sympathize—it’s definitely hard, and needs to be cross referenced through your insurance provider directory. But I found a great in network therapist who files with my insurance that way, so mileage may vary. It’s hard because therapy requires a more precise fit of personality and economics than, say, finding a cardiologist who accepts your insurance.

Another option, OP, is to look at larger counseling practices in various areas, since they often tend to accept insurance and have a variety of providers to choose from. If you can’t find anyone in your immediate area, look further out for virtual services (ie if you live in Arlington, try Leesburg, Fredericksburg, etc).

Anonymous wrote:Consider searching Psychology Today for more far-flung therapists in your state who do virtual therapy. There are lots of highly experienced therapists with open books outside the immediate DMV.

Psychology today does not properly update their provider list and it’s a complete waste of time. I spent probably a total of 10 hours looking for a therapist through their directory. Every single provider I contacted either 1. wasn’t taking new patients even though psychology today said they were. 2. Didn’t take my insurance, even though psychology today said they did. 3.Only did virtual even though psychology today said they did in person. 4. Simply never responded.

Useless.

It really is! I roll my eyes when people suggest therapy to everyone for everything - it's not that easy.

However, you may be able to find an experienced therapist like my spouse. They recently joined Headway and take almost all insurance (it's their side job so they don't feel the need to charge as much as some). They also have operated on a sliding scale in the past. Hope you find a good therapist at a reasonable cost.

Consider searching Psychology Today for more far-flung therapists in your state who do virtual therapy. There are lots of highly experienced therapists with open books outside the immediate DMV.

Anonymous wrote:As someone already said, books help. You can also follow therapy experts on social media. It’s been very helpful for me. You mentioned childhood trauma. Nedra Taiwan could be helpful. She’s great with advice for family issues.

Actual name is Nedra Glover Tawwab.

Anonymous wrote:I feel y. But therapy isn’t forever.

Seems like it. I’ve been in therapy for 25 years. Yes, it’s expensive. Have you tried online? Maybe those are cheaper?

Seconding ChatGPT... Amazingly helpful and detailed insights. You can also check if any of it's replies to you are hallucinations or whether it is just yes manning you by asking ChatGPT itself.. it replies honestly.. loved it..
Also, knowing the hate for outsourcing, hesitant to recommend, but something you might find useful is a therapist in Mumbai/ Pune/other metros in India.. I have a recommendation for someone from Goa. He was very good, but too expensive for me when I was in India, so couldn't continue with him. But now that I am in the US it literally translates to about 38 dollars per session and doesn't seem too expensive. His English is much better than mine, so language probably won't be an issue.
Also, sometimes we need meds to be more receptive to the therapy.. check in with a good psychiatrist at least once to get some input.
Good luck

Yes chat gpt for therapy. It is surprisingly helpful.

I paid out of pocket for therapy for three years as I was working through big feelings around my child’s disabilities (and work stuff and mom stuff and relationship stuff). I went biweekly to save money. My therapist also kindly offered a discount on her usual rate so I was only paying $160 per session instead of $200. I stopped at one point 1.5-2 years in because I thought I was better, but when I stopped I also scheduled a check in appt for 3 months down the road. Good thing it was already on the books because some crazy stuff happened in the interim and I needed to start up therapy again. By the end, I learned some invaluable tools for pausing and making space for me to feel and process my emotions as they come up. It has made weathering the emotional ups and downs of the last few years of the Trump administration possible, esp as a (former) federal employee.

Working with the right therapist for me (personality and modality matter a lot!) was w one of the best investments. The non insurance therapists can be better because they take fewer clients and have more bandwidth than ones that take insurance.

I also found I was doing so much emotionally driven spending and eating that therapy helped me to save money in other areas. I personally would prioritize my mental health over saving for college, going on vacation, eating out, drinking, house projects, decorating, kids activities, etc. if I fall apart, the whole ship falls apart and my needs matter too. Mental healthcare is a necessity. Not a luxury.

As someone already said, books help. You can also follow therapy experts on social media. It’s been very helpful for me. You mentioned childhood trauma. Nedra Taiwan could be helpful. She’s great with advice for family issues.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Try grow therapy, they match you based on insurance.

https://growtherapy.com/start/find-therapist-nb/

That is how I found the therapists I didn't like very much.

Well, beggars can’t be choosers

wow. You win the award for one of the most useless and insensitive comments on DCUM ever. What a f-in jerk you are.

Maxing out an FSA if your employer offers one can help mitigate the cost at least.

Anonymous wrote:Therapy is a racket- most of the time. Talk to a friend or relative. Buy a cat.

Wow, thanks! I'm cured!