**Due to the unpredictabillty of life, I do not take apointments. I am usually online between 9-12 p.m. EST and I pop on randomly to check messages or if I have a free block of time. If you need something reliable, regular, and guaranteed, I'm afraid I can't take that on because I would feel horrible if something prevented me from keeping an appointment**

I am an adult female, and I was a teacher at a boarding high school (so lots of experience with teens and young adults). I have a degree in sociology with a minor in psychology. I am married and I have a school-aged daughter. I have lived with depression and anxiety my whole life, had post-natal syndrome (postpartum depression and anxiety), and have been through almost every treatment there is. I can offer anecdotal information about what I've found helpful, I can listen to what's on your mind, and I appreciate a good conversation if you're legitimately lonely or anxious (not just bored) and need a friend. My schedule is often whacky, so I keep irregular hours. If I can't be online to chat some days, I do check messages and reply. 

I don't like to have multiple conversations going at the same time. In rare circumstances I may reach out to someone while I'm already chatting, but I still maintain an excellent response time. If I am busy and you'd like to leave a message, that would be fine, but it is possible that the person I'm working with will take up all my available time for the day/night. I'm not ignoring you-- I'm trying to give the best possible support which, to me, means minimizing multi-tasking and staying with a person as long as he/she needs. 

Please do not expect me to solve your problems . That is not something I can do. I do my best to HELP and SUGGEST, but I cannot SOLVE. I do not get paid for my time on this site; I am here because I want to help as best I can, but it is impossible to tell a stranger what to do in any given situation (unless it's life-threatening, in which case I will tell you to call Emergency Services, because I am not trained in crisis counseling). I will do my very best to get you to a better place, emotionally, but it really hinges on good faith and cooperation.   

Please, if you're not serious about having a conversation because you need emotional support, I would appreciate it if you found another listener. I'm here for people who are in true need of support. I am judicious with the Block button, so if you're hoping to say creepy things, you will be blocked immediately. LIsteners never know what to expect when they take general requests, and sometimes people can get frightening or abusive. Thank you for respecting my time and the time of other people who may need immediate help.