I am struggling with codependency and depression. I cannot afford therapy. What can I do to get help?

That sounds like a difficult situation. We here on 7 Cups are of course, here to listen. But if you feel you need more, please take the time to explore the resources provided on the site. Additionally, there may be further outreach in your community in places you might not expect. I know at my local college, they provided free counseling services to the community, I went there for a few years myself and found it helpful. These were students who were getting their Masters and PHDs, so they had some prior training. Do you have a similar set up in your community? There may also be support groups in your area. My mom utilized one and it was a big help to her.

If you are not averse to religion or spirituality, seek help at local place of worship. Almost always you will find someone willing to listen to you at the very least. Oftentimes, visiting a church and talking/praying to God relieves your burden. It may be a stopgap, but it may give you time to see things more clearly, and you might find the answer to your questions. While most do not have actual therapy services, some have groups that cater to certain issues like codependence or addiction. Even if the help is religious in nature, it is still valuable and worth the effort.

If you are in the USA, you can look for your county's community mental health center. They offer low sliding-scale fees (even free) based on your income, and they may be able to help you get on Medicaid or some other insurance. The treatment for depression is usually cognitive behavioral therapy (changing the way you think) and sometimes medication such as SSRIs. Codependency issues may be treated similarly, and may get better as your depression gets better. Your primary care provider (look for free clinics or community health centers if you don't have on) should be able to prescribe you some medication. Chatting with someone may also help you.

Personally what has helped me a lot is understanding the psychology and science behind these things - how depression is caused biologically, how it changes your brain and how these changes affect you, what chemicals/hormones come into play and how you can alter them with things like your diet, self care, positive habits etc. A very resourceful thing for me has been a YouTube channel called The School of Life. I would also really suggest self help books that explain how depression and codependency works and how we can work around those things. A therapist can only help you help yourself but there are a ton of other resources that can also do that, maybe not to the same extent but it is a start and I know many people who have improved greatly without any form of therapy - just by finding ways to help themselves.

Codependency and depression are both very valid reasons to seek professional advice. Unfortunately this advice sometimes comes at a great cost- and what are those of us with little expendable income meant to do? My best advice would be to speak to your healthcare provider. In many countries, counselling services may be offered free of charge. If that isn't an option, try speaking with trained listeners that may be able to offer interim support and a listening ear to help ease the weight of mental illness or discomfort.

Try going to codependents anonymous meetings in your area. They are free and will help you see that you are not alone in your struggles. I tried it when I needed it most and it helped me get past my struggles faster because of seeing others in similar struggles. It is easier when you know you are not alone. There are also groups for depression. You only have to go to as many as you feel you need. The structure is a non-judgmental environment where you can speak honestly about your current struggle and hear from others who have succeeded in getting past their own struggles.

there are some insurance companies out there that can help fund with mental/behavioural services which might come in handy depending on the situation. There are also a bunch of helpful helplines out there that you can find on the online web. If any of those options dont work the best you can do is to try your best to coop with it yourself either by doing yoga going for a jog ect. Knowing when you feel down or having anxiety may also help, knowing when you feel this way can help alot so that you know when to coop with them of course its not going to happen in one day it can take some practice. Lastly if you have a pcp or a doctor that you see they can also be a great help on how to handle this types of situations.

Hi; I'm FrostWire and welcome to 7 Cups where you questions matter. So, your struggling with codependent depression? An you also say you cannot afford therapy and your wanting to know how to really get help? To be honest as the chill outside of my comfort zone; there's a problem we need to address first isn't it? You said you can't afford therapy, and here at 7 cups.com we don't charge you any money to help with your questions.. So is that time that you've used sufficient enough payment to us is the best question, well; I think we can both agree huh? I believe that with time an effort you can manipulate your situation into codependency and out of depression. Our hand book here has key subjects that can help you form a decent follow up as you approach your goal. Depression can be something easy for someone else to say: snap out of it friend, but here we know an better understand the reason for forms of depression. If you still need help with your questions on codependency and depression. I'd be glad to help and even support you during your recovery efforts. We must always; no one said it was going to be easy, but know said it would be so hard either..So when we look at ourselves can we see Different than what some others actually see? Thanks for bringing your question to 7 Cups.com, I'm FrostWire; your friendly supporting listener and I hope that we have served a purpose greater than we know.. rite here at 7 cups.com...

The therapists here at 7 cups are a free service, for one thing. Although some people believe that therapists are helpful, I've not had a very good experience with therapy. I have been able to help myself way more than any therapist can claim to have done for me. If you can't afford one, I can almost guarantee that you can do better without one. There are youtube videos that are like mini therapist sessions. I personally watched a course on self-help. It was on Occupational Therapy learning type course, way cheaper than a therapist and way more informative and helpful.

You should probably reach out for help to your family of friends in that case. Therapy could be probably very useful but as long as you are not able to afford it you should probably at least try to get help from your closest circle. And also, if you feel that you are able to do it, you can try to earn some money to afford the therapy. Of course if you are fine with such activity. And please, do not be harsh on yourself. Try these things and let me know if they are working out for you! :)