To help cope with the added stress of the ongoing pandemic, we’ve added a section with organizations that are currently providing free Covid-19 counseling and mental health resources.
Counseling or therapy helps you manage caregiving stress
Talking with a counselor or therapist is a shortcut to figuring out how to deal with the stress and emotional conflict that come with being a caregiver.
Instead of struggling on your own, why not talk with an expert who can give you advice and tools to cope with the emotional and physical challenges?
Some people roll their eyes when they hear about therapy. But don’t dismiss it so quickly.
Therapists or counselors are experts who help people deal with negative thinking, stress, depression, anxiety, major life changes, and more.
We explain how therapy helps caregivers, share 4 sources of affordable counseling services, and explain how to find a therapist in your area.
How does therapy help caregivers?
A therapist is a trained listener who won’t judge you.
Their advice is unbiased, everything that’s said is confidential, and you can talk about topics you wouldn’t feel comfortable discussing with your spouse, family, or friends.
They’re especially helpful when you’re struggling with tough decisions like moving your older adult to assisted living or hiring in-home care against their wishes.
4 sources of affordable counseling services
1. Therapists covered by health insurance Many large healthcare organizations offer therapy that’s covered by their insurance plans.
Talk with your doctor to get a referral or call your health insurance provider to see if therapy is a covered service.
2. Free workplace Employee Assistance Programs Many large companies have Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) where counselors help you deal with life changes and other stressful situations.
If you haven’t seen or heard about these programs at your office, check with your Human Resources person. Usually, the company won’t be told who uses these services, so you shouldn’t be afraid to use the help.
3. Low cost or sliding scale therapists Many therapists offer low cost or sliding scale fees. Sliding scale means that they charge people differently based on their financial situation.
Fees range from completely free to around $100. Here are a few options:
Open Path Psychotherapy Collective – affordable, in-office and online psychotherapy sessions between $30 and $60
Network of Care – click the “Mental Health / Behavioral Health” section on the left
4. Free resources for coping with the Covid-19 pandemic
Mental Health America Covid-19 Information and Resources for Caregivers
Talkspace Covid-19 Resources – Free therapist-led Facebook support groups, 16-day anxiety relief program for COVID-19, support and resources from licensed therapists, discounted subscriptions
BetterHelp – one free month of therapy from BetterHelp licensed therapists
Headspace’s Weathering the Storm collection – It includes meditations, sleep, and movement exercises to help you out, however you’re feeling.
NAMI Helpline – HelpLine volunteers answer questions, offer support, and provide practical next steps.
Crisis Text Line – Get free 24/7 support by texting HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor (from the U.S.) and a live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from their secure online platform.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Call 1-800-273-8255 for 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress and prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.
How to find a therapist in your area
If the options above don’t work for you, there are plenty of private pay therapists around.
Click here to visit the Psychology Today website and enter your zip code.
You’ll get a list of therapists in your area. There’s a lot of detail on each therapist, including:
Fees
Degrees and credentials
Areas of practice / specialties
Years of experience
State license number
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By DailyCaring Editorial Team Image: Dr. Susan Goldsmith & Associates
This article wasn’t sponsored and doesn’t contain affiliate links. For more information, see How We Make Money.
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