Need Urgent Help with finding a therapist.

[ElMmSM]

I started seeing a College Counselor and I told her about my hyperventilation and what not, which she said were panic attacks. I went because they had started interfering with my college work, and the college was able to help me out but the Students with Disabilities department wanted me to see an actually Psychologist to prescribe me medication which I was totally against, but did agree to go see one.

I saw one near my home, but she said she would not see me because I was already seeing the school counselor and I also needed a physical exam for her to be able to see. She also said she was booked with people already.

After that they dropped the psychologist thing because I really did not want to be on meds. It scared the crap out of me. So then the counselor started doing cognitive therapy and I felt it did wonders for me. I felt I made progress, although my panic attacks began to pop up out of the blue with no trigger.

And since I went to get help so late in the semester, the counselor could only see me for the remaining 3 weeks of the semester, which ended this past week.

Now Im starting to worry if I can continue making progress on my own, so I want to try and find a therapist or some group therapy thing.

The problem is I can't find a group therapy in my city at all.

Second, I also have no insurance, and I've looked around and I can't afford any of the ones I have come across in my area.

I really want to find a therapist because I'm so worried my panic attacks won't be controlled by the time the new semester starts and I know I ended this past semester with hope that the next would be better and I don't want to lose that hope and drive.

So I'm asking what can I do? What health insurance can I get if I'm 19, a fulltime college student and unemployed and still live with my parents?

I would greatly appreciate anything helpful because I don't want to lose this small progress I've made so far.

 

[luminum]

If you still can, have you tried contacting your counselor to see if she has any people she can recommend you to based on her sessions with you? She would be the best source as she knows what worked for you and would most likely know those therapists who practice the same type of approach.

If not, try calling your local crisis line. Most lines handle referrals for services as well as crises and would be happy to listen to your situation and look up psychological services based on your needs or at the very least direct you to another agency that could help you narrow down your options.

 

[tonyboy]

I don't know about Palmdale, but CA is a state with many government funded programs..
Check out the blue pages, or the government sections of the net or phone book.

Look under mental health/ or health services.

Just start checking and calling. I'm sure you will find a free place to help you out or at least they will give you a recommendation.

 

[ElMmSM]

She did give me a list of places to call.

But most of them seemed to be for rehabilitation centers and suicide.

 

[ElMmSM]

I'm going through depression, but I don't want to take medication.

 

[luminum]

It's understandable that you're wary of your medications, and could be for several reasons.

Is it because of any side effects of the medication? Are you afraid of becoming dependent? Does the idea of using mood-altering medication just make you uncomfortable?

I generally believe that it's good to take the medication you've been prescribed, especially if you noticed that it works well for you when you do. But I do understand the apprehensions people have. Are the ones I mentioned at all accurate? Is it something else?

As for your questions about insurance, you may be applicable for Medicaid. At your age, you may also be eligible for case management with someone who could help you seek out options like Medicaid or therapy. Really look into some youth services in your area.

 

[ElMmSM]

Its the dependency. I'm afraid I would. Everyone in my family at one point or another has been addicted to something. All my uncles are alcoholics.

I also have a huge fear of taking pills. I don't like it, it really does scare the crap out of me.