Topic: depression

Question: I'm very depressed?
I'm very depressed. How do I find someone to talk to?

Answer (from Dr Traci KochendorferTime for you to " Claim IT" with over 15 years in health and wellness, Ph.D Psy.D D.D. F.P.L.C. recognized on TV and Magazines,):
Silly you took the first step to "claim it"  you are by posting on here.  All of us are here to help.

Answer (from Audrey ONealBi-lingual Psychotherapist and HeartMath Certified Practitioner):
It is to your credit that you reached out for help on this platform. How to find someone to talk to would depend upon your lifestyle and worldview. Many people reach out to their faith community and others to friends, family, or seek help from a psychotherapist. If you live in a large, metropolitan area you will have an abundance of options. However, if you live in a more rural area, options might be limited. Broadly speaking, if you have health insurance, you can make an inquiry about providers who deliver psychotherapy in your local area. You might also try exploring profiles  on Psychology Today to get a sense of therapists in your area available for a phone consultation. I wish you all the best in your search.

Answer (from Kaileen McMickle, MS, LPCLicensed Professional Counselor):
It's so great that you are reaching out when you feel depressed!If you have insurance, you can call them up and find out who would be in network for you.  That means they can tell you what providers or clinics they cover, and if there is a copay or deductible and how much.  You can find the number for your insurance company on the back of your insurance card.If you don't have insurance or your insurance doesn't cover providers you have access to, there are some counselors that will see clients at a reduced rate if you don't have the finances to pay for services.  There are even some that will do probono (free) sessions for a number of sessions, though that is dependent on the therapist's caseload and payment policies.If you find a counselor and don't feel like it's a good fit, you can always switch to someone else that is available to you.  Telehealth is a big part of practice right now, so you may have better access to more counselors depending on where you live.If you need more immediate resources, here's the SAMHSA National Helpline website/number: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline and a link to many different depression hotlines specific to certain populations: https://psychcentral.com/lib/depression-hotline-numbers/.I wish you all the best!

Answer (from Sara Makin, M.S.Ed.,NCC#1 Best Selling Author & Counselor):
You have already taken the brave first step of making the decision to heal from it and find a professional that will help you do so. There are lots of different options nowadays for therapists, as you can see them online or in an office.  My biggest tip for you is to use Psychology Today or Counsel Chat to find a therapist.  Enter in your zip code and you will find many different therapists you can talk to . Be sure to find someone that you most resonate with and ask them any questions you may have. Many  times, therapists will provide free consultations and this can be a great opportunity to see if you are a good fit.

Answer (from David KleinHumanistic, LGBT-Affirmative Psychotherapy for Individuals & Couples):
The first step, which you've taken, is actually wanting to talk to someone. It's a great sign that you are seeking to reach out for help. And there are therapists everywhere (there are even therapists online, so you don't have to be that close to them or their office.)There are several sites that I refer people to to begin the process of looking for a therapist. I usually have them start with psychologytoday.com. Once there (there is a therapist directory), you can narrow choices down by ages that they work with, insurance they accept, depression as an issue they focus in, etc. You can also narrow down by therapist's modality, but that can get complicated if you aren't too familiar with the various theoretical approaches. It's important that you find someone that you feel understands your situation. That might mean that they identify an issue you are having in their profile, or on their professional website. But, you should try to meet a couple of different therapists if you aren't quite sure. It can be challenging that first session, but your best (note, not "THE best") therapist will help you feel comfortable (or as comfortable as possible, given therapy can be uncomfortable especially at first) and understood from the get-go.I have found that asking friends or family for names and recommendations Is also a common way to find a therapist, because it can come from a trusted referral source. But remember that we are all different, so what works for one might not always be a good fit. And again, it could take a couple of first sessions with different therapists to know if someone is a good fit (sometimes, it can take a few sessions.) And if there is no one around that can give a name or two, then searching online is quite common and can yield positive results.And try not to give up! Finding a therapist is not easy, but finding a good one for you is extremely rewarding.

Answer (from Kevin MimmsBuilding Better Connections):
Hi,Reaching out here is a great start! I recommend looking for somebody in your area that works with people experiencing depression. After you've chosen somebody to try, feel free to call them for a consultation! A lot of counselors and therapists offer free consultations, and remember that your counselor is working for you, so make sure they are a good fit! I hope this has been of some help.

Answer (from Kim HollingdaleMind-Body Approaches to Stress, Depression & Anxiety):
Hang in there! Feeling depressed sucks but talking with someone can really help - so its awesome that you're already trying to figure out how to find that person. Tons of good suggestions already but to add my two cents - you can find therapists in your area and read a little bit about them to find someone you like the sound of via this website, and also via www.psychologytoday.com; if you have health insurance your insurer might be able to make recommendations as to therapists covered by your plan, or if you happen to be in school, the school itself should be able to connect you with either their own counselor or a center that they recommend nearby. Finding someone can take a few calls or a bit of research so if you need some immediate support, or find yourself having thoughts of hurting yourself, you can also call the great folks who run the Suicide crisis line https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org - they are great in moments of crisis.

Answer (from Sherry Katz, LCSWCouples and Family Therapist, LCSW):
Great that you realize talking with a professional counselor about how you feel, would be helpful!If you'd like a very fast response by phone, then google "depression hotline" for where you live.  And, if you have a specific topic which upsets you then google around with this topic to see if there are services specific to your interest.If you've got time to invest in looking for the best fit therapist for yourself, then google "therapy' or "therapist".There will be many, many names which come up.I know I sound like I work for google only it is the easiest way to find lots of information.I send you good luck!

Answer (from Robert HammelPsychologist providing caring counseling.):
Sorry to hear you are feeling that way.    Is there a 24-hour helpline where you are that you can call?   Here is a website with some numbers to call:  https://psychcentral.com/lib/common-hotline-phone-numbers/      You could talk to your family doctor and they could help you find a therapist?   You could also use this website to find a therapist.  https://therapists.psychologytoday.com.  I sincerely hope you find someone to talk to.