Looking for a cheap alternative rather than therapy

@quickwittedNest5808 In real life (not at 7 Cups) I happen to know several therapists, and I often have conversations with them about their work. They are not aware of any cheaper alternatives that are effective for serious conditions.

Based on what I've been told, I would suggest that the most costly form of treatment is often long-term (several months, or years) therapy with an ineffective therapist, even if the hourly rate is low. This is because over many months or years the total cost can become huge, and there is a big risk of ending up feeling no better.

At the other end of the scale, I would suggest that the cheapest form of treatment might often be very brief therapy with a very experienced therapist who has a great reputation, even if the hourly rate is high. This is because modern forms of therapy can turn things around for you in just a few sessions, if the therapist is an expert.

If you only want to cope with your social anxiety, not recover from it, then I agree with you that a listener here (or more than one listener) might be able to give you helpful support. You can use the Browse Listeners page to look for experienced listeners who have a lot of good reviews. There are also many books and websites out there, where you might be able to find helpful advice.

I'm taking a break from 1-to-1 chats for a few weeks but you are welcome to message me if you'd like to discuss these things further.

Charlie

@quickwittedNest5808

Hey there! I wouldn't know about cheap online therapy offers, I would like to suggest self-help books tho. Someone I met recently suggested 'The subtle art of not giving a f', started reading this and within the first few pages I felt a weird sense of relief. Someone to compare my own situation and opinions too. I'm at page 30 and my mood is already lifted. I know it doesn't work for everyone so don't expect a miracle cure haha, but if you can relate to me it might just help you out.

Best of luck!

I'm going to combine the above 2 things. When I really looked into therapy for a specific anxiety related issue, I was asked to fill out a form and there was a bit of communication back and forth before I even saw my therapist. A workbook was recommended to me.

I found the tips my therapist gave me really helpful, but most of the actual targetted therapy I was doing on my own. I think if I had spread my sessions further apart it would have taken me longer to have really gotten the upperhand on my anxiety, but I think it may have resulted in less therapy sessions overall (and thus would have been cheaper). Also my last session was just a half session, if my ability to pay was really strained it's possible my therapist would have allowed me to have done more half sessions to quickly check in and get some of those tips. Without discussing things in detail I would have really had to have come prepared with what the stumbling blocks were though.