How do you deal with having to wait to get the therapy you need?

Sometimes it can take time to find the right therapist for you, or sometimes it can take a while to get therapy in your price range. There are free apps, workbooks, and coping skills resources online while waiting for a therapist. Although 7 cups and crisis intervention lines aren't a replacement for therapy, they're a resource available to the community too. There are also a variety of self-help groups around for a variety of topics. This includes AA, overeating, suicide, mental illness, and many other topics. NAMI is also a great resource for mental health topics available to the community.

I try to keep myself busy. For example, watching a show, painting, or going for a walk. I know that negative thoughts can creep up on me, so I try to think or do things that I enjoy and that make me happy. I find that going outside and looking at nature really calms me down and I also like photography to help capture the beautiful things I see, so I can look back on them. I also try to talk with friends or family. It can be hard to share my emotions, but I know that they are there to help.

I like to find comfort in positive things such as podacts or videos that focus on mindful thinking, meditation, or breathing exercises. Often times ill write out what I'm feeling, because it helps to let out all the pressure that's been building up from over thinking. Sometimes it's music or a certain show that keeps me feeling grounded, a good snack or meal might help for me to relax as well. Taking a good hot shower or bath with candles lit is a nice self care thing I try and do for myself when I'm getting tense. I also find it to he helpful if I open up to my closest friends because even if you feel like you don't want to bother them, chances are they love and care about you so much they would want to help.

When I was first trying therapy out there was a huge waitlist and that was super frustrating and scary at first because I felt like I wouldn't get the help I needed! What is did while waiting was writing in my journal each day or every other day just tracking how I was feeling, what my day was like and any specific questions or talking points I wanted to bring up when I eventually would meet with a therapist. Writing things down also is a great release :). Another thing you could do is practice SELF-CARE! It is so important we are taking care of our mind and body even when things might suck or be challenging in our lives.