Several times every week visitors arrive at my website who are searching on some variation of “free marriage counseling.”
I wish I could offer my services for free. After all, I got into this line of work because I’m passionate about helping people change stuck patterns into more satisfying ways of relating. But, until I win the lottery, or something equally lucrative, my business model has to include charging fees for my services.
However, I do know many people are living on tight budgets, especially these days. Aside from many people’s discomfort around consulting with a trained professional (and stranger) about everyday (though difficult) relationships and feelings, spending money on counseling seems like a luxury when you are having difficulty paying your rent or mortgage. In our society, our physical life gets more attention than our emotional/psychological health–but that’s another post.
I really want to honor and empower any couple – or individual in a troubling relationship – ready and willing to do the work of improving their relationship. So here’s a list of resources to get you started in receiving the help you deserve in transforming your current problem. Depending on the severity of the problem and length of time of time it’s been present, your initiative/motivation, and a bit of luck, one or more of these may be useful to you:
- If you belong to a worship community, your clergy person may offer several low to no cost meetings. He or she will also likely have a list of therapist referrals.
- Look up “community mental health clinics” in the yellow pages or a search engine. There are several agencies offering counseling on a sliding scale basis. Most common is individual counseling, so when you call ask if couple or marriage counseling is offered.
- Search online for credible information on your specific topic.
- Check for a relevant self-help book at your local library or through inter-library loan.
- I do offer a few reduced fee time slots. Contact me to discuss this option.
These methods have served some people well. First try the ones that appeal to you the most. A “good fit” is key to successfully making changes. Give it some sustained effort – it takes practice to shift ingrained habits into new behaviors.
Best wishes, and let me know what’s worked for you!
