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Talking Can HelpRaising kids or keeping a strong marriage can be difficult for anyone in this a day and age, but maintaining a family when you have a chronic disease can present special challenges. Your spouse and children cannot fully understand what you are going through. If your illness began after you were married, your spouse may grieve for the healthy person he married or resent the fact that he must be responsible for more housework or bear the brunt of the family bills. Your kids may wonder why you cannot do all of the activities that you once did or that their friends’ parents do. You may grieve the loss of your old self and also be resentful that you cannot do all you want for and with your family.
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Everyone can benefit |
Counseling for you and your spouse, possibly your entire family, can help you communicate better with your family (and they with you). It can help you look at situations differently and discover new ways of coping with or taking control over your pain.
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Different types of professionals |
Many types of professionals, including psychologists, licensed counselors and social workers, practice marriage and family therapy. Most counseling occurs in a one-on-one setting, but some people prefer – and some counselors practice – group therapy. This is much like a support group except that is led and moderated by the counselor. The benefit of group of counseling is that it allows you the receive the guidance of a trained professional as well as the empathy and sharing of experiences and ideas by others who facing similar challenges. Group therapy often is often offered in a certain number of sessions. Often a single fee covers all sessions and the fee could be significantly less than if you paid for individual sessions of one-on-one counseling.
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Finding the right help for you |
There are many ways to find a good therapist. One of the best is by word of mouth. If you feel comfortable doing so, ask friends if they have seen someone they can recommend. Your doctor is another good source and may have specific counselors he or she refers patients to. You can also search for counselors online. Sites such as psychologytoday.com and goodtherapy.org allow you to search for therapists in your area. They also offer information – including treatment philosophy and average price per visit – on all therapists listed. Sites like yelp.com and kudzu.com enable you to search for therapists by zip code and read reviews from clients.
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Insurance and fees |
You can also get a list of covered therapists from your insurance provider. Often health insurance helps cover the cost of counseling; however, your insurance may dictate they type of counselor can use (for example, a psychologist as opposed to a social worker). If your insurance does not cover counseling or if high co-pays or deductibles make counseling seem out of reach, there are still ways to make counseling affordable. Contact your place of worship, if you have one; nearby colleges and universities that offer counseling degrees; community organizations and counseling centers; and individual counselors, who often offer a sliding fee schedule, where you pay based on your ability to pay.
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