Perceptions of therapy in society

For many, “therapy” is synonymous with sitting in an old armchair speaking to a qualified medical professional (who is probably quite expensive) at a regular, agreed-upon time. While traditional therapy definitely has its place, society has put therapy in quite a small box, making it feel like not everyone can have access to it. It’s worth considering that therapy does not always have to look the way society has constructed it to be.

Alternative, helpful forms of therapy

For many people, the thought of “going to therapy” is daunting. It requires a lot of mental energy and emotional effort, often leaving a person feeling exhausted afterward with little stamina left to tackle the rest of their day. Thankfully, therapy can be anything that works for you. It could be:

• 40 minutes of exercise a day
• Going to a comedy club once a week with a friend
• Meditating in the morning
• Spending time outdoors in nature
• Walking or playing with your pets
• Drawing or adult coloring

Many of our peer counselors have found different forms of therapy that work for them,

including some of the above, and they can recommend them to you based on your conversation with them. Getting a first-hand recommendation often pushes you to be brave enough to seek activities that bring you happiness and mental clarity. Whatever brings you joy and peace should be considered a form of therapy and not just opening up to a person about what’s on your mind.

What are some options for people who can’t afford the cost of therapy?

The cost of therapy varies per practice or therapist and depends on a variety of considerations. Because of this, unless you’re lucky enough to be able to afford an insurance scheme that will cover this, support for those who need it is less accessible. Thankfully, there are several other options for those who can’t afford it:

• Online peer counseling: Allowing you to choose a counselor you resonate with whenever you need support or a listening ear. With Peer Collective, we offer you your first 30-minute session for free and $28/hour thereafter.
• Community mental health clinics: If you can’t pay out-of-pocket, there are many different community healthcare clinics that offer free counseling sessions.
• Support groups: There are hundreds of support groups out there for people just like you. These are a great way to share your experiences in a shared space, also making you feel less alone in your journey.

Affordable therapy without compromising on empathy

We’re an online peer counseling platform with a collective of thoroughly vetted counselors with unique experiences and stories that they will happily share with you. Whether you’re looking for affordable marriage counseling or help dealing with a life crisis, our counselors are committed to your wellbeing and helping you find your feet again. You can rest assured you’re getting the very best, too — we analyzed hundreds of hours of videos of counselors put in difficult fictitious scenarios and only chose the top 3% to work with us.

So, give us a try! Traditional therapy is not the only avenue to explore when it comes to supporting your mental health, but it’s important to note that our platform and the other alternatives are not a replacement for it. Peer Collective is an easy-to-use platform where you can schedule a session with a counselor of your choosing whenever suits you. If you’re on the hunt for affordable couples counseling or help dealing with a traumatic event, get in touch with us today to get the help you deserve.