My husband and I have needed to see some sort of marriage counselor, probably for years. I’ve been daunted by the task of finding someone, and also by the potential cost. He is willing to go and has suggested marriage counseling in the past, if I find someone.

A little about us: We are both 29 years old and have been married for 6 years. We have a 17 month old. I am a Christian, he ‘believes in God’. He served in the military, and got out 5 years ago, but did not fight in war (so thankfully no post traumatic stress disorder from that). I have been diagnosed by several doctors with anxiety, OCD, ADD (so no, it’s not in my head… or is it?) He now calls me a hypochondriac where he used to be (sort of) supportive.

He is an alcoholic but I think we have both been in denial about that for a long time. He currently has drinking under control where he can say no even if he really wants to drink. I had no experience with people who drank more than socially so I didn’t know what to look for. I believed him when we first got married when he said that even though he ‘was’ an alcoholic he no longer was (when I thought AA said you always were?). He uses chewing tobacco and is really addicted to that (he has a long term plan for quitting…).

I think we would both be comfortable with the pastor of my church, but we don’t go very often, and it might be kind of nice to have some sort of separation from the rest of my family who attends.

I am not sure what kind of questions to ask in my search? What kind of accreditations or training to look for? It would be helpful to hear from other people who may have had similar life circumstances and how you dealt with issues that came up because of them. Thank-you!

Technorati Tags: 6 years, aa, accreditations, anxiety, chewing tobacco, denial, doctors, god, hypochondriac, life circumstances, long time, marriage, marriage counseling, marriage counselor, post traumatic stress, post traumatic stress disorder, sure what kind, traumatic stress disorder

A lot of people, maybe including me, spend lots of time during the workday hanging out on R&S and not doing work, which costs companies money. And there just happens to be lots of companies losing lots of money in this country.
Aside from people being bad with their money, a lot of them (like most people here) are spending time searching for God with no real leads. Just hours of wasted time.

So can God be the main one to blame for America’s sluggish economy? Or at least the 2nd one to blame?

Technorati Tags: amp, god, lots of money, sluggish economy, spending time, workday

I have been searching for the last few days, for a mental health clinic that could offer me low cost, or free counseling. I am unemployed, and have some anger, depression, anxiety, and stress issues that I need to get counseling for. I am unemployed, and have no way of paying for counseling, especially the a session that seems to be standard for private practice. I have made dozens of phone calls, and talked to dozens of people who all seem to want me to be a victim, or insured. I am neither. I feel like I’m running in circles.

Does anyone know where I could go to be evaluated, and get some low cost or free counseling? Would I qualify for free counseling? I have lived through a few traumatic experiences in my life that I have not received counseling for…

Btw, I live in Bakersfield, CA.

Thank you in advance for any answers.
What is a "sliding scale" system?
Please do not tell me that I need to find God. That is not going to help me, in any way.

Technorati Tags: anger depression, bakersfield ca, btw, depression anxiety, dozens, few days, free counseling, god, mental health clinic, phone calls, private practice, quot, running in circles, stress issues, traumatic experiences