freementalhealth Frequently Asked Questions
What is freementalhealth.com?
freementalhealth.com is an internet directory of online and offline mental health services, clinics, therapists, and products. In addition, freementalhealth is your source for timely mental health news and research.
Is there really free therapy?
Sometimes and this depends on what you consider "free" and what you consider "therapy". Strictly speaking it is extremely uncommon to find a completely free service to all. Some mental health providers have the ability to provide free service to selected individuals. Individuals receving forms of Medicaid typically qualify for services without a copay, but of course Medicaid is funded by tax dollars. Therapy is a time intensive series of treatment sessions that usually involves professional therapists and one or more clients with the goal of reducing some form of psychopathology. There are other forms of interactions between helping individuals and clients that aren't necessarily "therapy" per se, but may act as therapeutic agents for change. Online chat groups, support groups, and forums are typically free and can be beneficial to people. Individuals in doubt on whether they would benefit from a paid versus free service should consult with a professional about their problems in order to better make a decision on where to turn for help.
Are online tests valid?
You must be very careful when using online tests for a couple of reasons. First, most of the test are not even valid -- that is, they have not been rigorously evaluated to determine their psychometric properties. Because of this, one is never sure if the results are worth anything. Without extensive research, a scale may suffer from validity problems and reliability problems thereby making its findings uninterpretable or misleading. The other caveat here, is that some questionnaires may be asking you for personal information. Because internet scams are common, please use your best judgement in filling out any online questionnaires that ask for personal information.
How do I pick a good therapist or clinic?
Picking a therapist or clinic is an important endeavor and often we are at a loss on how to determine who the best therapist is for us. freementalhealth has clinic ratings from past clients for you to examine and to help you make a good decision. Like any other service, you want to shop for the best therapist at the best price at the most convenient location. Some therapists and clinic specialize in particular areas so investigate this. Others, specialize in particular populations so see if they offer somethin with which you can identify. There are a variety of approaches and therapeutic modalities so you adquaint yourself with these options and pick one that sounds helpful to you that is evidence based. Finally, check our online ratings for the best clinic or therapist close to you.
What other free services/products do you list?
In addition to mental health, we also offer a directory of other free social services in your area. Please browse the categories of assistance to find a service that you need.