I could probably scrap together enough money to pay for a few sessions, but I'd be stressed out the whole time because I would know that it's a luxury that I can't actually afford in the long term.

UPDATE: I made this post when I was particularly frustrated. Since then, I’ve had a chance to sleep and think about my options. I’ve recently heard back from an intern who works on a sliding scale for an amount that would actually work for me. I’m not sure whether this will go well, and counselors can vary in quality, but even if I end up having to pay slightly more, I’ve thought of some things I can cut out of my budget and I have a network of people who might be willing to help pay for my counseling if it comes to that. So in case anyone was worried about me after reading that post, things are not as bleak for me as they seemed at that moment.