Was a post yesterday on getting free therapy sessions etc hope it helps the link is http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Depression/advice/15919566-how-find-some-free

Do you qualify for Medicaid? You can get services through that. Otherwise, there are organizations that offer free or low cost counseling like community-based agencies or churches/religious centers and others from non-profits.

I think it not only annoying but pathetic that we, as a society, have blah blah blah Anonymous organizations, but we don't have a group like this in our communities (at least not that I am aware of) to go to for our needs. By the way, if someone knows of one, let me know, I would go in a heart beat and I know my wife would too, she has depression as well.

I agree it is ashamed. I used to go to a counselor at Catholic Charities and it was free and she moved. The clinic I go to has counseling but it would cost me $15 a visit. Between that and gas I can not afford it.

itsalulu said it best, there are so very many 12 step type groups in my area but not a single thing for folks like ourselves.

I've asked and asked over the years why not and am told, "because of
the liability risk".

Would the dr. who gave you the Effexor see you again, perhaps on some kind of sliding scale fee? If you can't afford the meds, I have a couple web addys I can locate that do provide free or very low cost meds to income qualified folks.
Do any churches in your area provide counseling? The ones that do usually do not charge a fee either. Generally, a person doesn't even need to be a member to get the help.

As mcb00 said, might you qualify for Medicaid? Are you too disabled to work and might qualify for SSD??? I know that can take forever but some folks I know were approved in less than 4 mos. without a lawyer!!
With all these cutbacks though, SS is now saying apps will be taking much longer to begin with, no matter their determination, still, if it's a possible option, give it a try.

I oscillate between feeling empathy and being angry with you post. The empathy is for you and how you are feeling. The anger is echoed in another response - where I live we have 100's of AA meetings yet, the safety net or support group for people with depression or other chronic/persistent problems is next to nothing (I live in greater NYC area).

One thing I did see in your profile is the fact that you have chronic post nasal drip and rhinitis. That alone can be enough to really put someone in an ongoing funk and effexor isn't going to break that cycle.

There is Emotions Anonymous, similar to AA but for people with emotional issues: http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

They have meetings in many states, Canada and other countries.
See website for schedule near your area.

There is also NAMI, also in many states: http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?section=Find_Support

For mood disorders there is DBSA: http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=peer_support_group_locator

I will post this on other forums since it is important info which I assumed everyone knew about. Wrong assumption :)