Therapy 101
Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. These guides cover the basics—from what to expect in your first session, to understanding the costs, to exploring different approaches and finding support for challenges like anxiety. Each resource is designed to make the process clearer and less intimidating, so you can focus on what matters most: taking care of your mental health.
Getting Therapy
When to end therapy
Therapy doesn’t have to last forever. You might decide to end, take a break, or come back later when it feels right. This article helps you recognize when it may be time to pause and how to thoughtfully close out your sessions.
Your first therapy session
Your first therapy session is the start of something meaningful. This article walks you through what to expect, how to prepare, and how to feel more comfortable from the start.
How to find a therapist
Finding the right therapist can make a difference in the success of your therapy. This article walks you through where to look and how to decide which therapist is right for you.
Your relationship with your therapist
A strong relationship with your therapist can shape your entire experience in therapy. This article explains why it matters and what healthy boundaries look like. We'll also walk you through how to handle questions and emotional moments along the way.
Paying for Therapy
Therapy covered by Medicaid
Learn about Medicaid’s role in covering mental health treatment, including eligibility, therapy costs, types of services covered, coverage limits, differences from Medicare, and how to find therapists who accept Medicaid for accessible care.
Beginners guide to insurance
Learn about how health insurance works, types of plans, costs, coverage details, key terms, special programs like HSAs and COBRA, qualifying life events, and how to understand mental health coverage within your insurance.
Therapy covered by Medicare
Learn about Medicare’s mental health coverage, including eligibility, Parts A–D, therapy and counseling benefits, online therapy access, costs, session limits, and differences from Medicaid, plus how to find a Medicare-accepting therapist for personalized care.
Cost of therapy
Therapy costs vary widely based on insurance coverage, provider credentials, and treatment type. This article covers session pricing, insurance benefits, affordable alternatives, session length expectations, and whether therapy's investment delivers lasting mental health value.
Anxiety
Types of anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders can look different for everyone. From generalized anxiety to phobias, this article explains the types of anxiety, their symptoms, and how they’re treated.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Learn about generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), its causes, symptoms, risk factors, and how treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy, medication, and professional support can help manage persistent and overwhelming worry.
Talking about anxiety
It isn’t always easy to talk about anxiety, whether you’re the one feeling anxious or supporting someone who is. This article offers supportive ways to start the conversation, ask for help, or offer comfort when it matters most.
Agoraphobia
Living with agoraphobia can feel isolating, but you’re not alone. Understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatments is the first step toward feeling safe and in control again.
Types of Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy
Psychodynamic therapy helps you connect the dots between childhood experiences and current struggles by exploring patterns you might not even realize exist. Learn how this deep approach creates meaningful, lasting change.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation like eye movements to help process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional charge. Learn about its 8-phase protocol, effectiveness for PTSD, session structure, and finding qualified EMDR therapists.
Polyvagal therapy
Based on understanding the vagus nerve's role in stress responses, polyvagal therapy teaches your body to choose calm over fight-flight-freeze reactions through breathing exercises and social engagement practices.
Existential therapy
Existential therapy explores four pillars of human existence: death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness to help clients create authentic lives. This article covers its effectiveness, treatment duration, and how to find therapists who specialize in existential therapy.
Therapy Platform Comparisons
Grow Therapy vs. Rula
With the rise of online therapy, platforms like Grow Therapy and Rula offer accessible mental health care — but which is the right fit for you? Read on to explore key differences and decide which platform aligns best with your therapy needs.
Grow Therapy vs. Online-Therapy.com
Choosing the right online therapy platform can feel overwhelming, but understanding how each service works can make the decision simpler.
Grow Therapy vs. BetterHelp
Grow Therapy and BetterHelp offer different approaches to finding mental health support. Explore how each online therapy platform works so you can choose what fits your needs.
Grow Therapy vs. Brightside
Comparing the two popular online therapy platforms to help you choose the right support for your mental health needs.
Types of Therapists
What is an LMHC and should you see one for therapy?
LMHC stands for Licensed Mental Health Counselor — a practical, client-centered therapist trained to treat a wide range of mental health concerns. Here's what they do and how to find one.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP)
A PMHNP can diagnose, prescribe, and provide therapy — all in one. Here's what psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners do and how to find one.
Clinical Psychologist
Choosing the right mental health support becomes much easier once you understand the specialized expertise a clinical psychologist brings to your care.
Psychotherapist
"Psychotherapist" sounds clinical, but the term is simpler than you think. Here's what it means, how it differs from other titles, and how to find the right one.