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
Therapy and medication
Therapy and medication can both help with mental health, but in different ways. For some people, using both together can make a big difference. This article explains how each one works and how they can support each other. Learn what to keep in mind if you're thinking about adding medication to your care plan.
What is therapy
Therapy can help you reconnect with yourself and find more clarity in life. Our complete guide to getting therapy shows you what to expect, from understanding how therapy works to finding a therapist you trust. Whether you're exploring options or ready to begin, we’re here to help you move forward with confidence.
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.
Helping someone else find a therapist
When someone you care about is struggling, your support can make a difference. This article shares how to encourage them to try therapy, start the conversation with compassion, and care for yourself along the way.
Paying for Therapy
Paying for therapy
Therapy costs vary widely based on insurance coverage and provider choice. This guide explains insurance basics, government programs like Medicaid and Medicare, alternative payment methods, and solutions to common billing obstacles.
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.
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.
Therapy covered by insurance
Learn about how health insurance covers therapy, including copays, deductibles, telehealth, couples therapy limitations, pros and cons of using insurance, and steps to verify coverage, in-network providers, referrals, and reimbursement options for affordable mental health care.
Anxiety
Phobias
Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of phobias — intense fears that disrupt daily life — and explore how therapy, coping strategies, and understanding brain responses can help reduce anxiety and build confidence.
What is anxiety?
Learn about what anxiety is, why it happens, how it affects the brain and body, its different forms, when to seek help, and effective strategies and treatments for managing anxiety.
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.
When to get help for anxiety
Anxiety is common, but when it lingers or disrupts sleep, focus, or joy, extra support can help. In this article you will learn key signs, urgent red flags, and how therapy gets you back to center.
Types of Therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
Learn about dialectical behavior therapy, a structured treatment combining mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills to help manage intense emotions and mental health conditions.
A guide to the different types of therapy
Not sure which type of therapy is right for you? This guide breaks down dozens of approaches to help you find the best fit.
Positive psychology
Positive psychology shifts focus from fixing problems to building happiness through strength identification, mindfulness practices, optimism training, and resilience-building exercises that create lasting positive changes.
Culturally sensitive therapy
Culturally sensitive therapy offers a compassionate approach to mental health by recognizing the impact of culture, identity, and lived experience. This article explores its origins, benefits, and how to find the right support.
Therapy Platform Comparisons
Grow Therapy vs. Brightside
Comparing the two popular online therapy platforms to help you choose the right support for your mental health needs.
Grow Therapy vs. Talkiatry
Both Grow Therapy and Talkiatry help people find a psychiatrist for medication management. Which platform offers the best experience and providers for you?
Grow Therapy vs. Talkspace
Learn about how Grow Therapy and Talkspace compare as online therapy platforms, including pricing models, therapist access, insurance compatibility, in-person care options, and which might best suit your mental health needs.
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.
Types of Therapists
Licensed Social Worker (LSW) vs. Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
LSW and LMSW are both licensed social work credentials — but the "M" matters more than you might think. Here's what each one means and how to choose.
CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) vs. LADC (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor)
CADC and LADC are both addiction counselor credentials — but they differ in training, authority, and scope. Here's how to tell them apart and choose the right fit.
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.
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health, including diagnosis, treatment, and medication management. Understanding what psychiatrists do — and how they differ from other mental health professionals — can help you decide whether seeing one is the right step for your care.
Insurance
Insurance and privacy
A clear guide to coverage, HIPAA, and what stays between you and your therapist.
Insurance plans
A payor is the entity — insurance company, employer, or government program — that helps cover the cost of your care. Here's how insurance coverage for therapy actually works.
When insurance doesn’t cover it
No insurance? That doesn't mean no therapy. From sliding scale fees to community clinics and EAPs, here's how to access affordable mental health care without coverage.
Choosing a plan
Not all insurance plans make therapy easy to access or afford. Here's what to look for when comparing plans so your mental health care doesn't fall through the cracks.