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
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.
Therapy myths
Misconceptions about therapy can hold you back from getting the support you need. Learn what’s true and what’s not. This article clears up the most common myths that keep people from going to therapy. We're here to help you better understand what therapy is really like.
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.
Ways therapy can help
Therapy isn’t just for tough times. This article explores how it can help you manage stress, strengthen relationships, and feel more connected to yourself.
Paying for Therapy
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.
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.
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.
Anxiety
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.
How to relieve anxiety
Anxiety can feel intense and unpredictable, but you can build relief skills that work now and over time. In this article you will learn quick grounding techniques, lifestyle shifts, support options, and how to choose therapy or medication.
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.
The causes of anxiety
Anxiety can stem from many sources, including biology, health, trauma, and daily stress. In this article you will learn the root causes, triggers, and factors that shape anxiety so you can better understand and manage it.
Types of Therapy
Compassion-focused therapy (CFT)
Compassion-focused therapy helps people who experience high levels of shame and self-criticism learn self-compassion and emotional regulation skills to improve mental health. Learn how this approach can transform your relationship with yourself.
Prolonged exposure therapy (PE)
Prolonged exposure therapy uses controlled, gradual confrontation of trauma triggers to treat PTSD symptoms. Discover how this evidence-based approach works, when it's recommended, and what session experiences are like.
Attachment-based therapy
Attachment-based therapy focuses on how early caregiver relationships shape adult patterns of trust, emotion, and connection. You will learn about attachment styles, when therapy is used, how it works, and its effectiveness in healing relationships
Humanistic therapy
Humanistic therapy promotes personal growth through self-awareness and present-moment focus. Learn about its Rogerian foundations, diverse applications, therapeutic techniques, research effectiveness, and locating qualified practitioners.
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. Alma
A detailed comparison of Alma vs. Grow Therapy to help you understand how each platform works and which one may be a better fit for your needs.
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. Headway
Headway vs. Grow Therapy — here's how the two platforms compare on insurance, specialties, and cost.
Types of Therapists
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.
Counseling Psychologist
Counseling psychologists are highly trained mental health practitioners who work to help people feel better, function better, and engage more healthily with the world around them.
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.
What Is an LPCC?
An LPCC is a licensed mental health professional trained to treat anxiety, depression, trauma, and more. Here's what the credential means and how to find one.
Insurance
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.
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.
Insurance 101
Health insurance covers therapy — but understanding what you'll actually pay takes a little digging. Here's how coverage works and how to make the most of your plan.
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.