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 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.
Types of therapy
This is your starting point for understanding the different types of therapy. This overview walks you through each of the common categories of therapy and who they work best for.
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.
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.
Paying for Therapy
Therapy covered by EAP, HSA or FSA
Learn about HSAs, FSAs, and EAPs as financial tools to make therapy and mental health care more affordable, including eligible expenses, key differences, and how employers support access to mental health services.
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 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.
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.
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.
Panic disorder
Learn about panic disorder, including its causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnostic process, and effective treatments like CBT, medication, and lifestyle changes, to better understand and manage this common anxiety condition.
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.
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.
Types of Therapy
Gender-affirming therapy
Gender-affirming therapy is mental health care that supports and validates LGBTQ+ individuals' gender identity without attempting to change it. Discover how this approach works, its proven effectiveness, and finding qualified therapists.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT helps manage mental health conditions by connecting thoughts, feelings, and behaviors through evidence-based techniques. Discover its applications, cognitive restructuring process, treatment outcomes, and finding specialized providers.
Integrative therapy
Integrative therapy combines techniques from different therapeutic approaches to create personalized treatment plans that address each person's unique mental health needs. Discover how this flexible approach works and when it's used.
Christian counseling
Faith-based therapy such as Christian counseling integrates scripture, prayer, and Christian beliefs with psychological interventions for holistic healing. Discover when it's used, the therapeutic approaches it takes, its session structure, and how to find specialized Christian counselors.
Therapy Platform Comparisons
Grow Therapy vs. SonderMind
A side-by-side look at two leading therapy platforms to help you choose the best 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. 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. Talkiatry
Both Grow Therapy and Talkiatry help people find a psychiatrist for medication management. Which platform offers the best experience and providers for you?
Types of Therapists
What is an LCPC and should you see one for therapy?
LCPC stands for licensed clinical professional counselor — a goal-oriented, clinically trained therapist equipped to treat a wide range of mental health concerns. Here's what they do and how to find one.
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.
Psychologist
If you ever thought about whether you need a psychiatrist, therapist, or psychologist, knowing the distinctions between them can be helpful in finding the best choice for your needs.
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 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.
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 and privacy
A clear guide to coverage, HIPAA, and what stays between you and your therapist.
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.