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
Deciding to start therapy
Thinking about therapy but not sure if you really “need” it? This article teaches you about the emotional, behavioral, and everyday signs that it might be time to talk to someone.
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.
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.
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.
Paying for Therapy
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.
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.
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
Signs and symptoms of anxiety
Anxiety affects body, mind, and behavior—from chest tightness and racing thoughts to avoidance and irritability. In this article you will learn common signs, how symptoms vary, what worsens them, and practical ways to get relief.
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.
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.
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.
Types of Therapy
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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. SonderMind
A side-by-side look at two leading therapy platforms to help you choose the best fit for your needs.
Types of Therapists
Overview
Confused by therapist credentials and license types? This guide breaks down what they mean and how to find the right therapist for your needs.
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.
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.
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.