What is therapy?

Therapy, also known as psychotherapy or talk therapy, is a collaborative process where individuals, couples, families, or groups work with a trained mental health professional to find relief from emotional distress or mental health conditions. Therapy involves exploring thoughts, emotions, and challenges with the goal of improving mental health and enhancing overall well-being.

Therapy can help with a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, relationship difficulties, and personal growth. It is based on psychological theories and techniques that vary depending on the therapist’s approach and the individual’s needs.

Should I go to therapy?

The decision to begin therapy is a personal one, and can bring up complicated feelings. Sometimes people don’t believe therapy would help them. Others think it would help, but struggle with feelings of shame or fear, rooted in stigma, which makes them hesitate to reach out.

For many, the financial aspect of therapy — how much it costs, whether insurance will help pay, and how many sessions are needed — is a roadblock to getting care. Understanding more about these topics can help make therapy more approachable.

Ultimately, if you’re struggling with emotions, habits, relationships, drug or alcohol use, or personal growth, a licensed therapist may be able to help.

Why do people go to therapy?

There are many reasons why people choose to go to therapy, ranging from treatment for a mental health condition to achieving personal goals.

Talk therapy is an effective way to treat a variety of mental health concerns, including (but not limited to) anxiety and stress, depression, trauma and PTSD, grief and loss, addiction, and substance abuse. People also seek therapy to help them work through unhealthy patterns related to relationships, substance use, food, their careers, and many other things.

Therapy for couples and marriages can also help with communication, intimacy, and trust. For some, therapy is a way to work through personal growth, self-discovery, or death and dying.

How do I find a therapist?

Deciding to start therapy is an important first step — the next step is finding a therapist. There are over a million behavioral health providers working in the US today, so finding a provider is easier than it used to be.

However, finding the right therapist is important, because a strong therapist-client relationship is a key contributing factor to your success. There are a few things to keep in mind, like whether you need a therapist who specializes in a specific condition or treatment type, or if you’re looking for a therapist with a background or identity that’s similar to yours.

Your budget and insurance coverage are important factors, as are whether you’re looking for online or in-person care. In general, insurance companies, online platforms like Grow Therapy, and primary care providers are good places to begin your search.

Can I find a therapist for someone else?

It can be upsetting to watch someone you know struggle with mental health issues, especially if you aren’t sure what to do. In general, the best approach is to talk with them about it openly and compassionately. You can ask them questions, tell them about your own experiences with mental health care, or offer to help them find help.

It’s important to remember that you can’t force someone to go to therapy. Additionally, communication strategies like blame, accusation, guilt trips, or pressure might backfire. If your loved one takes you up on the offer to help them find a therapist, we have a guide that can help.

With some exceptions, close friends and family members should not see the same therapist, so finding a therapist that’s right for your loved one will be the best course of action.

Why are some people anti-therapy?

There are many myths and misconceptions about therapy that stem from stigma and a lack of education about mental health. Cultural differences can also contribute to stigma, leading to false ideas not only being perpetuated by the media and popular culture but also within our old communities.

These can be ideas like “therapy is only for white people,” or “personal issues should be kept within the family. In addition, people from older generations may be less likely to talk openly about mental health. Shedding light on the realities of mental health can help people safely and comfortably find treatment.

What kinds of therapy are out there?

People who are considering therapy often get overwhelmed at just how many types of therapy (and therapists) are out there.

While there are dozens of types of therapy, clients generally don’t need to do heavy research into which they prefer. This is because it’s part of the therapist’s job to understand all the modalities available, and determine which one or ones will be best for their client’s treatment plan.

That said, sometimes people are curious about what type(s) of therapy will be best for their particular concern, or they are in fact interested in a specific kind of therapy — for example, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also be helpful to understand the difference between different types of providers, such as how a psychologist differs from a psychiatrist.

How much does therapy cost?

The cost of therapy can vary greatly depending on your health plan, as deductibles, co-pays, and coverage rates are different from plan to plan. Whether you see an in-network or out-of-network provider is also an important detail.

If you don’t have insurance, therapists with sliding scale fees can help make treatment more affordable. For many, the cost of therapy is one of the biggest factors in deciding whether to seek treatment. It can be challenging to simply find out how much therapy costs, much less what insurance will cover, and what alternative payment options might be available.

In general, most health insurance plans do cover talk therapy and a variety of other mental health services — even Medicare and Medicaid cover therapy.

What happens in the first therapy session?

Although going to therapy for the first time is a positive step, it can still bring up challenging emotions. It’s entirely normal to feel nervous, excited, afraid, or any other feeling. People often wonder what the first session will be like, what they’ll be expected to talk about or answer, and what the “right” way to act is.

The good news is that therapy is your time, and anything you feel or want to talk about is valid. In addition, your therapist will be focused on easing you into the experience, with the first session focused mainly on introductions, logistics, and giving you an opportunity to share more about what brings you to therapy in the first place.

How do therapy and medication work together?

Therapy and medication are each important and effective tools for treating conditions and managing mental health. For some, talk therapy alone is sufficient, but others find that combining therapy with medication is what works best for them.

While therapists generally focus on talk therapy as a way to manage mental health conditions, they can help you determine if medication could enhance your treatment and refer you to a provider. If you’re already taking medication for your mental health prescribed by a physician, be sure to share this in your first session if you start seeing a new therapist.

What will my relationship with my therapist be like?

The relationship you have with your therapist will be different from any other relationship in your life. You’ll share a deeply personal bond that’s unique in that it’s more one-sided than other relationships. There are also professional boundaries and considerations to keep in mind.

People are sometimes surprised to learn just how important the bond with their therapist — sometimes known as the “therapeutic relationship” — is to the success of their treatment. Comfort, trust, and even chemistry are important to your treatment outcomes.

What are some red flags to look out for?

While therapy should always be helping you make progress toward your mental health goals, it’s normal for questions or concerns to come up. In rare circumstances, things can go wrong with a therapist, and it’s good to be aware of these possibilities.

Sometimes people wonder whether their therapist is right for them, or if they want to stay in therapy — this is common, and can be a good thing to explore openly with your therapist. In other cases, therapists can behave in ways that are unprofessional or detract from the therapeutic work, including but not limited to engaging in relationships outside of therapy or not engaging in ethical billing practices.

When does therapy end?

People stop going to therapy for a variety of reasons. For many, it’s because they’ve accomplished what they began therapy for in the first place: They’ve learned to manage their mental health symptoms, their quality of life has improved, or they’ve met other goals they established with their therapist. For others, logistical or financial constraints get in the way of continuing therapy.

Whatever your reasons are for ending therapy, it’s a good idea to discuss these openly with your therapist. This way, you can ensure you’re making the right choice, and end your sessions equipped with tools, techniques, and expectations for what comes next.