General Articles

Medically reviewed by Andrea Brant, LMHC

Welcome to BetterHelp’s general advice section. Here, you can access articles pertaining to a wide variety of subjects. Browsing through these articles may give you the answers you’ve been looking for or help you learn something new. Below, we’ll offer some general information about therapy and mental health that you may find useful. If you still want to know more about a certain area after reading through this section, you might consider connecting virtually with a BetterHelp therapist.

How a therapist can help

Therapists are licensed mental health professionals who use specific therapeutic approaches and tactics to help their clients. They can be a useful resource in a lot of different situations. Individuals with mental health disorders like anxiety or depression may particularly benefit from the careful guidance and specialized support a therapist can provide. Therapists can also offer a listening ear and an array of helpful tools and strategies for other life situations that may be challenging, whether they coincide with mental health conditions or not. 

People might seek out a mental health professional for guidance if they’re experiencing low self-esteem, relationship discord, major life transitions, grief, or addiction, to name just a few examples. A therapist can also help people build skills for more effective communication, conflict resolution, and social interaction, which can be useful in both personal and professional settings. 

If you’re facing a challenge in your life and need help working through it, connecting with a therapist may be beneficial. Read on to explore a few areas that people commonly seek therapy for.

Developing healthy relationships

Because humans are social creatures, developing and maintaining healthy relationships can be vital to our well-being. You might be concerned about the relationship you share with yourself, a partner, a friend, a family member, or a coworker. In each of these instances, a therapist can work with you to help you understand the role you play in these relationships and how you can show up as your best self. They may also teach you how to identify the signs of an unhealthy relationship or even assist you in leaving one. 

A therapist can help you see how past relationships may have influenced how you approach new ones and point out how those experiences may still be affecting you today. They can also help you adopt a new perspective on conflicts with your partner, assist you in changing your negative self-talk, support you in developing strategies for managing your emotions and communicating more calmly, and much more.

Overcoming insecurities

Most people feel insecure about themselves from time to time. However, if your insecurities begin to affect your daily functioning, mental health, or happiness, it could indicate the need for professional intervention. 

You might feel insecure about your personality, your body, your level of success in life, or something else. Insecurities may damage your self-esteem and make it difficult to show yourself compassion. As a result, you might find it challenging to be yourself, let others in fully, or be trusting and vulnerable in intimate relationships. 

A therapist may be able to help you change your perspective of yourself to one that’s rooted in logic and objectivity rather than in negativity or cognitive fallacies. They can also help you learn strategies for increasing your levels of self-love. 

Practicing mindfulness

Mindfulness refers to the practice of staying in the present moment and observing your thoughts without judgment or interpretation. It can be a beneficial tool in facing many different types of challenges and coping with stress. 

For instance, mindfulness can help you become more aware of your thoughts and allow you to gain greater control over your feelings. Since thoughts influence emotions, being able to recognize your typical cognitive patterns and understanding how to alter them can be vital. A therapist may introduce you to mindfulness tools or other techniques to help you process and manage the emotions you’re feeling.

Accepting your sexuality

Human sexuality is a broad spectrum, but society can still make it difficult for people with diverse sexual identities or gender expressions to feel included and accepted. If you’re discovering or learning to accept your sexual orientation or gender identity, a therapist may be able to help. They can provide a listening ear, strategies for coping with difficult family members, or techniques to help you build healthy relationships.

Managing symptoms of mental health disorders

Mental health disorders are very common in the United States. In fact, more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness. Having access to mental health services can help ensure that these individuals get the support and care they need.

People who are experiencing depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorders can often benefit from therapy, among other interventions. For instance, therapists can help people identify distorted thought patterns that may be causing distress, set goals for the future, and build skills to manage symptoms over time. A therapist can also come up with personalized treatment plans to help their clients live healthier, fuller lives. 

How to check if a therapist is licensed

Professional therapists are required by law to hold a license in their state. These laws help protect clients because they ensure that each therapist has gone through the appropriate training to practice in their field. When seeking out a therapist, it can be important to confirm that they have the proper license so that you can get the level of care you deserve. 

Regardless of whether you find a therapist in your local area, online, or through another medium, it may be wise to inquire about their status or do some research about their professional background online, and check that their license status is current. Your mental health matters, and you deserve quality support and care.

Overcoming concerns with online therapy

If you’re struggling with your mental health or general concerns, speaking with a therapist could be helpful. However, the demands of life may make it challenging to meet with a provider in person. One alternative is an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, which allows users to connect with a mental health professional through video chats, phone calls, or in-app messaging. 

Online therapy also tends to be more affordable even without insurance, and because insurance isn’t typically accepted, you won’t have to worry about your sessions being covered. Being able to meet with your therapist from your home or anywhere else you feel comfortable may allow you to be more open and honest in sessions, which could improve the effectiveness of therapy.

The efficacy of online therapy

Recent research has demonstrated the efficacy of online therapy in managing and treating various mental health conditions. Therapists commonly utilize an approach called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which works by teaching people how to replace their unproductive thoughts with more constructive thinking patterns. In one study, researchers found that digitally delivered CBT could improve symptoms of depression and anxiety. 

Takeaway

Life is full of challenges. Having the right support and tools can be instrumental in seeing yourself through these challenges in a healthy way. A therapist can be just one source of this type of helpful support. You can find a mental health professional to meet with locally or connect with one virtually through an online therapy platform like BetterHelp. To obtain the most benefit from therapy, it can be important to find a provider and medium that works for you. The path to improved mental well-being might look different for everyone, but you don’t have to figure it out on your own.