Therapy Articles & Resources

Therapy is a chance to work through what's on your mind with someone who's trained to help, whether that's stress, a big life change, a mental health condition, or simply wanting to understand yourself better. It's not just for crisis moments, and you don't need a diagnosis to start. This collection of articles covers what therapy looks like, who it may help, and how to find the right fit, including how online therapy through platforms like BetterHelp may make getting started a little easier.

The world of therapy is diverse and offers many types of therapy. Each person who enters counseling treatment has different mental health and thus different needs. All human beings have struggles and life challenges. Depending on what an individual is dealing with or if they have a mental illness, it can determine what sort of therapeutic practices will work best for them. Some people are looking to talk to someone, so they feel emotionally validated. Perhaps they need advice on how to handle their life problems. Others may need counseling to develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Counseling can be conducted in a variety of ways, and different therapeutic practices may work better in different contexts. When you look for a therapist, you might come across professionals who practice psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), which is sometimes used to treat post traumatic stress disorder. Counselors are typically trained in numerous modalities, and if you find a therapist who doesn’t seem to be helping, it’s okay to communicate this to your counselor or simply change counselors. Seeing an online counselor or attending in person counseling is always an option. Before we expand on that, let’s talk about the benefits of seeing a counselor, whether an online counselor or in person counselor.

When you first start seeing a counselor, the process typically involves establishing a therapeutic relationship and getting to know them. You might not know where treatment is going, or you might feel like nothing is happening at first. You might feel emotionally vulnerable or even broken, but this process may lead to healing. Your first session and initial treatment experience may not be groundbreaking, but consistency is often key when it comes to effective treatment. Everyone has challenges that they have to address in life, and a counselor is there to help you handle those challenges. When you see a counselor, you aren’t facing life alone anymore. You have a professional there to listen without judgment and offer strategies for moving forward. A counselor may help you gain insight into your emotions and challenge any inaccurate or negative thoughts you’re experiencing. Even just speaking to someone about what’s going on in your life, whether it’s family problems, anxiety, symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, or something else altogether, can reduce emotional distress and help you feel better.

Clinically Reviewed By: Corey Pitts, MA, LCMHCS, LPC, LCAS, CCS

What is therapy, and how may it help?

Therapy is the process of working with a licensed mental health professional to talk through what's weighing on you. That could be a mental health challenge, a difficult life transition, relationship challenges, or personal growth. Talk therapy is the most common form of therapy typically involving conversations that may help you understand your thought patterns over time.

Types of therapy to consider

Therapy comes in several forms, and the right approach depends on you. A few common ones include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Helps you spot and shift unhelpful thought patterns
Psychodynamic therapy: Explores how past experiences may shape present feelings and behavior
Exposure therapy: Gradually helps you safely face fears through exposure; often used for anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): Builds coping skills like managing strong emotions and stress

For concerns involving family dynamics, a therapist may be able to help you navigate those relationships 1:1 within your individual sessions. Dedicated family therapy is also available through other providers and local clinics.

You don't have to pick one alone. A licensed mental health professional like those at BetterHelp may help find the approach that fits your needs and shape it into a treatment plan that makes sense for you.

What happens during therapy sessions?

A typical first therapy session is mostly about getting to know each other. Your therapist may ask what brought you in and what you're hoping for. You don't have to share everything right away, and you set the pace.

Over time, you and your therapist build a relationship based on trust. That connection is a big part of what makes therapy work, because as you get more comfortable, you're likely to open up more.

How often you meet and what your treatment plan looks like will depend on your individual needs. Therapy sessions may happen in person or online through platforms like BetterHelp. This option allows you to meet through video, phone, live chat, or messaging, so you may choose the format that works best for your schedule and preferences.

Who may benefit from mental health support?

Mental health support isn't reserved for any one type of person or any one kind of struggle. Regardless of yearning, mental health support is available for varying needs that individuals may benefit from seeking help for. Below explores some common reasons adults seek therapy.

Common reasons adults seek therapy

People come to therapy for all kinds of reasons. Some of the most common include:

Life transitions like a career change, a loss, or a relationship shift
Anxiety, depression, or stress that's hard to manage alone
Trauma or PTSD from an experience
Relationship or family concerns that keep coming up
Building coping skills and getting to know yourself better
General mental health support and personal growth

Mental health conditions that therapy may address

Therapy may also be part of how people manage diagnosed mental health conditions, such as:

Everyone's situation is different, so there's no one-size-fits-all answer. A licensed mental health professional, like those at BetterHelp, may assess what you're dealing with. They’re able to recommend whether therapy, a referral, or a mix of mental health services would serve you best.

How can someone find the right licensed mental health professional?

Finding the right therapist may or may not take some time. This is largely based on clinical preferences, expertise, an individual’s presenting problem/concern, as well as particular goals. Despite this, finding the right connection with a therapist ensures how effective therapy may be in addressing goals.

What to look for in a therapist

A good fit comes down to a few things. Start with credentials. Licensed therapists include licensed clinical social workers (LCSW), licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT), licensed professional counselors (LPC), licensed clinical mental health counselors (LCMHC/LMHC) and psychologists.

Beyond their title, think about experience. Has this therapist worked with the kind of mental health challenges you're facing? Their approach and style matter too, since you'll want someone whose way of working feels right.

Don't forget the practical considerations. Cost, insurance, availability, and whether they meet in person or online may all affect whether therapy fits into your life.

Questions to ask before starting therapy

It's important to consider certain questions to ask your therapist that can aid in alleviating any curiosities or anxieties that may be present prior to initiating care. It may be important to ask:

Do you have experience with my specific concerns?
What therapy approaches or modalities do you use?
Are sessions available in a format that works for me, like video, phone, or chat?
Do you offer a sliding scale or accept insurance?

There are no wrong questions here. The goal is simply to find someone who feels like the right fit.

What are the benefits of online therapy?

Traditional therapy isn't always easy to access. Long wait times, limited local options, and busy schedules may get in the way before you even start. Online therapy may remove a lot of those hurdles.

How online therapy through BetterHelp may work

BetterHelp is an online therapy platform that connects people with over 30,000 licensed mental health professionals for support that fits into everyday life. Getting started is simple. You answer a few questions about your needs, and the matching system connects you with a licensed therapist, with an average match time of 24-48 hours. Once you have your therapy session, if the first match isn't quite right, you may switch at no extra cost.

Once matched, you may meet through video, phone, or live chat, and message your therapist between sessions. The platform may also provide mental health resources like worksheets and group sessions.

For those who qualify, financial assistance may be available, along with appointments. BetterHelp offers individual therapy for adults, with couples therapy available through Regain and teen counseling available through its sister platform, TeenCounseling.com, for teens aged 13–19 with parental consent.

Considerations when choosing an online therapy platform

Not all online therapy platforms are the same, so it's worth doing a little homework first. A few things to check include:

Therapist credentials: Confirm the platform's therapists are licensed and properly vetted.
What's offered: Understand which mental health services are and aren't available.
Discretion: Review how the platform handles your information and keeps sessions discreet.
The right fit: Make sure it matches the kind of mental health support you're looking for.

A few minutes here may help you feel confident you're choosing care that's right for you.

Frequently asked questions

Does BetterHelp match people with a licensed mental health professional?

Yes. BetterHelp connects adults with licensed, accredited therapists based on their needs, goals, and the concerns they want to work on.

Can you switch therapists if the first one isn't the right fit?

Yes. It is generally possible to change therapists, and finding the right fit may be an important part of the therapy process.

How long does therapy typically last?

The length of therapy may vary widely depending on a person's goals, needs, and the type of mental health support they are seeking.

<H3> Do you have to be in a mental health crisis to start therapy?

No. Many adults begin therapy as a proactive step toward better mental health, not only during a crisis.

Does therapy always involve talking about the past?

Not necessarily. Some therapy approaches may focus more on present behaviors and coping skills than on exploring past experiences.

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