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Therapy Starting Guide: Learn How to Get Professional Help

Prepared to reap the advantages therapy offers? Dive into our comprehensive, step-by-step tutorial on initiating therapy.

Navigating Therapy Begins: A Comprehensive Guide for You
Navigating Therapy Begins: A Comprehensive Guide for You

Therapy Starting Guide: Learn How to Get Professional Help

Starting therapy can be a daunting task, but it's an essential step towards improving your mental health. This guide provides steps for finding the right therapist, understanding costs and insurance options, and considering the type of therapy needed for your specific mental health concerns.

Finding the Right Therapist

The American Psychological Association (APA) stresses the importance of finding a therapist who fits your personality and with whom you feel comfortable. You can find the right therapist through recommendations, online research, asking your family doctor, or checking your health insurance's website for in-network therapists.

Understanding Costs and Insurance Options

Therapy costs can vary widely, but many therapists offer a sliding scale fee based on income. Insurance coverage and online therapy platforms may offer more affordable options. It's essential to consider whether the platform accepts insurance or offers affordable options.

Choosing the Right Type of Therapy

To choose the right type of online therapy for your mental health needs, start by identifying your specific concerns and goals. For example, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is structured and goal-oriented, good for anxiety, depression, stress, OCD, addiction, and helping change unhelpful thought patterns. On the other hand, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) blends mindfulness with behavior-change strategies and is helpful if you struggle with accepting difficult emotions.

Consider therapy platforms that provide specialists in your area of concern, such as OCD treatment, LGBTQ+-focused care, or couples therapy. If you prefer a particular modality or need specialized treatment, look for platforms or services with that focus.

Ensuring a Good Fit

Important factors to ensure a good fit include the therapist’s qualifications and licensing, the platform’s security and privacy protocols, comfort with the therapist, ability to set therapy goals, and the option to switch therapists if needed.

The Therapy Process

Your first therapy session will primarily involve giving background information to the therapist about why you want therapy and what your goals are. The therapist will explain their philosophy, process, and other expectations they have for your work together, including handling housekeeping items like their payment process and cancellation policy.

Therapy sessions are often once a week for an hour, but can vary based on the severity of your needs, your budget, the style of therapy you go with, and what the therapist suggests. Make sure that you come to your therapy sessions as open and vulnerable as your comfort level will allow.

Virtual Therapy Advantages

Virtual therapy can eliminate some of the awkwardness you might feel at a first in-person therapy session, making it easier for some individuals to open up and start their therapeutic journey.

Remember

Don't expect your therapist to have all of the answers, but rather see them as a guide to help you make better choices and healthier decisions. Therapy is a collaborative process, and your active participation and dedication are crucial for its success.

[1] https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy [2] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-digital-therapist/202006/how-to-choose-the-right-online-therapy-platform [3] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-digital-therapist/202007/how-to-find-the-right-online-therapist-for-you

  1. For individuals battling anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a structured and goal-oriented approach, could be an effective choice.
  2. In the quest for mental health improvement, it is imperative to find a licensed therapist that fits your personality and with whom you feel comfortable, possibly through recommendations, online research, or insurance websites.
  3. When considering therapy options, understanding costs and insurance coverage is crucial, as many therapists offer affordable services, and insurance or online platforms may provide more cost-effective alternatives.
  4. The American Psychological Association (APA) emphasizes the importance of assessing the platform's security and privacy protocols and ensuring a comfortable, open, and collaborative relationship with the licensed therapist.
  5. For couples seeking to improve their relationship, specialized online therapy platforms may offer couples therapy services, helping address relationship concerns within the context of science, health-and-wellness, and mental health.

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