What makes people go to therapy in the first place? How do I know if it’s the right decision?
People seek therapy for all kinds of reasons—adjusting to a major life change, coping with loss, or simply feeling overwhelmed by daily stress. Whatever brings you here, your reasons are valid, and you’re not alone.
Choosing to begin therapy is a personal decision. But if you’re feeling stuck, looking for clarity, or ready to make a meaningful change from the inside out, therapy can be a valuable and supportive step forward.
Let’s take a look at some common benefits:
- Grasping a deeper understanding of who you are
- Identify your goals and dreams
- Obtaining skills to improve your life and relationships
- Resolving the effects of trauma or other issues that brought you to therapy
- Improved coping with symptoms and problems
- Creating new patterns of behavior
- Growing in problem solving skills
- Improved health
- Increased sense of self efficacy and internal balance
What can I expect from therapy?
Just as everyone’s reasons for starting therapy are different, the experience itself looks different for each person. The good news is that therapy is designed to be individualized—what you get from it will be unique to you. Sessions often involve exploring your life, history, and personal insights in a way that’s tailored to your specific needs. Sometimes therapy is short-term and focused on a particular issue; other times, people attend regularly to work through deeper or ongoing challenges.
Therapy isn’t a quick fix or something passive. It’s an active, collaborative process. The more you engage with it, the more meaningful the results can be. It’s about learning new tools and perspectives—and then applying them in your daily life. Being open and ready for growth can make a big difference in the impact therapy has.
Why not just talk to my friend or family member?
Many people come to therapy thinking it’s just a place to talk or vent about their problems. While expressing your thoughts and emotions is part of the process, therapy offers so much more.
Therapy provides a safe, supportive space where you can explore your experiences, emotions, and behaviors in depth. You’ll receive comfort and understanding, but therapy also helps you gain clarity, self-awareness, and insight into the patterns that shape your life.
Unlike what you might get from a friend or family member, therapy offers professional, objective guidance that empowers you to develop the tools and skills necessary to face challenges and create lasting change. It’s not just about being listened to—it’s about being guided through a transformative process that encourages growth and meaningful progress.
How many session will I need?
The length of time in therapy can vary, depending on your goals, motivation, and needs. After your assessment, we’ll determine a personal treatment plan to address your needs. Some people come to therapy for a specific problem that is more short term. Whereas, some problems are more complex than others and take longer to heal. We will help you track your progress, and when you are ready to finish your sessions, we will celebrate with you and develop a plan to help you maintain what you’ve achieved. It is also important to know that you can stop or end therapy for any reason, at any time.
How does insurance factor into therapy?
Insurance plans vary—some provide mental health coverage, while others may not. The best way to determine if your plan covers mental health services is to contact your insurance provider directly. When you reach out, it’s helpful to ask about a few key details:
- Whether a referral is required
- What the coverage amounts are for therapy sessions
- Your specific copayment per session
- If a deductible applies
If your insurance does include mental health coverage, there are likely requirements that the services are deemed medically necessary. This will typically be assessed during your initial session.
Do the topics in each therapy session remain private?
Confidentiality is one of the most important foundations of therapy. A skilled therapist understands the deep trust it takes to open up and be vulnerable—and that trust is something built over time. Your privacy should be respected and protected throughout the therapeutic process. Before beginning therapy, your therapist should provide a confidentiality agreement, typically included in what’s called “informed consent.” This outlines your rights as a client and explains how your information will be handled.
You always have the choice to authorize your therapist to share information with other healthcare providers—but this can only occur with your written consent. Without that consent, everything you share in therapy remains confidential, with a few exceptions required by law and professional ethics. These exceptions include situations where there is reason to suspect abuse or neglect of a child, elderly adult, or person with a disability, or if your therapist believes you might be at risk to harm yourself or others. These guidelines are in place to ensure safety and are upheld by ethics and legal requirements.
Why is it important to work with a Level 1 trained IFS therapist? (For those interested in receiving Internal Family Systems therapy)
According to the IFS Institute, anyone who has not completed one or more levels of training by the Institute cannot effectively, and in good faith, practice IFS therapy.